German Empire
Germania Issue - 1902
 The "DFUTSCHES REICH" Error
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 Block of Four with the LR Stamp
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The German Empire, at the beginning of
April 1902, re-issued the Germania series of 1900, with the inscription
being changed from "REICHSPOST" (Imperial Postage) to "DEUTSCHES REICH" (State of Germany). Otherwise, the stamps are identical to those issued during 1900.
The "DFUTSCHES" error on the 3 Pf. denomination stamp, illustrated above, is actually very inexpensive. In the 2018 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalog, a mint, lightly hinged example catalogs less than US $10.
The fourteen German Empire Germania and Representative Subjects stamps shown above were issued between 1902 and 1904. All of
these stamps were printed on unwatermarked paper.
The new 2 Mk.
denomination had the inscription in script-type lettering, different
from all the other denominations in the set. This particular
denomination was recalled, after having been on sale in post offices for
only about a month. Today, mint examples of this 2 Mk. denomination stamp are moderately priced, whereas postally used examples are much more expensive.
In May of 1902, the 2 Mk. was again issued, with the same block-type font used on the other denominations.
This re-issued 2 Mark stamp, due to its short period of usage, about 2 years, is actually worth more in mint condition than the original version mentioned above.
The Mark values of this German Empire series, except for
the recalled 2 Mark script-type lettering variety, exist with two
different types of perforations.
The first type (Michel Type A), created in early 1902,
had 26 perforation holes on the top and bottom of the stamps and 17
perforation holes on the sides of the stamps.
The second type (Michel Type B), created
between late 1902 and 1904, had 25 perforation holes on the top and
bottom of the stamps, and 16 perforation holes on the sides of the
stamps.
The Michel-listed type B varieties are much scarcer. The 2 Mk. stamp above and to the left is
Type A. The 2 Mk. stamp above and to the right is Type B.
Due to the short period of usage of this German Empire set, before being replaced by the same types on watermarked paper in 1905, mint examples are quite expensive. Used examples are more common and are reasonably priced.
The Pfennig denominations of this set exist imperforate. They are not unreasonably expensive. Some of the Pfennig denominations come in different shades, with some being very expensive, especially those of the 20 Pf. denomination.
The Mark denominations of this set also exist imperforate, and they are all quite expensive.
The catalog attributes, for the 1902-1904 issues, are as follows.
- 02 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #68, Sc. #65C) - Gray.
- 03 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #69, Sc. #66) - Brown, Yellow Brown.
- 05 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #70, Sc. #67) - Green, Deep Blue Green.
- 10 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #71, Sc. #68) - Carmine.
- 20 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #72, Sc. #69) - Ultramarine, Violet Blue, Gray Blue.
- 25 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #73, Sc. #70) - Orange & Black on Yellow.
- 30 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #74, Sc. #71) - Orange & Black on Salmon.
- 40 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #75, Sc. #72) - Lake & Black.
- 50 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #76, Sc. #73) - Purple & Black on Salmon.
- 80 Pf. (1902 - Mi. #77, Sc. #74) - Lake & Black on Rose.
- 01 Mk. (1902 - 26 x 17 - Mi. #78A, Sc. #75) - Carmine Rose.
- 01 Mk. (1902 - 25 x 16 - Mi. #78B, Sc. #75b) - Carmine Rose.
- 02 Mk. (1902 - "Script" - Mi. #79A, Sc. #76) - Gray Blue.
- 02 Mk. (1902 - 26 x 17 - Mi. #82A, Sc. #79) - Gray Blue.
- 02 Mk. (1902 - 25 x 16 - Mi. #82B, Sc. #79b) - Gray Blue.
- 03 Mk. (1902 - 26 x 17 - Mi. #80A, Sc. #77) - Black Violet.
- 03 Mk. (1904 - 25 x 16 - Mi. #80B, Sc. #77b) - Black Violet.
- 05 Mk. (1902 - 26 x 17 - Mi. #81A, Sc. #78) - Slate & Carmine.
- 05 Mk. (1902 - 25 x 16 - Mi. #81B, Sc. #78b) - Slate & Carmine.
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Germania Issue - 1902
