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Stamps of Finland

Definitives of 1917-1929

The definitive stamps of Finland, issued between 1917 and 1929, reflect their transition from a Russian Grand Duchy to an independent parliamentary republic.

These new definitive stamps are very similar in their fabric and dimensions to the former Russian Imperial stamps, however these stamps feature the Coat of Arms of Finland, and they are inscribed SUOMI / FINLAND.



There are actually only sixteen different denominations in this new definitive stamp series.  But, due to their long period of usage, color changes necessitated the repetition of some of the denominations.

The twenty-seven major-type definitive stamps of Finland shown above were issued between 1917 and 1929.  They are printed on unwatermarked paper, and they are perforated 14 or perforated 14 1/4 x 14 3/4.  This group of stamps is referred to as the Helsinki Issue.

The Scott catalog attributes are as follows.

  • 05 P.  (1917 - Sc. #83) - Green.
  • 05 P.  (1919 - Sc. #84) - Gray.
  • 10 P.  (1917 - Sc. #85) - Rose.
  • 10 P.  (1919 - Sc. #86) - Green.
  • 10 P.  (1921 - Sc. #87) - Bright Blue.
  • 20 P.  (1917 - Sc. #88) - Buff.
  • 20 P.  (1920 - Sc. #89) - Rose.
  • 20 P.  (1924 - Sc. #90) - Brown.
  • 25 P.  (1917 - Sc. #91) - Blue.
  • 25 P.  (1919 - Sc. #92) - Light Brown.
  • 30 P.  (1923 - Sc. #93) - Green.
  • 40 P.  (1917 - Sc. #94) - Violet.
  • 40 P.  (1924 - Type 1 - Sc. #95a) - Blue Green.
  • 40 P.  (1929 - Type 2 - Sc. #95) - Blue Green.
  • 50 P.  (1917 - Sc. #96) - Orange Brown.
  • 50 P.  (1919 - Sc. #97) - Deep Blue.
  • 50 P.  (1921 - Sc. #98) - Green.
  • 60 P.  (1921 - Sc. #99) - Red Violet.
  • 75 P.  (1921 - Sc. #100) - Yellow.
  • 01 M.  (1917 - Sc. #101) - Dull Rose & Black.
  • 01 M.  (1925 - Sc. #102) - Red Orange.
  • 01 1/2 M.  (1929 - Sc. #103) - Blue Green & Red Violet.
  • 02 M.  (1921 - Sc. #104) - Green & Black.
  • 02 M.  (1922 - Sc. #105) - Dark Blue & Indigo.
  • 03 M.  (1921 - Sc. #106) - Blue & Black.
  • 05 M.  (1917 - Sc. #107) - Red Violet & Black.
  • 10 M.  (1917 - Sc. #108) - Brown & Gray Black.
  • 10 M.  (1929 - Sc. #108a) - Light Brown & Black.
  • 25 M.  (1921 - Sc. #110) - Dull Red & Yellow.

The 40 P. (Blue Green) denomination comes in two types, with the difference being in the thickness of the value numerals.  The 10 P. (Rose) denomination exists imperforate.

A 2 1/2 P. (Gray) denomination is known to exist, but no plates were ever made for this denomination and no stamps were ever produced.  Examples are from proofs of the original die which were distributed by the Universal Postal Union.



The eight new definitive stamps of Finland shown above were issued in early 1918.  They are printed on unwatermarked paper, and they are perforated 11 1/2.  This group of stamps is referred to as the Vasa Issue.

The Scott catalog attributes are as follows.

  • 05 P.  (1918 - Sc. #111) - Green.
  • 10 P.  (1918 - Sc. #112) - Red.
  • 30 P.  (1918 - Sc. #113) - Slate.
  • 40 P.  (1918 - Sc. #114) - Brown Violet.
  • 50 P.  (1918 - Sc. #115) - Orange Brown.
  • 70 P.  (1918 - Sc. #116) - Gray Brown.
  • 01 M.  (1918 - Sc. #117) - Red & Gray.
  • 05 M.  (1918 - Sc. #118) - Red Violet & Gray.

All of these stamps exist imperforate, but they were not officially issued in that format.



The four overprinted and revalued Helsinki-Issue-type stamps of Finland shown above were issued during December 1919.

The Scott catalog attributes are as follows.

  • 10 P. on 05 P.  (1919 - Sc. #119) - Green.
  • 20 P. on 10 P.  (1919 - Sc. #120) - Rose.
  • 50 P. on 25 P.  (1919 - Sc. #121) - Blue.
  • 75 P. on 20 P.  (1919 - Sc. #122) - Orange.



The four overprinted and revalued Helsinki-Issue-type stamps of Finland shown above were issued during February 1921.

The Scott catalog attributes are as follows.

  • 30 P. on 10 P.  (1921 - Sc. #123) - Green.
  • 60 P. on 40 P.  (1921 - Sc. #124) - Red Violet.
  • 90 P. on 20 P.  (1921 - Sc. #125) - Rose.
  • 01 1/2 M. on 50 P.  (1921 - Sc. #126) - Blue.



The fourteen Helsinki-Issue-type stamps of Finland shown above were issued between 1925 and 1929.  They are printed on watermarked paper, and they are perforated 14 or perforated 14 1/4 x 14 3/4.

The Scott catalog attributes, for stamps that are watermarked multiple swastikas (the ancient Finnish symbols of good luck), are as follows.

  • 10 P.  (1927 - Sc. #127) - Ultramarine.
  • 20 P.  (1925 - Sc. #128) - Brown.
  • 25 P.  (1929 - Sc. #129) - Brown Orange.
  • 30 P.  (1925 - Sc. #130) - Yellow Green.
  • 40 P.  (1926 - Type 1 - Sc. #131) - Blue Green.
  • 40 P.  (1928 - Type 2 - Sc. #131b) - Blue Green.
  • 50 P.  (1926 - Sc. #132) - Gray Green.
  • 60 P.  (1925 - Sc. #133) - Red Violet.
  • 01 M.  (1925 - Sc. #134) - Deep Orange.
  • 01 1/2 M.  (1926 - Sc. #135) - Blue Green & Red Violet.
  • 02 M.  (1927 - Sc. #136) - Dark Blue & Indigo.
  • 03 M.  (1926 - Sc. #137) - Chalky Blue & Black.
  • 05 M.  (1927 - Sc. #138) - Red Violet & Black.
  • 10 M.  (1927 - Sc. #139) - Light Brown & Black.
  • 25 M.  (1927 - Sc. #140) - Deep Orange & Yellow.

The Scott catalog attributes, for stamps that are watermarked post horn, are as follows.

  • 20 P.  (1929 - Sc. #143) - Light Brown.
  • 40 P.  (1928 - Type 2 - Sc. #144) - Blue Green.
  • 50 P.  (1928 - Sc. #145) - Gray Green.
  • 01 M.  (1927 - Sc. #146) - Deep Orange.
  • 01 1/2 M.  (1928 - Sc. #147) - Blue Green & Red Violet.
  • 02 M.  (1928 - Sc. #148) - Dark Blue & Indigo.
  • 03 M.  (1927 - Sc. #149) - Chalky Blue & Black.
  • 05 M.  (1928 - Sc. #150) - Red Violet & Black.
  • 10 M.  (1927 - Sc. #151) - Light Brown & Black.
  • 25 M.  (1927 - Sc. #152) - Brown Orange & Yellow.





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Definitives of 1917-1930






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