Custom Search

Iceland Stamps

Definitives of 1873-1901

The definitive Iceland stamps of 1873-1901 are very similar in design and complexity to the Danish definitive postage stamps of this same period.  However, the first stamps of Iceland are a mixture of mono-colored and bi-colored types, and there are no inverted frame varieties to contend with.

Only the major denominations and colors will be shown in the images on this page.  The many production varieties of these Iceland stamps will be noted in the catalog description detail tables.

The five new definitive Iceland stamps shown above were issued during  1873.  These stamps are all denominated in Danish Rigsbank Dalers (96 Skilling = 1 Rigsbank Daler).

The central part of the design of these new Icelandic stamps consists of an oval, containing inscriptions, a wreath, and a crowned-circle with the denomination.  Around this oval is an ornate outer frame. 

The Daler denominated stamps were not valid after July 1876.  Favor cancellations were applied to some of them, beginning in 1882.  These favor cancels have sans-serif letters and dates with lines between the month and day.  Used stamps with these favor cancels are worth far less than those with contemporary cancellations during their period of use.

The Scott catalog description details, for the Daler denominated Iceland stamps, are as follows:

• 02 S.  (1873 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #1) - Ultramarine.
• 04 S.  (1873 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #2) - Dark Carmine.
• 08 S.  (1873 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #3) - Brown.
• 16 S.  (1873 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #4) - Yellow.
  
  
• 03 S.  (1873 - Perf. 12 1/2 - Sc. #5) - Gray.
• 04 S.  (1873 - Perf. 12 1/2 - Sc. #6) - Carmine.
• 16 S.  (1873 - Perf. 12 1/2 - Sc. #7) - Yellow.
  
  
• 02 S.  (1873 - Imperf. - Sc. #1a) - Ultramarine.
• 03 S.  (1873 - Imperf. - Sc. #5a) - Gray.
• 04 S.  (1873 - Imperf. - Sc. #2a) - Dark Carmine.
• 16 S.  (1873 - Imperf. - Sc. #4a) - Yellow.
  
  
  

The fourteen major-type definitive Iceland stamps shown above were issued between 1876 and 1901.  These stamps are all denominated in Danish Kroner (100 Aurar (Øre) = 1 Krone).

The Scott catalog description details, for the Kroner denominated Iceland stamps, are as follows:

• 005 A.  (1876 - Perf. 12 1/2 - Sc. #8) - Blue.
  
  
• 003 A.  (1882 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #15) - Orange.
  
• 005 A.  (1876 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #9) - Blue.
• 005 A.  (1882 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #16) - Green.
• 006 A.  (1876 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #10) - Gray.
• 010 A.  (1876 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #11) - Carmine.
• 016 A.  (1876 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #12) - Brown.
• 020 A.  (1876 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #13) - Dark Violet.
• 020 A.  (1882 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #17) - Blue, Ultramarine.
  
• 040 A.  (1876 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #14) - Green.
• 040 A.  (1882 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #18) - Red Violet.
• 050 A.  (1892 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #19) - Blue & Carmine.
• 100 A.  (1892 - Perf. 14 x 13 1/2 - Sc. #20) - Brown & Violet.
  
  
• 003 A.  (1897 - Perf. 13, Small "3" - Sc. #21) - Orange.
• 003 A.  (1901 - Perf. 13, Large "3" - Sc. #22) - Yellow.
• 004 A.  (1899 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #23) - Rose & Gray.
• 005 A.  (1896 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #24) - Green.
• 006 A.  (1897 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #25) - Gray.
• 010 A.  (1897 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #26) - Carmine.
• 016 A.  (1896 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #27) - Brown
• 020 A.  (1898 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #28) - Blue, Ultramarine.
  
• 025 A.  (1900 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #29) - Yellow Brown & Blue.
• 040 A.  (1898 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #18a) - Red Violet (Rare).
  
• 050 A.  (1898 - Perf. 13 - Sc. #30) - Blue & Carmine.
  
  
  

Large Re-valuation "þrír" 6.1 to 6.3 mm wide and 3.5 mm tall

Small Re-valuation "þrír" 5.5 to 5.6 mm wide and 3.1 mm tall

In 1897, there was a shortage of 3 Aur. denomination postage stamps in Iceland, as new supplies had not yet been received.

The 5 Aur. denomination postage stamps were provisionally re-valued with "þrír" (three) in black and "3" in red.  Later provisional varieties omitted the red "3".  All of the cataloged varieties are described and shown above.

Their catalog description attributes are as follows:

• 03 A. on 05 A.  (1897 - Lg. "þrír" + "3" - Sc. #31).
• 03 A. on 05 A.  (1897 - Sm. "þrír" + "3" - Sc. #32).
  
  
• 03 A. on 05 A.  (1897 - Lg. "þrír" - Sc. #33).
• 03 A. on 05 A.  (1897 - Sm. "þrír" - Sc. #33A).
  
  

As with any overprinted stamps that are very valuable, forgeries of these re-valuations are abundant.  One should use extreme care, when buying any of these stamps that are not properly authenticated. 

The images shown above are from major auction sites, and these stamps have been authenticated.

eBay Auction and Store Links
Iceland Postage Stamps

The following links feature category-focused affiliated seller listings on various eBay sites worldwide. They may enable visitors to shop for and to buy specific items for the particular collecting subject they've just read about. 

The affiliated eBay seller auction lots provided by eBay, Inc. are not the responsibility of the management of this website.  On high priced material, make sure the lots you are buying are properly authenticated.

Remember that the lots on European eBay sites are priced in EUROS or in POUNDS.  Shipping charges may be more, and the lots may take longer to arrive.  Also, make sure the foreign seller ships to your country, before bidding on or buying his lot.

Return to Stamps of Iceland from
Iceland Stamps - Definitives of 1873-1901

---

Stamp-Collecting-World.com

Serving Philatelists and Stamp Collectors Since 2010

Webmaster --- David H. Aeschliman, APS, AHPS

---