Sinkiang Stamps
Sinkiang, officially known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, is a vast, historically significant territory located in Northwest China, bordering Central Asia. Its postal history is complex, primarily falling under the administration of the Republic of China and later the People's Republic of China, though periods of warlord control and brief independence complicated early issues.
- Issued stamps
- 1915–1949
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Currency
- CNY
- Languages
- Chinese, Uyghur
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
- Part of
- China
About Sinkiang stamps
Stamps from this region often feature Chinese characters, reflecting the dominant administrative language, alongside local Turkic languages in certain historical contexts. The region's remote location and shifting political allegiances meant that postal services were often sporadic or subject to external control until firm integration into the national postal system.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify Sinkiang stamps
- Look for Chinese characters and sometimes Uyghur script overprints or designs on stamps that are otherwise Chinese in origin.
- Examine the currency denominations, which often reflect local Sinkiang currency rather than standard national Chinese currency.
- Pay attention to the specific type of overprint (e.g., 'Sinkiang' in Chinese characters, new values) and its placement.
Popular series
-
Sinkiang Surcharges on Chinese Stamps
1915-1920s
Chinese stamps overprinted with local Sinkiang currency values, often in both Chinese and Uyghur scripts, reflecting the region's distinct monetary system.
-
Sinkiang Local Issues
1930s-1940s
Stamps specifically designed and issued for use within Sinkiang, sometimes featuring local imagery or distinct designs from national issues.
-
Sinkiang Provisional Issues
1940s
Emergency or provisional stamps issued during periods of political instability or isolation, often characterized by crude printing or local overprints.
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
- $1–$20
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$5,000+
Values vary significantly based on the specific issue, overprint, condition, and rarity. Early surcharges and provisional issues, especially those with rare varieties or errors, can command high prices. Common Chinese stamps used in Sinkiang without local overprints are generally of lower value.
Catalogs. Sinkiang 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 Sinkiang stamps
Sinkiang stamps are postage stamps issued for or used within the Sinkiang (Xinjiang) region of Northwest China, primarily between 1915 and 1949. These often include Chinese national stamps overprinted with local Sinkiang currency values or specific local issues reflecting the region's unique postal history and political circumstances.
The value of Sinkiang stamps varies widely. While many common issues can be found for a few dollars, rare surcharges, provisional issues, and stamps with specific varieties or errors can be highly valuable, fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Condition plays a significant role in determining value.
To identify Sinkiang stamps, look for overprints in Chinese characters (and sometimes Uyghur script) indicating local currency values or the region's name on Chinese stamps. Some issues are distinct local designs. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Sinkiang stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons, typically within the China section or as a distinct sub-category due to their unique regional status.
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