Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Stamp Collector

Stampex was held from 22 to 25 October, and I was delighted to visit on the Friday to catch-up with philatelic friends, browse the stands and buy some items for my collection. This was the second year that the event has been held in its new spot at the Business Design Centre in London, and although occupying a smaller area than the original hall, it offers an engaging and easy-to-navigate space. There were around 70 stands at the show, offering a range of material from the highest priced line-engraved issues of Queen Victoria to numerous stands offering the opportunity to rummage for bargains. Most of the leading auction houses were there promoting their forthcoming auctions, and there was also a wall-mounted court of honour for visitors to view. At the…

ISLE OF MAN History of Manx brewing The history of Manx brewing was celebrated in a set of eight stamps released by the Isle of Man Post Office on 10 October. Titled ‘Brewed on Mann’, the set celebrates the proud brewing heritage of the Isle of Man. This special collection explores the fascinating history of beer-making on the island, from its early times to the vibrant brewing culture enjoyed today. The Isle of Man’s distinctive brewing history is shaped by tradition and a strong sense of identity. Brewing on the island can be traced back to the early mediaeval period, when beer was originally brewed in households and monasteries using locally grown barley. By the 18th and 19th centuries, brewing had become more commercialised as the island developed as a…

11–15 November – Siegel 21 West 38th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA  siegelauctions.com 12 November – AJH The Laurels, Manchester Road, Accrington, Lancs BB5 2PF  ajhstamps.co.uk 12 November – Tooveys Spring Gardens, Washington, West Sussex RH20 3BS www.tooveys.com 15 November – Heinrich Köhler Hasengartenstr. 25, 65139 Wiesbaden, Germany heinrich-koehler.de 17–22 November – David Feldman Chemin du Pavillon 2, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland  www.davidfeldman.com 21–28 November – Corinphila Wiesenstrasse 8, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland  corinphila.ch 22 November – Eastern 132 Main Street, Bathurst NB, E2A 1A4, Canada www.easternauctions.com 25 November – Horners Old Norwich Road, Acle, Norwich, Norfolk NR133BY  www.horners.co.uk 25 November – Philangles Carson House, 44 Legh Street, Warrington, Cheshire WA1 1UJ philangles.co.uk 25 and 27 November – SGB 399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX sgbaldwins.com 29 November –…

Since this is the December edition of Stamp Collector, focusing on a seasonal topic sounded like a reasonable plan. So, this month, I’ll look at how the Post Office has handled the Christmas mails. This is famously the busiest period for the post, with much advance planning necessary to cope with the increased workload. It has resulted in several special provisions, as well as much good advice for the public, which has quite often even been followed. Admittedly, the magazine’s publication schedule does mean that you’re probably reading this article in mid-November – but since the shops will already be full of mince pies and decorations, I reckon it’s still appropriate for the time of year. For that matter, I’d already begun to receive emails with Christmas offers when I…

In this edition, there is an article on ‘The Secret Life of Coins’, which ties in with a new podcast and temporary exhibition at the Royal Mint Experience in South Wales. The article features some of the ways coins are used beyond their intended economic one. Among these are the marked coins left at the Foundling Hospital in London, which opened in 1741 as the first home for children of destitute families. These marked coins were among the tokens left by mothers when they entrusted their children to the hospital. The tokens were then folded up inside the child’s admission paper, which was only opened if the child was reclaimed. As the children were renamed on admission, it was hoped the token would help mothers prove their relationship if they…

Coins were stolen from the Milton Regis Court Hall near Sittingbourne in Kent overnight between 14 and 15 October. In the robbery, the museum was broken into and cabinets smashed. The theft included Roman, 13th-century and Victorian coins. Any information given will be treated in strict confidence. Please report any information to Kent Police quoting reference 46/178609/25. The German Federal Ministry of Finance has announced that due to the rise in the price of silver, making the material value of the coins significantly higher than their face values, the €25 collector coin ‘Three Kings’ and the €20 collector coin ‘125 Years of the Wuppertal Suspension Railway’ have been postponed. Options for issuing the coins later – with adjusted parameters if necessary – are currently being examined.…

The numismatic landscape in the United States is currently being dominated by the meteoric rise in precious metal prices. For months, the price of gold has been steadily marching higher and is now at levels that only hard-core ‘gold bugs’ once predicted. The $4,000 per ounce threshold was breached with ease, and higher prices seem nearly certain. Silver prices, which have been lagging gold prices, have now started to catch up. Silver prices finally broke the decades old record of $50 per ounce and are also still climbing. “Coins selling for over $1,000,000 used to be headline news in the numismatic press. This now occurs at nearly every major auction and hardly causes notice” Hobby leaders are trying to figure out how the ballooning of bullion prices will change numismatics.…

We all know coins are handy little things, for buying a coffee, paying for parking or saving in money boxes, but what if we told you they also have a more varied and secret life? The Royal Mint Museum has used this engaging topic as the theme for a new temporary exhibition in the Royal Mint Experience in South Wales and as a brand-new podcast series, exploring the surprising, quirky and downright fascinating ways in which coins have been used over the centuries (Figure 1). We are always working to share our history with new audiences, and the exhibition and podcast will enable more people to interact and engage with the museum and the objects we keep. At the Royal Mint Museum, we are not just interested in how coins…

It was only a matter of time. While metal currency is durable, it is also cumbersome, expensive to produce and uses valuable metals. Fortunately, in the 11th century, China came up with a solution to these problems that revolutionised trade and the monied economy – banknotes. The Song dynasty (960–1279) is often credited with having the world’s first ‘modern economy’. While it feels strange to apply such terminology to the mediaeval world, this period did indeed see vast changes in Chinese society (Figure 1). Technological advances, new, easier to grow rice strains and a massive investment in roads, canals and ports, fuelled population growth and the rise of urban centres. This, in turn, led to a booming economy. Between 750 and 1100, China’s population doubled, and its money supply grew…

An almost forgotten initiative has been preserved in stamp issues from the 1960s to 1980s under the designation 'EuropAfrique'. Today, many details concerning the background of this project have been lost. What is known about the early Europe–Africa Economic Association and the ‘EUROPAFRIQUE’ stamp issues? On 20 July 1963, the European Economic Community (EEC) signed an Association Agreement (Convention d’Association) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with 18 African States and Madagascar, commonly referred to as AASM (Associated African States and Madagascar). The aim was to establish an economic association, helping with trade cooperation, financial and technical aid, fostering economic development and reducing trade barriers. The agreement, called the Yaoundé I Convention of 1963, came into force on 1 June 1964 and was valid for five years initially. It is often considered an…

The rocky outcrop at the head of Belfast Lough is the sort of place that cries out to have a castle built on it. So, when the Normans invaded Ireland, it did (Figure 1). Most Norman activity was in the south of the country, but in 1177, a knight named John de Courcy took it upon himself to march north with a force of 300 men and conquer what is now County Antrim. He built the core of Carrickfergus Castle, its keep, to assert his dominance of the area. His rule was benign by the standards of the time. Historian Anthony Wilson said: ‘He came as an alien Englishman, but turned into an Irishman.’ Sadly, his success attracted the envy of King John: in 1204, the castle was besieged and…

In 1952, China promoted public health through radio, loudspeakers – and postage stamps. The vivid ‘Radio Gymnastics’ set, especially in its rare first printing, remains a collector’s highlight. Even later printings have found new value in today’s dynamic Chinese philatelic market. Apart from collecting, it may also serve for general health improvement if you copy the exercises demonstrated in the designs! The 1952 ‘Radio Gymnastics’ issue (Scott 141/50, Yang S 14/53 and Michel 146/75 I) is one of the more unusual early commemorative issues of the People’s Republic of China. Featuring 26 different exercise positions depicted across 10 vivid colours, this series showcases stylised, instructional poses (Figure 1). Some designs are repeated, but the arrangement into 40 distinct stamps, each within numbered blocks of four, gives this set a unique…

The term vexillology only goes back to 1957 but interest in flags stems from the distant past. Scottish flags retain this link as they must be legally authorised by the Court of the Lord Lyon, the Scottish court for genealogical and heraldic matters. Like stamps, flags make a statement about the country, region or organisation that they represent. But not all flags have made it onto stamps because many nations disappeared before stamps were invented and other flags exist for non-stamp issuing entities. There are obviously many different flag stamps, and the first issue is to sort them. There are several ways to do this, but the easiest is by purpose. PURPOSE Purpose means, for example, are the stamps showing national flags or regional/state flags? Or are they flags of…

In 2025, the art world, Italy and philatelists worldwide observed a major cultural jubilee: the 550th anniversary of the birth of Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, who was born 6 March 1475 in Caprese, Tuscany. Within his long lifespan of nine decades, he became a towering figure of the High Renaissance, as a painter, sculptor, architect and poet. Michelangelo’s legacy is being honoured in many forms, among which postage stamps and related philatelic memorabilia stand out as concise, beautiful artifacts linking art, history and society. Michelangelo’s contributions are manifold: from his sculptural masterpieces, such as David and Pieta, to his architectural work on St Peter’s Basilica and his painterly achievements in the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the Last Judgment, not to mention poems and technical drawings. The 550th anniversary offers…

CINDERELLAS Afghanistan’s mysterious birds of prey stamps In 1979, Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan and many years of resistance against the Russian presence in the country then followed, writes Christer Brunström. The resistance movement received a lot of military and financial aid from the United States and many other countries. One person who wanted to support the people of Afghanistan was US stamp auctioneer Roger A Koerber (1934–88). He was involved in the production and marketing of a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet depicting birds of prey. The stamps were printed by the House of Questa in the UK. Exactly when the stamps were printed is unclear, but they were promoted by Koerber in 1986. He offered the complete set for $16.50. Those who purchased five sets could…

Part 2 of the Pelton auction of British and world coins at Coin Cabinet on 23 October included an 1820 half sovereign pattern from the reign of George III (1760–1820) (lot 35). Stuck in gold, it was engraved by Thomas Wyon, with input from Benedetto Pistrucci, and featured the celebrated high-relief ‘Roman Head’ portrait of King George III facing to the right. The unique reverse featured a crowned trunk sprouting the rose, thistle and shamrock, symbols of England, Scotland and Ireland, with flowing leaves uniting the design. Never adopted for circulating coinage, this coin is exceedingly rare, with only six to 10 examples known, and is considered one of the most beautiful of the George III series. It went under the hammer for £31,000. SOLD FOR £31,000 A coins, medals,…

Gold at $4,000, silver at $50 per ounce – what just a few years ago seemed like the ultimate dream of precious metal investors has become reality in autumn 2025. The unprecedented boom in the precious metals market is making global headlines and setting records everywhere. Investors are celebrating new all-time highs, dealers are seeing demand levels not witnessed since 2011, and even collectors are feeling like winners. After all, the coins stored in their drawers and safes have never been worth more. Yet behind all this euphoria lies a darker side – one that could leave deep and lasting marks on the world of numismatics. WHEN COLLECTABLE VALUE MELTS AWAY What is happening right now is without precedent: coins are being melted down on a massive scale. And not…

Scott Stamp LLC, a new company formed by Jay Bigalke and fellow philatelist David Fritz, has acquired the Scott catalogues, Scott Stamp Monthly and Linn’s Stamp News from Amos Media Co. Product sales will continue to be available through AmosAdvantage.com, and subscriptions can be purchased through Linns.com. Both will operate in partnership with Amos Media Co. during the transition period. Royal Mail have announced the latest posting dates for Christmas 2025. For UK Inland services, Wednesday, 17 December is the last date for 2nd class and 2nd class Signed For. Friday, 19 December is the last date for Royal Mail Tracked 48. Saturday, 20 December is the last date for 1st class and 1st class Signed For. Sunday, 21 December is the last date for Royal Mail Tracked 24 and…

The first adhesive postage stamp, commonly referred to as the Penny Black, and prepaid letter sheets and envelopes, known as Mulready postal stationery, went on sale in London on 1 May 1840, but were not valid until 6 May (Figures 1–2). The extra five days were required to print enough stamps and deliver them to all post offices of the kingdom. Even though the stamps were supposed to be accepted for postage on 6 May, there is some evidence that a few covers were sent earlier, starting on 2 May. CANCELLING THE STAMPS To prevent reuse of these stamps, the General Post Office designed a cancellation mark to obliterate them (Figure 3). Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth and British Empire Stamps 1840–1970 catalogue (2025 edition), states that: ‘When describing the postmarks of…

It is hard to imagine the excitement of those early days of philately, when the concept of owning one of every available stamp was eminently possible. But what was the poor collector to do with all their stamps once they had acquired them? In 1862, Henry Justin Lallier, a French tax collector, came up with the perfect solution: an Album-Timbres-Poste. The Lallier Album-Timbres-Poste was the world’s first commercial stamp album, and while basic, its design and layout was to form the basis for the imitators and admirers who followed (Figures 1–2). IMPERFECT PAGES Prior to Lallier’s light-bulb moment, most collectors had their own techniques for storing and displaying their stamps. Some designed their own pages, hand annotating and decorating each page individually. Some adapted existing notebooks and ledgers. While those…

The Faroes are an archipelago of 18 islands, midway between Iceland, Norway and Scotland; they have been part of the Kingdom of Denmark since 1380. They came under British occupation when Denmark fell to the Nazis in World War II, but in 1948, they were given self-government and their own flag. And finally, in 1975, they were allowed to issue their own stamps. Since then, the stamps have built up a loyal following amongst collectors, thanks to their high stands of production, innovative design and interesting content – all exemplified by the 2007 set shown here. It was designed by Edward Fuglo, who is a Faroese native and a prolific stamp designer, artist and illustrator. And it was issued as a single sheet bearing the set of 10 stamps, all…

INCORPORATING COIN COLLECTOR ON SALE 12 DECEMBER Philatelic Firsts THE WORLD’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL STAMP ORGANISATION Early Elizabethans THE STORY BEHIND THE 1967 SET ON BRITISH DISCOVERY AND INVENTION A Slice of Swaziland A GUIDE TO THE STAMPS OF THIS ENGAGING COUNTRY A–Z of Coins WHY WORN COINS ARE INCREASINGLY DESIRABLE New Generation of Silver Counterfeits NAVIGATING YOUR WAY BETWEEN ORIGINALS AND FAKES Bern, Universal Postal Union Monument by René de St-Marceaux (Aliman5040) AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD NEWSAGENTS OR DIRECT FROM https://ccgb.mymagazinesub.co.uk/…

12 November – Noonans 16–17 Bolton Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8BQ  www.noonans.co.uk 12 November – Sovereign Rarities 17–19 Maddox Street, London W1S 2QH  www.sovr.co.uk 16 November – Chris Rudd PO Box 1500, Norwich NR10 5WS  celticcoins.com 17–19 November – St James’s 10 Charles II Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 4AA stjauctions.com 19 November – Tennants Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5SG  www.tennants.co.uk 20 November – Spink 67–69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4ET  www.spink.com 25–26 November – Lockdales 52 Barrack Square, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 3RF www.lockdales.com 27 November – Hansons Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire DE65 6LS  hansonsauctioneers.co.uk 27 November – St James’s 10 Charles II Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 4AA  stjauctions.com 4 December – St James’s 10 Charles II Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 4AA stjauctions.com 6–7…

In the December 2024 edition of Coin Collector, we took a look at coins with the face and monograms of Queen Margrethe of Denmark. This time, we inspect some of her thematic coins. Danmarks Nationalbank started to issue coin series with common motifs in 2002. Since then, an interesting range of mintings have come into circulation. Some of these are still easily found at low cost, while others are hard to get and represent real treasures of modern coin collecting. TOWER SERIES The theme of the first series, with 20-krone coins, was ‘Towers’ and ran from 2002 to 2007. Towers were chosen as a theme because they represented national and historical symbols. The fourth official portrait of Queen Margrethe II by sculptor Professor Mogens Møller can be seen on the…