Eritrea: Ethiopian (1952-1991) and Independent (1991-present)
Eritrea was federated with Ethiopia in 1950 under a United Nations resolution, and gained independence in 1991 after a long struggle.
Chapter overview
- Asmara Municipal (Ethiopian)
- Eritrea Inland Revenue (Ethiopian)
- Stamp paper (Ethiopian)
- Eritrea revenue (Independent)
Currency:
(1950) 1 Ethiopian dollar ($ Et, Eth D, Eth $ or E$) = 100 cents
(1976) 1 Ethiopian birr (b) = 100 santim or cents
(1997) 1 nakfa = 100 cents
Asmara Municipal (Ethiopian)
1952 (according to Barefoot). Large-format revenue key types of Italian Colonies overprinted 'Municipio Asmara' (=Asmara Municipal) in sans-serif letters, with horizontal bars cancelling original value and a new currency expressed in '$ Et'. The portrait shows the king facing left on #A32 and facing right on all other stamps.
1952 (according to Barefoot). Large-format revenue key types of Italian Colonies overprinted 'Municipio Asmara' (=Asmara Municipal) in sans-serif letters, with horizontal bars cancelling original value and a new currency expressed in '$ Et'. The portrait shows the king facing left on #A32 and facing right on all other stamps.
A31-33
a) Four thick cancelling bars, with vertical spacing of 2mm (A31/2) or 1mm (A33) between 'Municipio' and 'Asmara'
A31. E$0.20 on 5l grey-black
A32. E$0.50 on 80c greenish grey (king facing left)
A33. E$0.50 on 5l grey-black
A31. E$0.20 on 5l grey-black
A32. E$0.50 on 80c greenish grey (king facing left)
A33. E$0.50 on 5l grey-black
A36-37
b) Nine thin cancelling bars, with overprint at top of stamp to cover original inscription and 3 mm vertically between 'Municipio' and 'Asmara'
A36. E$0.50 on 3l bistre
A37. E$1.00 on 3l bistre
A36. E$0.50 on 3l bistre
A37. E$1.00 on 3l bistre
A38-39 and A39a
c) Four thick cancelling bars through value and four thinner bars through 'COLONIE ITALIANE', vertical spacing of 2mm (A38) or 1mm (A39/a) between 'Municipio' and 'Asmara'
A38. E$0.20 on 5l grey-black
A39. E$0.50 on 5c mauve
a. cancelling bars doubled
A38. E$0.20 on 5l grey-black
A39. E$0.50 on 5c mauve
a. cancelling bars doubled
A41-42
1960?. Municipal building, inscribed 'MUNICIPIO DI ASMARA SEGNATASSE'.
A41. E$0.50 scarlet
A42. E$1.00 bright blue
Note: Although these stamps are listed as revenues in the Unificato catalogue, they are in fact inscribed 'Segnatasse', which usually means Postage Due. If this is the case, the inscription 'Municipio di Asmara' is not the name of the issuing authority but just a caption for the illustration of the Asmara City Hall. If any reader can illustrate one of these stamps used on either a revenue document or an underpaid item of mail, this will resolve the issue beyond doubt.
A41. E$0.50 scarlet
A42. E$1.00 bright blue
Note: Although these stamps are listed as revenues in the Unificato catalogue, they are in fact inscribed 'Segnatasse', which usually means Postage Due. If this is the case, the inscription 'Municipio di Asmara' is not the name of the issuing authority but just a caption for the illustration of the Asmara City Hall. If any reader can illustrate one of these stamps used on either a revenue document or an underpaid item of mail, this will resolve the issue beyond doubt.
Eritrea Inland Revenue (Ethiopian)
#81-91 (#80 illustrated below right)
1952 (according to Barefoot). Key types of Eritrea (British Occupation) with values in cents or shillings, surcharged in 'Eth D', with bars cancelling original value. 17½ x 29½ mm (E$0.02 to E$0.30) or 21½ x 37½mm (E$0.35 and above). Perf 14. No wmk (E$7.00) or wmk multiple OTA (others), sideways on larger type, normally reading upwards as seen from the back of the stamp.
#80
a) Surcharged in red with four bars cancelling original value
80. E$0.02 on 5c deep orange
b) Surcharged in black with twelve bars cancelling original value
81. E$0.02 on 5c deep orange
82. E$0.04 on 10c olive
83. E$0.07 on 20c bright rose
84. E$0.14 on 40c violet
85. E$0.18 on 50c on 2c blue-green
86. E$0.30 on 85c mauve
87. E$0.35 on 1s mauve
88. E$0.44 on 1s25c pale blue
89. E$0.70 on 2s bright rose
90. E$1.40 on 4s ultramarine
91. E$7.00 on 20s pale bluish grey
Note: Barefoot also lists an E$35.00 on 100s purple-brown, but I have never seen this.
80. E$0.02 on 5c deep orange
b) Surcharged in black with twelve bars cancelling original value
81. E$0.02 on 5c deep orange
82. E$0.04 on 10c olive
83. E$0.07 on 20c bright rose
84. E$0.14 on 40c violet
85. E$0.18 on 50c on 2c blue-green
86. E$0.30 on 85c mauve
87. E$0.35 on 1s mauve
88. E$0.44 on 1s25c pale blue
89. E$0.70 on 2s bright rose
90. E$1.40 on 4s ultramarine
91. E$7.00 on 20s pale bluish grey
Note: Barefoot also lists an E$35.00 on 100s purple-brown, but I have never seen this.
#101-109
c1953 (according to Barefoot). As previous issue but value expressed in 'Eth D'. Perf 14. Wmk multiple OTA, sideways on larger type, normally reading upwards as seen from the back of the stamp.
101. E$0.02 deep orange
102. E$0.04 olive
103. E$0.07 bright rose
104. E$0.14 violet
105. E$0.30 mauve
106. E$0.35 mauve
107. E$0.44 pale blue
108. E$0.70 bright rose
109. E$1.40 ultramarine
101. E$0.02 deep orange
102. E$0.04 olive
103. E$0.07 bright rose
104. E$0.14 violet
105. E$0.30 mauve
106. E$0.35 mauve
107. E$0.44 pale blue
108. E$0.70 bright rose
109. E$1.40 ultramarine
#111-119
1955 (according to Barefoot). As previous issue but value shown trilingually in Amharic, English and Arabic. Perf 14. Wmk multiple OTA, sideways on larger type, normally reading upwards as seen from the back of the stamp.
111. E$0.02 deep orange
112. E$0.04 olive
113. E$0.07 bright rose
114. E$0.14 violet
115. E$0.30 mauve
116. E$0.35 mauve
117. E$0.44 pale blue
118. E$0.70 bright rose
119. E$1.40 ultramarine
111. E$0.02 deep orange
112. E$0.04 olive
113. E$0.07 bright rose
114. E$0.14 violet
115. E$0.30 mauve
116. E$0.35 mauve
117. E$0.44 pale blue
118. E$0.70 bright rose
119. E$1.40 ultramarine
#120 and 120a
1955. Previous issue surcharged trilingually in English, Amharic and Arabic, with twelve bars cancelling original value.
120. E$0.01 on E$0.02 deep orange
a. second bar omitted
120. E$0.01 on E$0.02 deep orange
a. second bar omitted
#121-132
1960 (earliest recorded usage). New key type featuring Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. 17½ x 29½ mm (E$0.05 to E$0.70) or 21½ x 38 mm (E$1.00 and above). Perf 14. Wmk multiple OTA, sideways on larger type, normally reading upwards as seen from the back of the stamp.
Earliest usage: E$2 used in 1960
121. E$0.05 bright rose
122. E$0.10 deep ultramarine
123. E$0.15 pale blue
124. E$0.30 violet
125. E$0.45 brown
126. E$0.70 mauve
127. E$1.00 bright rose
128. E$2.00 violet
129. E$5.00 ultramarine
130. E$10.00 mauve
131. E$20.00 olive-brown
132. E$35.00 pale blue
122. E$0.10 deep ultramarine
123. E$0.15 pale blue
124. E$0.30 violet
125. E$0.45 brown
126. E$0.70 mauve
127. E$1.00 bright rose
128. E$2.00 violet
129. E$5.00 ultramarine
130. E$10.00 mauve
131. E$20.00 olive-brown
132. E$35.00 pale blue
Stamp paper (Ethiopian)
P1
1962 (earliest recorded usage). Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia.
P1. E$0.70 deep violet
The country name Eritrea is not included in the inscription of this design, though the typed heading in this example clearly refers to use in the territory. The stamp paper itself might conceivably be an issue for Ethiopia which was used in Eritrea.
P1. E$0.70 deep violet
The country name Eritrea is not included in the inscription of this design, though the typed heading in this example clearly refers to use in the territory. The stamp paper itself might conceivably be an issue for Ethiopia which was used in Eritrea.
Eritrea revenue (Independent)
Issues following the liberation of Eritrea by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front.
#151-152
1991 (according to Barefoot). Inscribed 'Provisional Government of Eritrea (EPLF)'. Coat of Arms showing tools. 30 x 26 mm. Perf 11. No wmk. Gum shiny (50c) or matt (5b).
151. 50c green and blue
152. 5b pale green and green
151. 50c green and blue
152. 5b pale green and green
#156-158
1993 (according to Barefoot). Inscribed 'The State of Eritrea'. New national Coat of Arms showing camel. 30 x 26 mm. Perf 11. No wmk. Matt gum.
156. 1b pale yellow and blue
157. 2b pale pink and blue
158. 10b pale red-orange and red
156. 1b pale yellow and blue
157. 2b pale pink and blue
158. 10b pale red-orange and red
#161-162
1997 (according to Barefoot). Fish. 38 x 27½ mm. Perf 11 x 10½ or roulette 9. No wmk. Matt gum.
161. 20c multicoloured (perf 11 x 10½)
162. 20c multicoloured (roulette 9)
The rouletted stamps are usually imperforate on two sides, suggesting that they may come in panes of 4 stamps imperforate all round.
161. 20c multicoloured (perf 11 x 10½)
162. 20c multicoloured (roulette 9)
The rouletted stamps are usually imperforate on two sides, suggesting that they may come in panes of 4 stamps imperforate all round.