Bahrain
Chapter overview
- Airport Departure Fee (catalogue numbers prefixed A)
- Court Fee
- Labels (catalogue numbers prefixed L)
- Postal Order poundage
- Revenue (catalogue numbers prefixed R)
- Revenue usage of Postage stamps (catalogue numbers prefixed S)
- War Tax (catalogue numbers prefixed T)
- Stamp paper (catalogue numbers prefixed Z)
Acknowledgments
- Jeri Cooper, The Alnis Guide to the Revenues, War Tax Issues & Cinderellas of Bahrain (Alnis Guide No 13, Glass Slipper, 1990)
- David Jessich, Bahrain Revenue Notes - UV varieties (privately circulated, 2014)
Special thanks to Jay Hickey for providing a number of images used on this page, particularly under the headings Labels, War Tax and Stamp paper.
Currency
- (1924) 16 annas = 1 rupee
- (1957) 100 paise = 1 rupee
- (1966) 1000 fils = 1 dinar
Airport Departure Fee
A1 and A11
1998-2003 (earliest recorded usage). State Arms and inscriptions on pale green and pink security background. 73 x 58 mm. Imperf three sides, roulette 6½ at left. No watermark. Serial number above centre in black. Printed by Oriental Press, Bahrain (imprint sideways at left).
a) Inscribed State of Bahrain at top in Arabic and English (1998)
A1. 3d pale pink, pale turquoise, black and red
b) Inscriptions at top changed to Kingdom of Bahrain (2003)
A11. 3d pale pink, pale turquoise, black and red
Note: the date given here is based on the earliest recorded usage for A1, which is 9 January 1998. Bahrain changed its formal name from the State of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 14th February 2002, so A11 with revised inscription was presumably issued shortly after this date. The earliest recorded usage of A11 is 9 August 2003.
a) Inscribed State of Bahrain at top in Arabic and English (1998)
A1. 3d pale pink, pale turquoise, black and red
b) Inscriptions at top changed to Kingdom of Bahrain (2003)
A11. 3d pale pink, pale turquoise, black and red
Note: the date given here is based on the earliest recorded usage for A1, which is 9 January 1998. Bahrain changed its formal name from the State of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 14th February 2002, so A11 with revised inscription was presumably issued shortly after this date. The earliest recorded usage of A11 is 9 August 2003.
Court Fee
No special Court Fee stamps for Bahrain are known to have been issued, but Court Fee adhesives of India were used there in the 1930s and 1940s. These can easily be identified from the large double-ring cancel inscribed HM's Political Agency / Bahrain as shown here, or a straight-line cancel with similar wording.
Labels
L1
1945-46. Skyline and hand holding ear of wheat. 22 x 22 mm. Issued by the Bahrain Charity Circle to raise money for literacy classes at A'aasha Umm Al Mumeneen Girls' School. Roulette 7. No wmk.
L1. 1a scarlet
The information given here about the date and purpose of this issue is taken from Cooper.
L1. 1a scarlet
The information given here about the date and purpose of this issue is taken from Cooper.
L4/5
c1970. Khamis Mosque. 29 x 41 mm. Inscribed For the good of Palestine (in Arabic only). Perf 13. No watermark. Centre multicoloured, country inscription in black; frame colours given. Printed by Pakistan Security Printing Corporation.
L4. 10f red
L5. 100f green
Note: these stamps are believed to be unissued charity labels but further information would be gratefully received.
L4. 10f red
L5. 100f green
Note: these stamps are believed to be unissued charity labels but further information would be gratefully received.
L6/7
1981. Traffic Safety labels, inscribed (in Arabic) The safety belt means safety for you. 25 x 41 mm. Perf 14½. No watermark. Printed by Oriental Press, Bahrain (imprint at foot).
L6. [No value] multicoloured (driver and steering wheel)
L7. [No value] black, orange-red and blue (car and safety belt)
L6. [No value] multicoloured (driver and steering wheel)
L7. [No value] black, orange-red and blue (car and safety belt)
Note: a series of cinderella fantasies inscribed 'Bahrain Camel Post' were produced in the UK between 1986 and 1990. For a full account of these issues, see Cooper pp27-31.
L11/12
1990s?-2002. Ears of wheat, with mesh background and coloured frame extending across the perforations. Inscribed Charity Stamp. 21 x 24 mm. Perf 14½ x 13½. No watermark. L12 printed in sheets of 50 (5 rows of 10 stamps).
a) Inscribed State of Bahrain at top in Arabic and English
L11. 10f green and black
b) Inscriptions at top changed to Kingdom of Bahrain
L12. 10f green and black
Note: Bahrain changed its formal name from the State of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 14th February 2002, so L12 with revised inscription was presumably issued shortly after this date. The issue date of L11 is not known.
a) Inscribed State of Bahrain at top in Arabic and English
L11. 10f green and black
b) Inscriptions at top changed to Kingdom of Bahrain
L12. 10f green and black
Note: Bahrain changed its formal name from the State of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 14th February 2002, so L12 with revised inscription was presumably issued shortly after this date. The issue date of L11 is not known.
Postal Order poundage
Illustrated above is a British postal order overprinted for use in Bahrain. The face value of 5p sterling has been changed to 60 fils, with a fee (poundage) of 50 fils payable. British postal orders were issued in a wide range of values and it is likely that many of these were overprinted for Bahrain. Such items are not listed on this website but further information can be obtained from the Postal Order Society.
Revenue
R1/7 (perf 12½)
R1a/5a (perf 9½) and R7b (perf 12)
1924. Pictorial designs: merchants (4a), harbour (8a), falconry (1r), oysters and pearls (5r), donkey transport (10r), camels (50r), oasis (100r). 56 x 49 mm (4a, 1r, 100r) or 49 x 56 mm (others). Perf 12½. No watermark. Printed (collotype) by Waterlow in sheets of 20. Inscriptions in black.
R4b on document with R1 and R4 (image from Cooper)
R1. 4a brown
a. Perf 9½
R2. 8a salmon-red
a. Perf 9½
R3. 1r black
a. Perf 9½
R4. 5r blue-grey
a. Perf 9½
b. Bisected on piece
R5. 10r violet
a. Perf 9½
R6. 50r yellow
R7. 100r green
b. Perf 12
a. Perf 9½
R2. 8a salmon-red
a. Perf 9½
R3. 1r black
a. Perf 9½
R4. 5r blue-grey
a. Perf 9½
b. Bisected on piece
R5. 10r violet
a. Perf 9½
R6. 50r yellow
R7. 100r green
b. Perf 12
Notes:
1. Cooper lists both the 50r and 100r perf 9½ but I have not seen these as issued stamps.
2. Several examples of R3 are known bisected though of uncertain status, as illustrated. I have not seen an example tied to a document.
3. All values are known as printer's samples with security punch holes and a Waterlow & Sons Specimen handstamp, either perf 9½ (4a, 8a, 10r, 100r) or imperf (8a, 1r, 5r, 50r). All values are also known as perf 12½ samples with punch holes but without handstamp. These are illustrated below.
4. These samples were originally distributed in leather folders with the words Waterlow & Sons Limited Specimens of Collotype Stamps on the cover, as illustrated here.
1. Cooper lists both the 50r and 100r perf 9½ but I have not seen these as issued stamps.
2. Several examples of R3 are known bisected though of uncertain status, as illustrated. I have not seen an example tied to a document.
3. All values are known as printer's samples with security punch holes and a Waterlow & Sons Specimen handstamp, either perf 9½ (4a, 8a, 10r, 100r) or imperf (8a, 1r, 5r, 50r). All values are also known as perf 12½ samples with punch holes but without handstamp. These are illustrated below.
4. These samples were originally distributed in leather folders with the words Waterlow & Sons Limited Specimens of Collotype Stamps on the cover, as illustrated here.
R3 bisect of uncertain status (see note 2)
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Set of samples with Waterlow Specimen handstamp, perf 9½ or imperf
Set of samples without specimen handstamp, all perf 12½
R8 (image from Cooper)
1920s? Previous issue surcharged 2 RUPEES in black.
R8. 2r on 1r black
R8. 2r on 1r black
R11/17
Two shades of the 1r: R13 (left) and R23 (right)
1953. Portrait of Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (4a to 1r) or pictorial designs: dhow (5r), Khamis Mosque (10r), royal palace (50r), fresh water pool and date palms (100r). 17 x 22½ mm, perf 12½ (4a to 1r); 22½ x 37 mm, perf 11½ x 12 (others). No watermark. Printed (recess) by De La Rue.
R11. 4a bronze-green
R12. 8a deep carmine
R13. 1r light blue
R14. 5r black and slate-blue
R15. 10r black and bright green
R16. 50r indigo and chocolate
R17. 100r black and claret
Notes:
1. Barefoot also records a 500r blue-green and black, but this is not listed by Cooper and I have never seen an example.
2. Examples of R12 can be found in a chestnut shade, but I believe these to be changelings caused by oxidation of the carmine ink.
R11. 4a bronze-green
R12. 8a deep carmine
R13. 1r light blue
R14. 5r black and slate-blue
R15. 10r black and bright green
R16. 50r indigo and chocolate
R17. 100r black and claret
Notes:
1. Barefoot also records a 500r blue-green and black, but this is not listed by Cooper and I have never seen an example.
2. Examples of R12 can be found in a chestnut shade, but I believe these to be changelings caused by oxidation of the carmine ink.
R21/23
1957. As R11/13 but change to new currency, with 1r in a deeper shade. Perf 12½.
R21. 25p green
R22. 50p deep violet
R23. 1r slate-blue
R21. 25p green
R22. 50p deep violet
R23. 1r slate-blue
R26/28
1962-63 (recorded usage). Date palm (1r) or dhow with Arms of Bahrain (5r). 21½ x 37½ mm. Perf 10½ or roulette 9½ (R28). No watermark. 5r printed (litho) by Oriental Press, Bahrain (imprint at foot).
R26. 1r green
R27. 5r black and dull blue (perf 10½)
R28. 5r black and bright blue (roulette 9½)
Notes:
1. Recorded usage: R26 (Dec 1962 to Mar 1963), R28 (Sep to Dec 1962).
2. Cooper also lists a 1r quartered to make a 25 paise stamp. I have not seen this.
R26. 1r green
R27. 5r black and dull blue (perf 10½)
R28. 5r black and bright blue (roulette 9½)
Notes:
1. Recorded usage: R26 (Dec 1962 to Mar 1963), R28 (Sep to Dec 1962).
2. Cooper also lists a 1r quartered to make a 25 paise stamp. I have not seen this.
R31/36
1963 (earliest recorded usage). As R13/17 and R22 but with portrait of Sheikh Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa. 17 x 22½ mm, perf 12½ (50p and 1r); 22½ x 37 mm, perf 11½ x 12 (others). No watermark. Printed (recess) by De La Rue.
R35a (image from Cooper)
R31. 50p violet
R32. 1r grey-blue
R33. 5r black and slate-blue
R34. 10r black and green
R35. 50r indigo and orange-brown
a. Bisected diagonally on piece
R36. 100r black and claret
Earliest recorded usage: R32 and R34 (May 1963), R33 (Jun 1965).
R32. 1r grey-blue
R33. 5r black and slate-blue
R34. 10r black and green
R35. 50r indigo and orange-brown
a. Bisected diagonally on piece
R36. 100r black and claret
Earliest recorded usage: R32 and R34 (May 1963), R33 (Jun 1965).
R41/46
R43a/44a
1967-73 (see note 1). As R31/6 but change to new currency. 17 x 22½ mm, perf 12½ (50f and 100f); 22½ x 37 mm, perf 11½ x 12 (others). No watermark. Printed (recess) by De La Rue. 500f to 10d printed in sheets of 60 (6 rows of 10).
R41. 50f violet
R42. 100f grey-blue
R43. 500f black and slate-blue
a. Black and blue, perf 12½ x 12
R44. 1d black and yellow-green
a. Black and green, perf 12½ x 12
R45. 5d indigo and orange-brown
R46. 10d black and claret
Notes:
1. The dates of issue are unknown but R42/43 are known used in Mar 1967. R44a exists in a complete sheet from the printer's archive, dated 8th June 1973.
2. Cooper also lists a 10r bisected, but I have not seen this.
R41. 50f violet
R42. 100f grey-blue
R43. 500f black and slate-blue
a. Black and blue, perf 12½ x 12
R44. 1d black and yellow-green
a. Black and green, perf 12½ x 12
R45. 5d indigo and orange-brown
R46. 10d black and claret
Notes:
1. The dates of issue are unknown but R42/43 are known used in Mar 1967. R44a exists in a complete sheet from the printer's archive, dated 8th June 1973.
2. Cooper also lists a 10r bisected, but I have not seen this.
R51/62
1971-89. New design inscribed STATE OF BAHRAIN and featuring the State arms, with portrait of Sheikh Isa bin Salman. 25 x 41 mm. Perf 14½. No watermark. Printed (photo) by The Oriental Press, Bahrain (imprint at foot). Arms and inscriptions in red and black, background colour given. Ordinary or luminescent paper (see footnote 3).
R51. 50f grey
R52. 100f ultramarine
R53. 200f bright reddish purple (1984)
R54. 300f orange
R55. 500f slate-blue
R56. 1d green
R57. 2d light blue (1986)
R58. 3d deep blue (1988)
R59. 5d red-brown
R60. 10d purple-brown
R61. 15d blue-green (1989)
R62. 25d deep violet (1989)
Notes:
1. Dates of issue are taken from Cooper.
2. I am grateful to David Jessich for pointing out that different kinds of paper were used for this issue - ordinary paper for the fils values and luminescent paper for the dinar values. The 1d, 2d, 3d, 5d and 10d values are all known on both types of paper, with the 15d and 25d on luminescent only. Jessich also notes that the luminescent paper normally fluoresces white under ultra-violet light, but that examples of the 1d and 5d values can be found which fluoresce bright yellow.
3. According to Jessich the 3d on non-luminescent paper is a dull violet-blue shade in contrast with the bright blue of the printing on fluorescent paper.
R51. 50f grey
R52. 100f ultramarine
R53. 200f bright reddish purple (1984)
R54. 300f orange
R55. 500f slate-blue
R56. 1d green
R57. 2d light blue (1986)
R58. 3d deep blue (1988)
R59. 5d red-brown
R60. 10d purple-brown
R61. 15d blue-green (1989)
R62. 25d deep violet (1989)
Notes:
1. Dates of issue are taken from Cooper.
2. I am grateful to David Jessich for pointing out that different kinds of paper were used for this issue - ordinary paper for the fils values and luminescent paper for the dinar values. The 1d, 2d, 3d, 5d and 10d values are all known on both types of paper, with the 15d and 25d on luminescent only. Jessich also notes that the luminescent paper normally fluoresces white under ultra-violet light, but that examples of the 1d and 5d values can be found which fluoresce bright yellow.
3. According to Jessich the 3d on non-luminescent paper is a dull violet-blue shade in contrast with the bright blue of the printing on fluorescent paper.
R71/77 including R73a
1992 (earliest recorded usage). New design showing Sheikh Isa bin Salman, Arms of Bahrain and swirly pattern. Inscribed State of Bahrain in English and Arabic. 25 x 40 mm. Perf 14½. No watermark. Arms and portrait multicoloured, value in blue, other inscriptions in black, background colours given.
R71. 50f greenish grey
R72. 100f green
R73. 500f violet
a. Rose-violet
R74. 1d grey-green
R75. 5d rose
R76. 10d light brown
R77. 30d bright yellow
Note: Jessich records all values on luminescent paper, and the 5d value additionally on non-luminescent paper. He also notes that the 10d exists in different shades.
R71. 50f greenish grey
R72. 100f green
R73. 500f violet
a. Rose-violet
R74. 1d grey-green
R75. 5d rose
R76. 10d light brown
R77. 30d bright yellow
Note: Jessich records all values on luminescent paper, and the 5d value additionally on non-luminescent paper. He also notes that the 10d exists in different shades.
R81/86
2009 (earliest recorded usage). Similar to previous issue but now inscribed Kingdom of Bahrain at sides, no state arms and with portrait of King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. 25 x 40 mm. Perf 14½. No watermark. Portrait multicoloured, value in blue, other inscriptions in black, background colour given.
R81. 500f bright pink
R82. 1d pale green
R83. 2d pale blue
R84. 3d brown-orange
R85. 5d rose
R86. 10d grey
Earliest recorded usage: June 2009 (1d), August 2010 (2d and 3d), April 2011 (5d).
R81. 500f bright pink
R82. 1d pale green
R83. 2d pale blue
R84. 3d brown-orange
R85. 5d rose
R86. 10d grey
Earliest recorded usage: June 2009 (1d), August 2010 (2d and 3d), April 2011 (5d).
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There is no record of adhesive revenue stamps being used in Bahrain since 2015, as these have been replaced by self-adhesive printed-on-demand receipts. The one illustrated here was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in December 2015. It has security features including a hologram, a die-cut star and a six-digit security number. Details of the transaction including the date and the face value are printed at the time of issue, along with a QR code to enable efficient electronic processing.
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Revenue usage of Postage stamps
The 2r, 5r and 10r stamps illustrated here were formerly listed as S125/127. These have now been deleted since the cancels cannot be verified as fiscal. I would be grateful to any reader who can supply a scan of these or other postage stamps used on a revenue document.
War Tax
Note: for a full background to the issues listed under this heading, see Cooper pp18-21.
T1/2
c1967. Revenue adhesives (R42/3) with two-line Arabic War Effort handstamp in violet or red, applied by the Bahrain Customs Department.
T1. 100f grey-blue
T2. 500f slate-blue
T1. 100f grey-blue
T2. 500f slate-blue
T6/7
c1971. Similar handstamp on later revenue adhesives R52 and R55.
T6. 100f ultramarine
T7. 500f grey-blue
T6. 100f ultramarine
T7. 500f grey-blue
T11/12
1973 (October). One-line Arabic War Effort handstamp in purple or black on 5f postage stamp bearing the Sheikh's portrait.
T11. 5f blue-green (opt in purple)
T12. 5f blue-green (opt in black)
Note: this should probably be classed as a cancel rather than an overprint since it appears to have been applied only after the stamp was stuck to an envelope, and can be found upright, inverted, sideways or diagonally.
T11. 5f blue-green (opt in purple)
T12. 5f blue-green (opt in black)
Note: this should probably be classed as a cancel rather than an overprint since it appears to have been applied only after the stamp was stuck to an envelope, and can be found upright, inverted, sideways or diagonally.
T16 and T16a
1973 (21st October). New manuscript design inscribed War Effort 5 fils in Arabic. 21 x 24 mm. Perf 14½. No watermark.
T16. 5f light blue and blue
a. Handstamped War Effort in Arabic
Note: T16a has the same handstamp or cancel as T11/12, which - as Cooper rightly points out - was unnecessary. This may have been done by favour.
T16. 5f light blue and blue
a. Handstamped War Effort in Arabic
Note: T16a has the same handstamp or cancel as T11/12, which - as Cooper rightly points out - was unnecessary. This may have been done by favour.
T17/18
1973 (1st December). Same inscription in a new manuscript design. 21 x 24 mm. No watermark.
T17. 5f blue (perf 14½)
T18. 5f pale blue (perf 14½ x 14)
T17. 5f blue (perf 14½)
T18. 5f pale blue (perf 14½ x 14)
Stamp paper
Note: all the information on these issues including dates of issue is from Cooper pp24-25.
Z1
1930. Flags (in red) and inscriptions.
Z1. 2a black and red
Z1. 2a black and red
Z11
1953. Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, dhow and palace. Inscribed Bahrain Government in Arabic (at left) and English.
Z11. 2a green and pale salmon
Z11. 2a green and pale salmon
Z21 (image from Cooper)
1961. Sheikh Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa, airport and shipping. Inscribed Bahrain Government in English (at left) and Arabic. Currency in naye paise.
Z21. 12np chestnut
Z21. 12np chestnut
Z31
1966. Similar to Z21 but currency changed to fils.
Z31. 12f chestnut
Z31. 12f chestnut
Z40/41
1966. As Z31 but with different portrait.
Z40. 12f chestnut
Z41. 15f chestnut
Z40. 12f chestnut
Z41. 15f chestnut
Z51/52
1971. As Z41 but inscribed State of Bahrain in English (at left) and Arabic.
Z51. 15f chestnut
Z52. 30f Venetian red
Recorded usage: 1976 (Z51)
Z51. 15f chestnut
Z52. 30f Venetian red
Recorded usage: 1976 (Z51)
Z61/63
c1990s. New design with portrait similar to 1992 revenue adhesive issue.
Type I: Sheikh's headdress touching frame, left-hand value tablet in sans-serif font
Z61. 50f multicoloured
Type II: Sheikh's headdress clear of frame, left-hand value tablet in seriffed font
Z62. 50f multicoloured
Z63. 100f multicoloured
Type I: Sheikh's headdress touching frame, left-hand value tablet in sans-serif font
Z61. 50f multicoloured
Type II: Sheikh's headdress clear of frame, left-hand value tablet in seriffed font
Z62. 50f multicoloured
Z63. 100f multicoloured
Z72
2019 (first recorded). Map of Bahrain, king and mosque. Inscribed Kingdom of Bahrain.
Z72. 100f multicoloured
Z72. 100f multicoloured
