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OPD Erfurt Stamps

Opd Erfurt, a historical entity within the German postal system, is located in Central Europe. Its postal history is intrinsically linked to the broader German states, particularly during the period of the North German Confederation and the German Empire, before the unification of the Reichspost.

Issued stamps
1945–1946
Region
Europe, Central Europe
Currency
RM
Languages
German
Issuer type
Local postal administration
Part of
Germany

About OPD Erfurt stamps

Stamps issued for this region would primarily feature German language and denominations relevant to the prevailing German currency systems of the time. As an administrative district rather than a sovereign nation, its postal issues reflect local needs within a larger national framework, often showing transitional characteristics related to regional postal authorities.

Further reading: Wikipedia

How to identify OPD Erfurt stamps

  1. Look for 'OPD Erfurt' or 'Erfurt' overprints on German stamps, particularly those from the Weimar Republic or Third Reich era.
  2. Examine the design for common German motifs, often with additional local markings or surcharges.
  3. Pay attention to the paper, watermarks (if any, from the underlying stamps), and perforation, as these can help distinguish genuine issues from forgeries.

Popular series

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
€0.50–€5
Scarce stamps
€50–€500+

Value depends heavily on condition, specific overprints, and whether they are on cover. Early provisional issues from this period can be quite scarce, especially those with errors or specific cancellations. Michel catalog is the primary reference for these issues.

Catalogs. OPD Erfurt 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 OPD Erfurt stamps

OPD Erfurt stamps are provisional postal issues from the Oberpostdirektion (Regional Postal Directorate) of Erfurt, Germany, used during the immediate post-World War II period (1945-1946) under Allied, specifically Soviet, occupation. They often consist of existing German stamps overprinted or surcharged for local use.

The value of OPD Erfurt stamps varies. Common issues can be relatively inexpensive, ranging from €0.50 to €5. However, rare varieties, specific overprints, errors, or stamps on original covers can fetch significantly higher prices, sometimes reaching €50 to over €500. Condition is a major factor in determining value.

To identify OPD Erfurt stamps, look for overprints or surcharges containing 'OPD Erfurt' or 'Erfurt' on stamps originally issued by Germany. Pay close attention to the specific text, font, and color of the overprint. Consulting a specialized catalog like Michel is crucial. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.

OPD Erfurt stamps are primarily listed in the Michel catalog, which is the standard reference for German and European philately. The Scott catalog also includes some of these issues, though often with less detail than Michel. Stanley Gibbons typically does not cover these highly localized provisional issues in depth.

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