Libya: Republic and People's Republic (1969-present)
An illustrated key to Libyan revenues since 1943 can be found here
Chapter overview
Currency:
(1969) 1 Libyan pound = 1000 millièmes
(1972) 1 dinar (d) = 1000 dirhams (dh)
Note: the official name of the country since 1976 has been Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. The last word - an Arabic term generally translated as state of the masses - was a neologism coined by Muammar al-Gaddafi, meaning something like people's republic.
No Libyan revenue stamps of the post-Gaddafi era have surfaced to date (April 2012).
Chapter overview
- Airport Tax (catalogue numbers prefixed A)
- Consular (catalogue numbers prefixed C)
- Medical Fee (catalogue numbers prefixed E)
- Municipal (catalogue numbers prefixed M)
- Revenue (catalogue numbers prefixed R)
- War Tax (catalogue numbers prefixed W)
Currency:
(1969) 1 Libyan pound = 1000 millièmes
(1972) 1 dinar (d) = 1000 dirhams (dh)
Note: the official name of the country since 1976 has been Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. The last word - an Arabic term generally translated as state of the masses - was a neologism coined by Muammar al-Gaddafi, meaning something like people's republic.
No Libyan revenue stamps of the post-Gaddafi era have surfaced to date (April 2012).
Airport Tax
A1
c1980. Aircraft and terminal, globe and book. Inscribed Libyan Arab Republic at top, value in Arabic numerals at lower left. 41½ x 54 mm. Perf 13½. No watermark. Multicoloured; background colour given.
A1. 1000dh grey-green
 A2 |
 A2a |
c1985. As A1 but inscription at top changed to Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, and value in Western numerals at lower left. 41½ x 53½ mm. Perf 10½. No watermark. Multicoloured; background colour given.
A2. 3000dh yellow-orange
a. Extra row of perforations at top
A2. 3000dh yellow-orange
a. Extra row of perforations at top
Consular
C101/103
1970 (earliest recorded usage). Arms of Libya showing the Eagle of Saladin facing left. Inscribed Libyan Arab Republic at top and Revenue at foot, with currency in Libyan pounds. 22 x 26½ mm with wide margins all round. Perf 11½. No watermark.
C101. £L½ green and deep blue
C102. £L1 blue and brown
C103. £L2 yellow and black
C101. £L½ green and deep blue
C102. £L1 blue and brown
C103. £L2 yellow and black
C111 and C116/7
1980 (earliest recorded usage). Arms of Libya redrawn showing the Hawk of Qureish facing right, and change to new currency (dinars). Inscribed Libyan Arab Republic at top and Federation of Arab Republics on the scroll held by the hawk. 23 x 28 mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
C116a (on right, se-tenant with normal)
a) Figure of value below text in all four corners
C111. 1d blue and deep brown
b) Figure of value now above text in lower corners, the 1d redrawn with clearer inscriptions
C116. ½d green and violet
a. Centre omitted and frame reversed
C117. 1d blue and deep brown
Note: The Federation of Arab Republics was an affilation of Libya, Egypt, and Syria, which began in January 1972 and lasted for nearly six years. Although the Federation officially ended in November 1977, Libya's Consular and War Tax stamps continued to show the Federation's Coat of Arms until well into the 1990s.
C111. 1d blue and deep brown
b) Figure of value now above text in lower corners, the 1d redrawn with clearer inscriptions
C116. ½d green and violet
a. Centre omitted and frame reversed
C117. 1d blue and deep brown
Note: The Federation of Arab Republics was an affilation of Libya, Egypt, and Syria, which began in January 1972 and lasted for nearly six years. Although the Federation officially ended in November 1977, Libya's Consular and War Tax stamps continued to show the Federation's Coat of Arms until well into the 1990s.
C121/2 plus misperforated example of C122 (see footnote)
1982-84 (earliest recorded usage). As C116/7 but Arabic inscription at top changed to Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. 23 x 28 mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
C121. ½d green and violet
C122. 1d blue and deep brown
Note: several examples of C122 are known with a vertical perforation shift of about 3mm, all used in Bangladesh. These appear to be genuine.
C121. ½d green and violet
C122. 1d blue and deep brown
Note: several examples of C122 are known with a vertical perforation shift of about 3mm, all used in Bangladesh. These appear to be genuine.
C131
1986 (earliest recorded usage). As previous issue but value now shown in Western numerals. 23½ x 28½ mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
C131. 1d blue and deep brown
C142/6 and C164
1988-2002. New type with eagle facing left, inscribed Passport Fees at top. 23½ x 28½ mm. Perf 11½. No watermark. The dates in brackets are the earliest recorded usage for each value.
Forgery with saw-tooth perfs
a) Perf 11½
C142. 2d orange (1991)
C143. 3d brown (1989)
C144. 5d blue (1989)
C145. 10d mauve (1988)
C146. 20d rose-carmine (1994)
b) Roulette 10, self-adhesive
C164. 5d blue
Notes:
1. Specialists may wish to distinguish clean-cut and rough perf varieties of C142/6, though the difference is no longer considered significant enough for a separate catalogue listing. The earliest dated examples are all rough perf, with clean-cut printings appearing from 1997 (2d and 20d), 1998 (5d) and 1999 (10d). The 3d has not been recorded with clean-cut perf.
2. A stamp similar to C146 but with a saw-tooth perforation measuring 14½ was formerly listed here but is now thought to be a forgery intended to defraud the Libyan authorities. Examples are similar in size and shade to the genuine stamp and the overall impression is well executed. The only recorded usage of these stamps is on passport pages cancelled in Dacca (Bangladesh), suggesting that this may have been the place of their manufacture.
C142. 2d orange (1991)
C143. 3d brown (1989)
C144. 5d blue (1989)
C145. 10d mauve (1988)
C146. 20d rose-carmine (1994)
b) Roulette 10, self-adhesive
C164. 5d blue
Notes:
1. Specialists may wish to distinguish clean-cut and rough perf varieties of C142/6, though the difference is no longer considered significant enough for a separate catalogue listing. The earliest dated examples are all rough perf, with clean-cut printings appearing from 1997 (2d and 20d), 1998 (5d) and 1999 (10d). The 3d has not been recorded with clean-cut perf.
2. A stamp similar to C146 but with a saw-tooth perforation measuring 14½ was formerly listed here but is now thought to be a forgery intended to defraud the Libyan authorities. Examples are similar in size and shade to the genuine stamp and the overall impression is well executed. The only recorded usage of these stamps is on passport pages cancelled in Dacca (Bangladesh), suggesting that this may have been the place of their manufacture.
Medical fee
L1/2
1980s? Person with medicines and clock. Inscribed Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya at top, value in Western numerals at lower left. 24 x 29 mm. Perf 11½ (500dh rough perf). No watermark.
L1. 500dh orange
L2. 1000dh orange
The inscription above middle left seems to be a warning to keep medicines out of the reach of children. The top inscription differs between the two values.
L1. 500dh orange
L2. 1000dh orange
The inscription above middle left seems to be a warning to keep medicines out of the reach of children. The top inscription differs between the two values.
Municipal
M21/23
1974 (earliest recorded usage). Calligraphy. Inscribed Libyan Arab Republic in upper panel with Municipal Affairs below. 25 x 30 mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
M21. 50dh purple
M22. 100dh carmine
M23. 200dh black
M21. 50dh purple
M22. 100dh carmine
M23. 200dh black
M31/32
1980s? As previous issue but upper panel inscription changed to Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, with a long unbroken line of text below the hawk. 24½ x 30 mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
M31. 50dh purple
M32. 100dh carmine
M31. 50dh purple
M32. 100dh carmine
M44
1990s? As previous issue but value shown in Western numerals, and upper panel again changed to incorporate the Arabic word Great in the country name. Rough perf 11½.
M44. 500dh green
Note: the Arabic word Great (العظمى) was added to the official name of the country after the 1986 bombing of Libya by the USA.
M44. 500dh green
Note: the Arabic word Great (العظمى) was added to the official name of the country after the 1986 bombing of Libya by the USA.
Revenue
c1970? Oil wells types of Libya (Kingdom Federal issues) overprinted with the Arabic initials for Libyan Arab Republic (sideways, reading downwards from right to left), and black bars cancelling the Kingdom of Libya inscriptions at top and bottom.
c1970? Oil wells types of Libya (Kingdom Federal issues) overprinted with the Arabic initials for Libyan Arab Republic (sideways, reading downwards from right to left), and black bars cancelling the Kingdom of Libya inscriptions at top and bottom.
R100a and #100b
R100a. 250m bright purple
R100b. 500m green
These stamps were offered for sale on eBay in early 2011. I have also seen a 5m value and other values may exist. The catalogue numbering for this set should be regarded as provisional.
R100b. 500m green
These stamps were offered for sale on eBay in early 2011. I have also seen a 5m value and other values may exist. The catalogue numbering for this set should be regarded as provisional.
Note: apart from the above provisional issue, all the stamps listed under this heading are based on the same design of a central octagon with rounded edges, surrounded by four rectangular panels. The top and bottom panels give the country name and value respectively, while the side panels describe the appropriation.
The different types can be difficult to distinguish, but the following three main sub-divisions should help with identification:
- One line of Arabic in top panel - see R101/116
- Two lines of Arabic in top panel, Arabic numerals in bottom panel - see R121/133
- Two lines of Arabic in top panel, Western numerals in bottom panel - see R141/163
An illustrated key to all the sub-types can be found here.
R101/105 (large format)
c1970-74. Inscribed The Libyan Arab Republic at top (one line of Arabic), Taxes at left and Fees at right. Numerals in Arabic only. No watermark.
a) Currency in millièmes, large format (25½ x 32½ mm), perf 10½ (20m) or perf 11 (others)
R101. 20m deep blue
R102. 50m brownish grey
R105. 1000m rose-carmine
a) Currency in millièmes, large format (25½ x 32½ mm), perf 10½ (20m) or perf 11 (others)
R101. 20m deep blue
R102. 50m brownish grey
R105. 1000m rose-carmine
R106/110a (small format)
b) Currency in millièmes, smaller format (23½ x 29½ mm), perf 11½
R106/a and R110/a enlarged to show redrawn value tablets (at right)
R106. 5m green
a. Bright green (redrawn type, perf 12)
R107. 10m violet
R108. 20m blue
R109. 30m red-orange
R110. 50m grey
a. Black (redrawn type, perf 12)
a. Bright green (redrawn type, perf 12)
R107. 10m violet
R108. 20m blue
R109. 30m red-orange
R110. 50m grey
a. Black (redrawn type, perf 12)
R111/114
c) Currency changed to dirhams, 23½ x 29 mm, perf 11½ (rough perfs on 30dh)
R111. 20dh blue
R112. 30dh orange
R113. 50dh grey
R114. 100dh brown
Note: the currency was changed in 1972, so it seems reasonable to assume that R101/10a were issued before this date and R112/4 were issued in 1972 or later. The earliest recorded usage of this issue is an example of R114 in 1974.
R116
c1974. Inscribed The Libyan Arab Republic at top, Department of at left, Taxes at right. 23½ x 29 mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
R116. 500dh grey-green
For stamps with side panels as R116 but with two lines of Arabic in the top panel, see R121ff.
R116. 500dh grey-green
For stamps with side panels as R116 but with two lines of Arabic in the top panel, see R121ff.
R121/4 (see below right for R125)
1979 (earliest recorded usage). As R116 but country name in top panel changed to Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in two lines. Department of at left, Taxes at right. Numerals in Arabic only. 23½ x 29 mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
R125
R121. 10dh slate-violet
R122. 20dh blue
R123. 50dh grey
R124. 500dh grey-green
R125. 1000dh rose-carmine
R122. 20dh blue
R123. 50dh grey
R124. 500dh grey-green
R125. 1000dh rose-carmine
R131a, R131/33
1980s? As R121/4 but inscribed Bureau of Taxes in both side panels. 23½ x 29 mm. Rough perf 11½. No watermark.
R131. 20dh blue
a. 28 x 35 mm, imperf
R132. 50dh black
R133. 100dh brown
Note: in my view R131a is probably a stamp paper cut-out, though I have yet to see an example on a whole sheet.
R131. 20dh blue
a. 28 x 35 mm, imperf
R132. 50dh black
R133. 100dh brown
Note: in my view R131a is probably a stamp paper cut-out, though I have yet to see an example on a whole sheet.
R141/147
1993 (earliest recorded example). As R131/3 but value shown in Western numerals with wide figures (50dh, 100dh, 2000dh) or narrow figures (others). Inscribed Bureau of Taxes in both side panels, and top panel inscription slightly redrawn (the Arabic word Great added at lower left). 24 x 29½ mm. Perf 11½ (50dh with rough perfs). No watermark.
R141. 20dh blue
R142. 50dh grey-black
R143. 100dh brown-purple
R144. 250dh bright violet
R145. 500dh deep green
R146. 1000dh red
R147. 2000dh bright purple
R141. 20dh blue
R142. 50dh grey-black
R143. 100dh brown-purple
R144. 250dh bright violet
R145. 500dh deep green
R146. 1000dh red
R147. 2000dh bright purple
R151/155
1990s? As R141/7 but side panel inscriptions read Department of Taxes both sides. Value shown in Western numerals with wide figures on all denominations. 23½ x 29 mm. Perf 11½. Diagonal Arabic script watermark (250dh and 1000dh) or no watermark (others).
R151. 20dh indigo
R152. 50dh grey-black
R153. 250dh vermilion
R154. 500dh bright green
R155. 1000dh orange-red
Note: the value tablet is cross-hatched on all values except the 250dh, which might be a late addition to the series.
R151. 20dh indigo
R152. 50dh grey-black
R153. 250dh vermilion
R154. 500dh bright green
R155. 1000dh orange-red
Note: the value tablet is cross-hatched on all values except the 250dh, which might be a late addition to the series.
R161/63
c2009. As R151/5 with same inscriptions but redrawn in sharper lettering. Western numerals with narrow figures of value, and no cross-hatching in the value tablet. 24 x 29½ mm (100dh) or 23½ x 29 mm (others). Perf 11½. Diagonal Arabic script watermark.
R161. 500dh grey-green
R162. 1000dh pale orange-red
R163. 2000dh bright purple
R161. 500dh grey-green
R162. 1000dh pale orange-red
R163. 2000dh bright purple
War Tax
Note: the adhesives listed under this heading were formerly categorised as Consular stamps on the grounds that they are almost always found used on passport pages. However the Arabic inscription at the foot of the stamps (rasm al-jihad) is best translated as War Tax, which in the context of 1970s-80s Libya probably meant a relief fund to aid victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Note: the adhesives listed under this heading were formerly categorised as Consular stamps on the grounds that they are almost always found used on passport pages. However the Arabic inscription at the foot of the stamps (rasm al-jihad) is best translated as War Tax, which in the context of 1970s-80s Libya probably meant a relief fund to aid victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
W101
1970 (earliest recorded usage). Arms of Libya showing Eagle of Saladin facing left, similar to Consular C101/2 but design 24 x 29 mm with narrower margins. Inscribed Libyan Arab Republic at top and War Tax at foot. Perf 11½. No watermark.
W101. £L1 orange and magenta
1980. Arms of Libya redrawn showing Hawk of Qureish facing right. Inscribed Libyan Arab Republic at top and Federation of Arab Republics on the scroll held by the hawk. 23 x 28 mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
W111 and W116
a) Figure of value below text in all four corners
W111. 1d orange
b) Redrawn type with clearer inscriptions, figure of value now above text in lower corners
W116. 1d red-orange
Note: concerning the Federation of Arab Republics inscription, see footnote below C111/7.
W111. 1d orange
b) Redrawn type with clearer inscriptions, figure of value now above text in lower corners
W116. 1d red-orange
Note: concerning the Federation of Arab Republics inscription, see footnote below C111/7.
Two examples of W121 showing clean-cut and rough perfs
1982-84 (earliest recorded usage). As previous issue but Hawk facing left, and Arabic inscription at top changed to Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. 23 x 28 mm. Perf 11½. No watermark.
W121. 1d orange
Notes:
1. Specialists may wish to distinguish clean-cut and rough perf varieties of W121, though the difference is no longer considered significant enough for a separate catalogue listing.
2. Stamps as W121 but with a saw-tooth perforation are now regarded as forgeries. For further details, see footnote 2 below C164.
3. It will be noticed that W101, W111/6 and W121 correspond to Consular issues C101/3, C111/7 and C121/2 respectively. The latest Consular issues of Libya (C131/64 with value in Western numerals) have no equivalent War Tax stamps, which suggests that the use of War Tax stamps may have ceased in the late 1980s or 90s.
W121. 1d orange
Notes:
1. Specialists may wish to distinguish clean-cut and rough perf varieties of W121, though the difference is no longer considered significant enough for a separate catalogue listing.
2. Stamps as W121 but with a saw-tooth perforation are now regarded as forgeries. For further details, see footnote 2 below C164.
3. It will be noticed that W101, W111/6 and W121 correspond to Consular issues C101/3, C111/7 and C121/2 respectively. The latest Consular issues of Libya (C131/64 with value in Western numerals) have no equivalent War Tax stamps, which suggests that the use of War Tax stamps may have ceased in the late 1980s or 90s.
Note: an illustrated key to Libyan revenues since 1943 can be found here
