Libya: An illustrated key to the different types used since 1943
This page is provided as an aid to identifying Libyan revenue stamps from 1943 to the present day. Under the illustration of a particular design or type is a pointer to the place in the catalogue text where a fuller description can be found. The Libya listing is divided into four sections:
- British Occupation (1943-1951)
- Kingdom regional issues (1951-1969)
- Kingdom federal issues (1951-1969)
- Republic and People's Republic (1969-present)
This illustration page is arranged as follows:
- Overprinted or surcharged types
- Unoverprinted types
- A detailed guide to identifying the post-1969 octagon key types
1. Overprinted or surcharged types
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The five types shown above (with or without surcharge in MAL) are listed under British Occupation Tripolitania
From left to right: T3/10 (seriffed overprint), T11/18 (bold sans-serif overprint), T21/17, T31/35 and T41/44
From left to right: T3/10 (seriffed overprint), T11/18 (bold sans-serif overprint), T21/17, T31/35 and T41/44
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2. Unoverprinted types
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 Kingdom regional issues - Fezzan F1/8
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 Kingdom regional issues - Fezzan F11
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 Republic and People's Republic
Airport Tax A1/3 |
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3. A detailed guide to identifying the post-1969 octagon key types
No fewer than eight separate revenue issues since 1969 have been based on the same design of a central octagon with rounded edges, surrounded by four rectangular panels. The large number of variations - coupled with the fact that all the inscriptions are in Arabic only - can make these issues difficult to distinguish.
No fewer than eight separate revenue issues since 1969 have been based on the same design of a central octagon with rounded edges, surrounded by four rectangular panels. The large number of variations - coupled with the fact that all the inscriptions are in Arabic only - can make these issues difficult to distinguish.
The enlarged illustrations below are designed to help with identification. Each different type of top, side and bottom panel is given a capital letter reference, then the table at the foot of this page shows which combination corresponds to which catalogue numbers.
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TOP PANEL (country name) A. One line of Arabic: 'The Libyan Arab Republic’ B. Two lines of Arabic: 'Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya’ C. Two lines of Arabic: Almost identical to B but with 'Great' added at left-hand end of second line |
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SIDE PANELS (appropriation) J. Left and right panels different: ‘Taxes’ at left ‘and Fees’ at right K. Left and right panels different: ‘Department of’ at left, ‘Taxes’ at right L. Left and right panels identical: ‘Bureau of Taxes’ M. Left and right panels identical: ‘Department of Taxes’ N. Left and right panels identical: ‘Department of Taxes’ Sharper and taller letters than type M |
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BOTTOM PANEL (value tablet) V. Arabic numerals Currency in millièmes W. Arabic numerals Currency in dirhams X. Western numerals Currency in dirhams |
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The following table shows the catalogue numbers corresponding to each known combination.
Top A + Side J + Bottom V = R113/136
Top A + Side J + Bottom W = R141/7
Top A + Side K + Bottom W = R152/7
Top B + Side K + Bottom W = R162/9
Top B + Side L + Bottom W = R173/8
Top C + Side L + Bottom X = R181/7
Top C + Side M + Bottom X = R191/207
Top C + Side N + Bottom X = R215/7
All these series are listed on the Libya: Republic and People's Republic page.
