Occupied Berlin (Opd Berlin) Stamps
Opd Berlin, or Occupied Berlin, refers to the sectorized administration of the German capital following World War II, situated within the Soviet occupation zone of Germany in Central Europe. Its postal history is defined by the Allied Control Council's division into four sectors (American, British, French, and Soviet), leading to distinct postal administrations issuing stamps for their respective zones.
- Issued stamps
- 1945–1945
- Region
- Europe, Western Europe
- Currency
- RM
- Languages
- German
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Germany
History and background
Stamps from these sectors predominantly feature German language, often reflecting the specific Allied power's influence or administrative needs until the formal division of the city. This period of divided postal control ended with the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic, profoundly altering Berlin's postal landscape.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for 'Berlin' or 'Deutsche Post' inscriptions, often with overprints indicating the Allied Control Council or specific sector administration.
- Pay attention to watermarks and perforations, as these can differentiate between issues and printings.
- Examine the designs for post-war motifs, such as rubble, reconstruction, or symbolic imagery of a new beginning.
Popular series
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Allied Occupation Issues
1945
Stamps issued under the authority of the Allied Control Council for use in all sectors of Berlin, often featuring overprints or specific designs reflecting the immediate post-war administration.
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–€500+
Values vary significantly based on specific issue, condition, and whether they are mint or used. Early overprints and errors can command higher prices. Complete sets are often more valuable.
Catalogs. Occupied Berlin (Opd Berlin) 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 Occupied Berlin (Opd Berlin) stamps
Occupied Berlin stamps refer to the postal issues used in the sectorized German capital immediately following World War II in 1945, under the administration of the Allied Control Council. These stamps were used across the American, British, French, and Soviet sectors before more distinct postal administrations emerged.
The value of Occupied Berlin stamps varies. Common issues can be found for a few euros, while rare varieties, specific overprints, errors, or stamps in pristine condition can fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros. Factors like condition, rarity, and historical significance play a crucial role in their market value.
To identify Occupied Berlin stamps, look for inscriptions like 'Berlin' or 'Deutsche Post' often accompanied by overprints or specific designs from 1945. Consulting a specialized stamp catalog like Michel or Scott is highly recommended. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Occupied Berlin stamps are extensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (often under Germany, Allied Occupation), the Michel Deutschland-Katalog, and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue (under Germany).
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