Somalia: Italian Trust Territory (1950-1960) and Independent (1960-present)
Following the British Occupation, Somalia reverted to Italian control on 1st April 1950, and then became independent in 1960.
Chapter overview
- Italian Trust Territory Revenue
- Independent Somalia Revenue
- Labels (catalogue numbers prefixed L)
- Sales Tax (catalogue numbers prefixed T)
- Stamp paper (catalogue numbers prefixed P)
- Mogadishu Municipal (catalogue numbers prefixed M)
Currency:
(1950) 1 somalo (plural somali) = 100 centesimi
(1961) 1 Somali shilling (abbreviated in inscriptions to Sh So) = 100 centesimi
Printers:
Except where otherwise stated, all stamps are believed to have been printed (photo) by the Government Printing Works, Rome. They were responsible for almost all the postage stamps of Somalia during the ITT and Republic period, and their imprint appears on many revenue issues.
Italian Trust Territory Revenue
#51-63
1950. Somali lion, 16½ x 21 mm. Inscribed 'Somalia Marca da Bollo'. Perf 14. Wmk winged wheel.
51. 1c chocolate and pale yellow
52. 2c orange and pale yellow
53. 5c indigo and pale yellow
54. 10c carmine and pale yellow
55. 20c grey-black and pale yellow
56. 30c deep blue and pale yellow
57. 50c bronze-green and pale yellow
58. 1s chestnut and pale yellow
59. 2s deep blue and greenish grey
60. 4s red-brown and greenish grey
61. 5s bronze-green and greenish grey
62. 10s magenta and greenish grey
63. 20s violet and greenish grey
The date of 1950 is given by Bussoli, and can be supposed from the fact that all the other types of adhesive stamp (postage, airmail, parcel post and postage due) for ITT Somalia were issued between April and May of that year.
Note: Bussoli and Unificato also list a 50s red, but I have not seen this.
For similar stamps but with watermark multiple stars, see #91ff. For the 4s and 10s denominated in 'Sh So', see #159 and #165.
51. 1c chocolate and pale yellow
52. 2c orange and pale yellow
53. 5c indigo and pale yellow
54. 10c carmine and pale yellow
55. 20c grey-black and pale yellow
56. 30c deep blue and pale yellow
57. 50c bronze-green and pale yellow
58. 1s chestnut and pale yellow
59. 2s deep blue and greenish grey
60. 4s red-brown and greenish grey
61. 5s bronze-green and greenish grey
62. 10s magenta and greenish grey
63. 20s violet and greenish grey
The date of 1950 is given by Bussoli, and can be supposed from the fact that all the other types of adhesive stamp (postage, airmail, parcel post and postage due) for ITT Somalia were issued between April and May of that year.
Note: Bussoli and Unificato also list a 50s red, but I have not seen this.
For similar stamps but with watermark multiple stars, see #91ff. For the 4s and 10s denominated in 'Sh So', see #159 and #165.
#71-72 and #76
1955 (according to Bussoli). Previous issue surcharged bilingually, in Italian at top and in Arabic at foot.
a) 'CENT.' in capitals, with figures of value 4½ mm high on line below
71. 20c on 1c chocolate and pale yellow
72. 50c on 2c orange and pale yellow
b) 'Cent.' in mixed case, with figures of value 2½ mm high on same line
76. 30c on 1c chocolate and pale yellow
a) 'CENT.' in capitals, with figures of value 4½ mm high on line below
71. 20c on 1c chocolate and pale yellow
72. 50c on 2c orange and pale yellow
b) 'Cent.' in mixed case, with figures of value 2½ mm high on same line
76. 30c on 1c chocolate and pale yellow
#81-82 (#82 illustration from Unificato)
1955 (according to Bussoli). Similar types but surcharged in Italian only, at foot of stamp. 'Cent.' in mixed case, with figures of value 2½ mm high on same line.
81. 30c on 2c orange and pale yellow
82. 50c on 2c orange and pale yellow
Notes: The 50c on 2c stamp illustrated here is from the Unificato catalogue, and seems to show an antique-style font in the surcharge. I have not seen an example of this stamp to be able to confirm this.
For similar surcharges but with the value expressed as 'Cent. 0,50' rather than 'Cent. 50', see #121ff.
81. 30c on 2c orange and pale yellow
82. 50c on 2c orange and pale yellow
Notes: The 50c on 2c stamp illustrated here is from the Unificato catalogue, and seems to show an antique-style font in the surcharge. I have not seen an example of this stamp to be able to confirm this.
For similar surcharges but with the value expressed as 'Cent. 0,50' rather than 'Cent. 50', see #121ff.
#91 and #95 (#95 illustration from Unificato)
1956 (according to Bussoli). Somali lion as before but watermark changed to multiple stars, 30c in new colour.
91. 1c chocolate and pale yellow
95. 30c sepia and pale yellow
Notes: the star watermark was first used on Somali postage stamps in 1955 (Third Somali Fair issue). Bussoli also lists a 1s, 2s and 4s in this watermark; Unificato lists the same values plus a 5s, 20s and 50s. I have not seen any of these values.
91. 1c chocolate and pale yellow
95. 30c sepia and pale yellow
Notes: the star watermark was first used on Somali postage stamps in 1955 (Third Somali Fair issue). Bussoli also lists a 1s, 2s and 4s in this watermark; Unificato lists the same values plus a 5s, 20s and 50s. I have not seen any of these values.
#101-102 and #106
1959 (according to Bussoli). New national emblem (inaugurated 1957), 22 x 27½ mm. Value expressed as 'So 0,20' or 'So 0,50'. Perf 14. Wmk multiple stars.
a) Inscribed with value only (no country name or appropriation specified), in Arabic at top and in Italian at foot
101. 20c bright blue
102. 50c purple-brown
b) Inscribed 'MARCA DA BOLLO / SOMALIA', with value in Italian at lower left and in Arabic at lower right
106. 20c bright blue
a) Inscribed with value only (no country name or appropriation specified), in Arabic at top and in Italian at foot
101. 20c bright blue
102. 50c purple-brown
b) Inscribed 'MARCA DA BOLLO / SOMALIA', with value in Italian at lower left and in Arabic at lower right
106. 20c bright blue
#111-112
c1959. Similar to #106 but in smaller format (17 x 20½ mm). Perf 14. Wmk multiple stars.
111. 100s red
112. 200s yellowish olive
111. 100s red
112. 200s yellowish olive
Independent Somalia Revenue
#121 and #131
c1960. Italian Trust Territory issues surcharged in new currency, cents values expressed as 'Cent 0,50' or similar and shillings values as 'Sh. So. 1' etc.
a) Lion type (as #51)
121. 50c on 1c chocolate and pale yellow
b) National emblem type, large format (as #106)
131. 1s on 20c bright blue
Notes: according to both Bussoli and Unificato, the Lion stamps are wmk winged wheel, though I am unable to confirm this myself. Bussoli and Unificato also list the following surcharges on the Lion revenues, none of which I have seen: 30c on 5c (Unificato only), 50c on 5c, 1s on 2c, 1s on 5c (surch in red), 2s on 2c, 2s on 5c.
a) Lion type (as #51)
121. 50c on 1c chocolate and pale yellow
b) National emblem type, large format (as #106)
131. 1s on 20c bright blue
Notes: according to both Bussoli and Unificato, the Lion stamps are wmk winged wheel, though I am unable to confirm this myself. Bussoli and Unificato also list the following surcharges on the Lion revenues, none of which I have seen: 30c on 5c (Unificato only), 50c on 5c, 1s on 2c, 1s on 5c (surch in red), 2s on 2c, 2s on 5c.
#141-142 (#141 illustration from Unificato, #142 from Bussoli)
c1960. New large type featuring national emblem, inscribed 'Repubblica Somala Marca da Bollo'. The 50c has the printer's imprint at foot. Wmk multiple stars.
141. 50c blue and black
142. 1s brick-red and black
141. 50c blue and black
142. 1s brick-red and black
#151-165
1960s. As earlier issues but now with values in Somali shillings ('Sh So'). Lion (4s and 10s) or small-format national emblem as #111/2 (others), the 5c to 3s, 5s and 20s additionally inscribed 'REVENUE STAMP' in English. Wmk multiple stars.
151. 5c deep violet
152. 10c blue-green
153. 20c pale blue
154. 30c bright magenta
155. 50c ultramarine
156. 1s orange-brown
157. 2s deep brown
158. 3s purple
159. 4s brown and greenish grey (Lion)
160. 5s bronze-green
161. 10s claret and greenish grey (Lion)
162. 20s deep reddish violet
163. 50s deep green
164. 60s bright yellow-green
165. 100s red
Note: the imprint on the 50s and 100s reads 'IPS - ROMA', while on all the other values and all previous issues it reads 'IPS - OFF CARTE VALORI - ROMA'.
Barefoot lists a 10s red in the national emblem design, though I have not seen this.
151. 5c deep violet
152. 10c blue-green
153. 20c pale blue
154. 30c bright magenta
155. 50c ultramarine
156. 1s orange-brown
157. 2s deep brown
158. 3s purple
159. 4s brown and greenish grey (Lion)
160. 5s bronze-green
161. 10s claret and greenish grey (Lion)
162. 20s deep reddish violet
163. 50s deep green
164. 60s bright yellow-green
165. 100s red
Note: the imprint on the 50s and 100s reads 'IPS - ROMA', while on all the other values and all previous issues it reads 'IPS - OFF CARTE VALORI - ROMA'.
Barefoot lists a 10s red in the national emblem design, though I have not seen this.
The stamp shown here was sold on eBay in 2010. It is similar to #161 but printed in a single colour on unwatermarked paper. This could be a crude government reprint, but equally it might possibly be a forgery.
#174/181 and #191/201
#201 with printer's imprint
c1990s. New types. 17 x 21 mm. No wmk. Printed by De La Rue.
a) Perf 14 x 13½
174. 4s purple-brown
181. 200s yellowish olive
b) Perf 13
191. 1s deep ultramarine
198. 20s deep slate
201. 200s yellowish olive
Note: the imprint piece shown here proves that #201 was printed by De La Rue. I presume that the other values were also the work of DLR, though this cannot be confirmed at present.
a) Perf 14 x 13½
174. 4s purple-brown
181. 200s yellowish olive
b) Perf 13
191. 1s deep ultramarine
198. 20s deep slate
201. 200s yellowish olive
Note: the imprint piece shown here proves that #201 was printed by De La Rue. I presume that the other values were also the work of DLR, though this cannot be confirmed at present.
Labels
L1
c1956. Anti-Tuberculosis fundraising label. Mother and child, with Cross of Lorraine and Red Crescent symbols. Denominated in somali (pre-1961 currency).
L1. 20c black, deep brown, green and red
Sales Tax
T1-T3 (T3 illustration from Unificato)
1960s? Starburst. 32 x 18 mm. Imperf three sides, roulette 9 at left. No watermark. Printed by De La Rue, with imprint in lower right corner.
T1. 5s sepia
T2. 100s violet
T3. 500s deep green
So far these stamps have been recorded only as singles, but the rouletting at left suggests that they may have been issued as two-part pairs. If so, it is possible that the two halves of the stamp were divided when the stamp was used on receipts, one half being on the customer's copy and the other on the retailer's copy.
T1. 5s sepia
T2. 100s violet
T3. 500s deep green
So far these stamps have been recorded only as singles, but the rouletting at left suggests that they may have been issued as two-part pairs. If so, it is possible that the two halves of the stamp were divided when the stamp was used on receipts, one half being on the customer's copy and the other on the retailer's copy.
Stamp paper
P1-2, with image at top showing P2 on complete paper
1970s? National emblem inside toothed-wheel motif.
P1. 3s brown
P2. 5s brown
P1. 3s brown
P2. 5s brown
P11 (part)
1970s? Scrollwork design with star in centre.
P11. 50c grey-black
This paper is known only from the single partial example shown here. Other values may exist.
Mogadishu Municipal
1952 (earliest recorded usage). Arms. Inscribed 'Municipio di Mogadiscio', with value expressed as 'Cent' or 'Somalo'. 22 x 29 mm. Perf 11. No wmk.
1952 (earliest recorded usage). Arms. Inscribed 'Municipio di Mogadiscio', with value expressed as 'Cent' or 'Somalo'. 22 x 29 mm. Perf 11. No wmk.
 M1 |
 M6-7 |
a) 'Dir. Rimb. Stamp.' (Stamp duty reimbursement fees)
M1. 50c pale grey-blue
b) 'Diritti Sanitari' (Health inspection fees)
M6. 3s red-brown
M7. 16s bright green
M1. 50c pale grey-blue
b) 'Diritti Sanitari' (Health inspection fees)
M6. 3s red-brown
M7. 16s bright green
M11-12 (image of M12 taken from Alfano)
c) 'Diritti Segretaria' (Secretariat fees)
M11. 20c ultramarine
M12. 50s ?colour
Notes: The earliest known usage of these issues is a 1952 document bearing M1 and M11 in combination. M6 and M7 were used on vaccination certificates against smallpox and yellow fever respectively. M12 is known only from Alfano's catalogue.
M11. 20c ultramarine
M12. 50s ?colour
Notes: The earliest known usage of these issues is a 1952 document bearing M1 and M11 in combination. M6 and M7 were used on vaccination certificates against smallpox and yellow fever respectively. M12 is known only from Alfano's catalogue.
M21-22
c2000. Arms design, crudely printed. Inscribed 'D HOOSE EE XAMAR' (or 'XeMAR'). 33 x 13 mm (M21) or 35 x 13 (M22). Imperf, but apparently with perforations printed at edge of design. No wmk.
M21. 40s black and yellow
M22. 100s black and yellow
Note: these stamps are found used on identity cards in conjunction with #160.
M21. 40s black and yellow
M22. 100s black and yellow
Note: these stamps are found used on identity cards in conjunction with #160.
