Thuringen Stamps
Thuringia, or Thuringen, is a landlocked state located in central Germany, part of the European continent. Its postal history is deeply integrated with the broader German postal system, evolving through the German Empire, Weimar Republic, Nazi era, and subsequent division and reunification, though it briefly issued its own stamps as a collection of sovereign states before 1900.
- Issued stamps
- 1945–1946
- Region
- Europe, Central Europe
- Currency
- RM
- Languages
- German
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Germany
About Thuringen stamps
Stamps from this region predominantly feature the German language, reflecting its central European location. The administrative landscape of Thuringia has seen significant transitions, particularly following the establishment of the German Democratic Republic and its later incorporation into the unified Federal Republic of Germany.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify Thuringen stamps
- Look for 'Thuringen' or 'Thüringen' overprints on German stamps, especially the Posthorn series.
- Examine the designs featuring the Thuringian coat of arms or local personalities/monuments.
- Check for watermarks (often 'Waffle' or 'Crosses and Rings') and perforation details, as these can distinguish issues.
Popular series
-
Local Issues (Posthorn, Thuringen overprint)
1945
Provisional local issues with 'Thuringen' overprints on German stamps, primarily featuring the Posthorn design, used during the immediate post-war period.
-
Thuringen Coat of Arms
1945-1946
Definitive issues featuring the Thuringian coat of arms, printed locally to meet postal needs before unified issues for the Soviet Occupation Zone.
-
Personalities and Monuments
1946
A series depicting local personalities and significant monuments, reflecting the cultural identity of Thuringia during this transitional period.
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+
Common stamps are inexpensive, especially used. Mint never hinged examples and certain varieties (e.g., specific overprint types, errors, or early printings) can command significantly higher prices. Complete sets are more valuable than individual stamps.
Catalogs. Thuringen 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 Thuringen stamps
Thuringen stamps refer to the provisional postal issues released in the German state of Thuringia during the immediate post-World War II period, specifically from 1945 to 1946, under Soviet occupation. These stamps were issued to restore postal services before unified issues for the Soviet Occupation Zone became available.
The value of Thuringen stamps varies. Common used stamps are generally inexpensive, often ranging from €0.50 to €5. However, mint never hinged examples, specific overprint varieties, errors, and complete sets can be quite valuable, potentially fetching €50 to over €500, depending on rarity and condition.
To identify Thuringen stamps, look for the 'Thuringen' or 'Thüringen' overprint on existing German stamps (like the Posthorn series) or designs featuring the Thuringian coat of arms or local figures. Pay attention to the watermark, perforation, and printing details. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Thuringen stamps are comprehensively listed in major philatelic catalogs. The Michel catalog (Germany Spezial) provides detailed listings, varieties, and valuations. Scott and Stanley Gibbons also include these issues, though often with less detail than Michel.
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.