New Britain Stamps
New Britain is a large island located in the Bismarck Archipelago of Oceania, north of Papua New Guinea. Its postal history is intrinsically linked to its colonial administration, initially under German rule, followed by Australian control after World War I, and later as part of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.
- Issued stamps
- 1914–1915
- Region
- Oceania, Melanesia
- Currency
- AUD
- Languages
- English, German
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Australia
About New Britain stamps
Stamps issued for New Britain often feature English and sometimes German or local languages, reflecting these administrative shifts. The island's postal services were integrated into the broader administration of the territory, with distinct issues ceasing upon the formation of independent Papua New Guinea.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- G.R.I.
How to identify New Britain stamps
- Look for 'G.R.I.' overprints, often with new Australian currency values (e.g., '1d.', '2d.', '1/-').
- Stamps are typically German colonial issues, especially those depicting the Kaiser's yacht 'Hohenzollern' or the 'Reichsadler' (Imperial Eagle).
Popular series
-
German New Guinea Overprints
1914
Stamps of German New Guinea overprinted 'G.R.I.' (Georgius Rex Imperator) and new values in Australian currency, issued during the Australian occupation.
-
Kaiser's Yacht 'Hohenzollern' Overprints
1914-1915
German colonial stamps featuring the Kaiser's yacht, overprinted 'G.R.I.' and new values for use in New Britain.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$1,000+
Values vary significantly based on the specific overprint, condition, and whether they are mint or used. Early occupation issues, especially those with scarce overprint varieties, command higher prices. Forgeries of overprints exist, so expertization is recommended for valuable items.
Catalogs. New Britain stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about New Britain stamps
New Britain stamps are issues used during the Australian occupation of the German colony of New Guinea, specifically the island of New Britain, from 1914 to 1915. They primarily consist of German colonial stamps overprinted with 'G.R.I.' and new Australian currency denominations.
Yes, many New Britain stamps can be valuable, particularly those with rare overprint varieties, good centering, and in fine condition. Prices can range from a few dollars for common issues to hundreds or even thousands of dollars for rare examples. The historical context of these occupation issues adds to their philatelic interest and value.
To identify New Britain stamps, look for the distinctive 'G.R.I.' (Georgius Rex Imperator) overprint, often accompanied by new values in Australian currency (e.g., '1d', '2d', '1/-'). These overprints are found on stamps originally issued for German New Guinea. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
New Britain stamps are comprehensively listed in major stamp catalogs such as Scott (under 'New Britain' or 'German New Guinea - Australian Occupation'), Michel (under 'Deutsch-Neuguinea - Australische Besetzung'), and Stanley Gibbons (under 'New Britain').
Not sure where
it's from?
Photograph the stamp and Stamp Identifier names the issuer, the year and the series. One identification every 24 hours is free; prices and listings need Premium.