St. Helena Stamps
St. Helena is a remote volcanic island territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, geographically part of the African continent's sphere of influence.
- Issued stamps
- 1856–present
- Region
- Africa, Southern Africa
- Currency
- GBP
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- United Kingdom
About St. Helena stamps
As a British Overseas Territory, its postal history is deeply rooted in the British postal system, with stamps primarily denominated in Pounds Sterling or Pence until decimalization. The official language is English, which is consistently reflected on its philatelic issues, including those for its dependencies, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The territory's long history as a crucial mid-Atlantic waypoint for the British Empire is a recurring theme in its stamp production.
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.
- ST. HELENA
- ST. HELENA & ASCENSION
How to identify St. Helena stamps
- Look for 'ST. HELENA' or 'ST. HELENA & ASCENSION' as the country name.
- Early issues often feature portraits of British monarchs (Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI, Elizabeth II) or the colonial badge.
- Denominations are typically in Pence and Shillings, later decimalized to Pounds.
- Watermarks (e.g., Crown CC, Crown CA, Multiple Crown Script CA) are crucial for identifying specific printings and varieties of early issues.
Popular series
-
Queen Victoria 'Chalon Head'
1856-1880
The iconic first issue, featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria based on Alfred Edward Chalon's painting, often found imperforate or with various perforations.
-
King George V 'Badge of the Colony'
1912-1937
A long-running definitive series depicting King George V and the colonial badge, often with different watermarks and printings.
-
Tercentenary of Discovery
1902
A commemorative set marking 300 years since the island's discovery, featuring historical scenes and portraits.
-
Flora and Fauna Definitives
Various
Numerous definitive series throughout the 20th and 21st centuries showcasing the unique endemic plants and animals of St. Helena.
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–£10
- Scarce stamps
- £100–£5,000+
Early issues, especially imperforate or rare varieties of the 'Chalon Head' and early King George V definitives, can be quite valuable. Later commemorative sets are generally affordable, though complete sets in fine condition hold more value. Errors and specific overprints are highly sought after.
Catalogs. St. Helena 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 St. Helena stamps
St. Helena stamps are postage stamps issued by the British Overseas Territory of St. Helena, a remote volcanic island in the South Atlantic. Their postal history began in 1856 and is closely tied to the British postal system, reflecting its status as a crucial mid-Atlantic waypoint.
The value of St. Helena stamps varies significantly. Early issues, particularly the Queen Victoria 'Chalon Head' stamps and certain varieties of King George V definitives, can be quite valuable, ranging from £100 to over £5,000 for rare examples. More common later issues are generally affordable, typically priced between £0.50 and £10. Condition, rarity, and specific varieties play a major role in determining value.
St. Helena stamps are identified by the inscription 'ST. HELENA' or 'ST. HELENA & ASCENSION' (for joint issues). Key features include portraits of British monarchs, the colonial badge, and often depictions of the island's unique flora, fauna, or historical events. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
St. Helena stamps are comprehensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. Collectors can find detailed information, including varieties and values, in the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalog, the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, and the Michel catalog.
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.