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Bosnia Herzegovina

Issues of 1879-1904



The first Bosnia Herzegovina stamps were produced in 1879.   These stamps are all lithographed and "partially" watermarked.

From 1879 to 1889, the printing paper was watermarked large double-lined capital letters "BRIEF-MARKEN" across the middle of the sheet.  From 1890, the printing paper was watermarked large double-lined capital letters "ZEITUNGS-MARKEN" across the middle of the sheet.



The nine major-type Bosnia Herzegovina stamps shown above (Mi. #1-9, Sc. #1-10) were issued between 1879 and 1894.

These designs feature the coat of arms and denomination tablets in the upper corners.  The currency used from 1879 to 1900 was 100 Novcica (Neukreuzer) = 1 Florin (Gulden).

These first stamps come in three types and in numerous shades.  As with the Austrian postage stamps of this period, these issues also come in a number of different perforation gauges, ranging from gauge 9 to gauge 13 1/2, as well as with compound perforation gauges

Anyone wishing to specialize in this series, reference to a Michel or Netto specialized catalog for is a necessity.



The fourteen major-type Bosnia Herzegovina stamps shown above (Mi. #10-23, Sc. #11-24) were issued between 1900 and 1901.

These new stamps have denominations expressed in the new Austrian currency, that is, 100 Heller = 1 Krone.  The same coat of arms designs were utilized, but the denomination numeral tablets of the lower denominations were now moved to the bottom corners of the design

As with the Austrian postage stamps of this period, these issues also come in a number of different perforation gauges, ranging from gauge 10 1/2 to gauge 13 1/2, as well as with compound perforation gauges

Anyone wishing to specialize in this series, reference to a Michel or Netto specialized catalog for is a necessity.

The 20 H., 40 H., and 50 H. denominations from the first printings of these new stamps are very scarce.  These three denominations were reprinted in 1911 in lighter colors and on whiter paper than the originals, and they are all very common.  The originals are shown in the scan above.



The six major-type Bosnia Herzegovina stamps shown above (Mi. #14-28, Sc. #15-27) were issued between 1901 and 1905.  Both shades of the 25 H. denomination are shown in the image.  The ultramarine shade is scarce.  All of these stamps are perforated 12 1/2.

The designs are identical to the previous issue, except that the denomination numerals are now printed in black ink on a clear background.



The thirteen major-type postage due stamps shown above (Mi. PORTO #1-13, Sc. #J1-13) were issued during 1904

These stamps come with perforation 12 1/2, perforation 12 1/2 x 13, perforation 13 1/4 x 13, perforation 10 1/2, perforation 9 1/4, perforation 6 1/4, compound perforations, and imperforate.  Please refer to the Michel, Netto, or Scott Classic Specialized catalogs for details.





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Bosnia Herzegovina - Issues of 1879-1904





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