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Norwegian Stamps

Definitives of 1855-1878

Imperforate definitive Norwegian stamps were first issued in 1855.  The first perforated stamps of Norway were issued in 1856.

The stamps issued between 1855 and 1868 are all denominated in Norwegian Specie Dalers (120 Skilling = 1 Specie Daler).

The stamps issued after 1872 are all denominated in Norwegian Kroner (100 Øre = 1 Krone).

During the period from 1855 to 1878, the Kingdom of Norway had three ruling monarchs, though only two of them were ever depicted on definitive Norwegian postage stamps.  They were actually kings of Sweden, but due to the Swedish-Norwegian Union of 1814, they also ruled as Kings of Norway.  Norway did have its own parliament and internal self-government, but the head of state (for foreign affairs) was the Swedish-Norwegian monarch.  These dual monarchs were:

  • King Oscar I (Lived: 1799-1859, Reigned: 1844-1859)
  • King Charles IV (Lived: 1826-1872, Reigned: 1859-1872)
  • King Oscar II (Lived: 1829-1907, Reigned: 1872-1905)


The 4 S. denomination definitive stamp shown above was issued in 1855.  These Norwegian stamps feature the Norwegian Coat of Arms.  They were typographed, imperforate, and they were printed on paper with WMK 159 - the negative lion watermark.

The Scott catalog details are as follows:

  • 04 S.  (1855 - Sc. #1) - Blue.

Reprints of this stamp were made in 1914 and 1924 on unwatermarked paper.



The four definitive Norwegian stamps shown above were issued in 1855 and in 1857.  These Norwegian stamps feature the left-facing profile of King Oscar I.  They were typographed, perforated 13, and unwatermarked.

The Scott catalog details are as follows:

  • 02 S.  (1857 - Sc. #2) - Yellow, Orange.
  • 03 S.  (1857 - Sc. #3) - Lilac.
  • 04 S.  (1856 - Sc. #4) - Blue, Blackish Blue, Greenish Blue, Pale Greenish Blue.
  • 08 s.  (1856 - Sc. #5) - Dull Lake, Lilac Red.

Reprints of these Norwegian stamps were made in 1914 and 1924.  The reprints are perforated 13 1/2.



The five definitive Norwegian stamps shown above were issued in 1863.  These stamps feature the Norwegian Coat of Arms.  They were lithographed, perforated 14 1/2 x 13 1/2, and unwatermarked.

There are multiple types of each of these stamps which are described in the specialized catalogs.

The Scott catalog details are as follows:

  • 02 S.  (1863 - Sc. #6) - Yellow.
  • 03 S.  (1863 - Sc. #7) - Gray Lilac.
  • 04 S.  (1863 - Sc. #8) - Blue, Greenish Blue, Dark Blue.
  • 08 S.  (1863 - Sc. #9) - Rose.
  • 24 S.  (1863 - Sc. #10) - Brown, Dark Brown, Reddish Brown.



The five definitive Norwegian stamps shown above were issued between 1867 and 1868.  These stamps feature the Norwegian Coat of Arms.  They were typographed, perforated 14 1/2 x 13 1/2, and unwatermarked.

There are multiple production varieties of several of these stamps which are noted in the catalog detail table below.

The Scott catalog details are as follows:

  • 01 S.  (1868 - Coarse Impression - Sc. #11) - Black.
  • 01 S.  (1868 - Fine Impression - Sc. #11a) - Dark Gray.
  • 02 S.  (1867 - Sc. #12) - Orange, Bright Yellow Orange.
  • 03 S.  (1868 - Coarse Impression - Sc. #13) - Dull Lilac.
  • 03 S.  (1868 - Fine Impression - Sc. #13a) - Reddish Violet.
  • 04 S.  (1867 - Thin Paper -  Sc. #14) - Blue.
  • 04 S.  (1867 - Thick Paper - Sc. #14a) - Greenish Blue.
  • 08 S.  (1867 - Coarse Impression - Sc. #15) - Carmine Rose.
  • 08 S.  (1867 - Fine Impression - Sc. #15a) - Rose.



The six definitive lower-denomination Norwegian stamps shown above were issued between 1872 and 1875.  These new Norwegian stamps feature a crowned Post Horn, with the denomination numeral in the center.  They were typographed, perforated 14 1/2 x 13 1/2, and they were printed on paper with WMK 160 - the Post Horn watermark.

These new definitive Norwegian stamps would go through many production changes, but they would remain the basic design for most of the lower denomination definitive postage stamps of Norway for the next 120 years!

There are multiple types of each of these stamps which are described in the specialized catalogs.  Their production varieties are noted in the catalog detail table below.

The Scott catalog details are as follows:

  • 01 S.  (1875 - Coarse Impression - Sc. #16) - Yellow Green.
  • 01 S.  (1873 - Fine Impression - Sc. #16c) - Blue Green.
  • 02 S.  (1874 - Sc. #17) - Ultramarine, Prussian Blue, Gray Blue.
  • 03 S.  (1872 - Thick Paper - Sc. #18) - Rose, Carmine.
  • 03 S.  (1872 - Thin Paper - Sc. #18b) - Carmine on Bluish.
  • 04 S.  (1873 - Thick Paper - Sc. #19c) - Violet.
  • 04 S.  (1873 - Thin Paper - Sc. #19) - Lilac, Dark Violet on Bluish, Brown Violet on Bluish.
  • 06 S.  (1875 - Sc. #20) - Orange Brown.
  • 07 S.  (1873 - Sc. #21) - Red Brown.



The thirteen definitive Norwegian stamps shown above were issued between 1877 and 1878.  The lower-denomination stamps feature sans-serif lettering, a crowned Post Horn with shaded rings, and the denomination numeral in the center.  The three high-denomination stamps feature the portrait of King Oscar II.

There are multiple types and re-entries of many of these stamps which are described in the specialized catalogs.

The Scott catalog details are as follows:

  • 01 Ø.  (1877 - Sc. #22) - Drab.
  • 03 Ø.  (1877 - Sc. #23) - Orange.
  • 05 Ø.  (1877 - Sc. #24) - Ultramarine, Dull Blue, Bright Blue, Prussian Blue.
  • 10 Ø.  (1877 - Sc. #25) - Rose.
  • 12 Ø.  (1877 - Sc. #26) - Light Green.
  • 20 Ø.  (1877 - Sc. #27) - Orange Brown.
  • 25 Ø.  (1877 - Sc. #28) - Lilac.
  • 35 Ø.  (1878 - Sc. #29) - Blue Green.
  • 50 Ø.  (1877 - Sc. #30) - Maroon.
  • 60 Ø.  (1878 - Sc. #31) - Dark Blue, Pale Steel Blue.
  • 01 K.  (1878 - Sc. #32) - Gray Green & Green.
  • 01.50 K.  (1878 - Sc. #33) - Ultramarine & Blue.
  • 02 K.  (1878 - Sc. #34) - Rose & Maroon.




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Norwegian Postage Stamps

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Norwegian Stamps - Definitives of 1855-1878





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WMK 159
Lion
(1855)

WMK 160
Post Horn
(From 1872)

Two paper watermarks were used for Norway stamps between 1855 and 1878, and they are both shown above.  They will be referred to by their WMK number and name in the text descriptions.