Singapore Stamps
Singapore is an island city-state located in Maritime Southeast Asia, strategically positioned near the Strait of Malacca. Its postal history is deeply rooted in its status as a British Crown Colony and a key hub of the Straits Settlements, leading to early issues under British colonial administration.
- Issued stamps
- 1948–present
- Region
- Asia, Southeast Asia
- Currency
- SGD
- Languages
- English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
- Issuer type
- Modern postal administration
About Singapore stamps
Stamps predominantly feature English, reflecting its primary language of commerce, alongside Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. Following its separation from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore established its own independent postal authority, marking a significant transition in its philatelic identity.
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.
- SINGAPORE
How to identify Singapore stamps
- Look for 'SINGAPORE' clearly printed on the stamp.
- Early issues (1948-1960s) often feature British monarchs (George VI, Elizabeth II).
- Post-independence stamps (from 1965 onwards) frequently depict local flora, fauna, cultural scenes, and national landmarks.
- Watermarks (e.g., multiple script CA, St. Edward's Crown) can be crucial for identifying early issues and varieties.
Popular series
-
Definitives (King George VI)
1948-1952
The first definitive series issued for Singapore after its establishment as a separate Crown Colony, featuring King George VI.
-
Definitives (Queen Elizabeth II)
1955-1967
A long-running definitive series featuring Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting Singapore's continued ties to the British Commonwealth before full independence.
-
Orchids Definitives
1962-1970s
One of Singapore's most iconic and beautiful definitive series, showcasing various orchid species, which are a national symbol.
-
National Day Commemoratives
Annually from 1966
Regular issues commemorating Singapore's National Day, often depicting national symbols, achievements, and cultural aspects.
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–$5,000+
Early issues from the Straits Settlements period and the first Singapore Crown Colony issues can be quite valuable, especially in mint condition or with rare cancellations. Later modern issues are generally affordable, with higher values for complete sets, errors, or specific commemorative issues.
Catalogs. Singapore 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 Singapore stamps
Singapore stamps are postage stamps issued by the postal authority of Singapore, an island city-state in Southeast Asia. They reflect its history as a British Crown Colony, part of the Straits Settlements, and its independent status since 1965.
The value of Singapore stamps varies significantly. Early issues from the Straits Settlements and the initial Crown Colony period (1948-1960s) can be quite valuable, especially rare varieties, errors, or high-denomination stamps in fine condition. More modern commemorative and definitive issues are generally affordable, but complete sets or specific thematic collections can hold good value. Rare stamps can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
You can identify Singapore stamps by looking for the country name 'SINGAPORE' printed on them. Early issues often feature British monarchs, while later stamps showcase local themes like orchids, wildlife, architecture, and cultural events. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Singapore stamps are comprehensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, Michel (especially for Asian issues), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue, which is particularly strong for early colonial issues.
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.