Yemen (Northern / Kingdom / Yemen Arab Republic)
The northern part of Yemen was a kingdom from 1918 onwards, and was then known as Yemen Arab Republic from 1962 until 1990. The south (the Colony and Protectorate of Aden) was under British control until independence, and subsequently became known as the Federation of South Arabia (1962-67), the People's Republic of South Yemen (1967-70), and then as the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (1970). A new constitution to unite north and south was drafted in November 1989, and the united Republic of Yemen was declared on 22nd May 1990.
Listed on this page are stamps for the following states:
- Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen (1918-1962)
- Yemen Arab Republic (1962-1990)
- Republic of Yemen (1990-present)
For stamps inscribed Federation of South Arabia, People's Republic of South Yemen or People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, see under Yemen (Southern / People's Democratic Republic).
Chapter overview
- Airport Tax (catalogue numbers prefixed A)
- Consular (catalogue numbers prefixed C)
- Defence (catalogue numbers prefixed D)
- Judicial (catalogue numbers prefixed J)
- Passport (catalogue numbers prefixed P)
- Revenue (catalogue numbers prefixed R)
- Sea Departure (catalogue numbers prefixed T)
- Stamp Duty (catalogue numbers prefixed S)
- Appendix (catalogue numbers prefixed X)
Currency
- (1926) 40 bogshas or bogaches (singular bogchah) = 1 imadi (rial)
- (1948) 40 bogaches = 1 ahmadi (rial)
- (1964) 40 bogaches (or buqsha) = 1 rial
- (1975) 100 fils = 1 rial
Acknowledgments
Grateful thanks to Joe Ross for providing almost all the images shown on the original version of this page, and to Leo Malz for a major supplement of both images and information.
Airport Tax
A1/2
1971. Aircraft and terminal. Inscribed Air Departure Fee in Arabic and English, with Taxation Department in Arabic above aeroplane. Printed by De La Rue.
A1. 3r rose and pale brown
A2. 10r greenish blue and pale brown
Note: proofs of this issue exist on De La Rue approval cards dated 27/9/71. It is assumed that the stamps were issued later in 1971 or in early 1972.
A1. 3r rose and pale brown
A2. 10r greenish blue and pale brown
Note: proofs of this issue exist on De La Rue approval cards dated 27/9/71. It is assumed that the stamps were issued later in 1971 or in early 1972.
A10/11
1980s? Coat of Arms. 27 x 37½ mm. Inscribed Ministry of Communications Department of Civil Aviation Airport Fee. Perf 14 x 15. No watermark.
A10. 2r scarlet
A11. 10r bright blue
A10. 2r scarlet
A11. 10r bright blue
Consular
C1/3
1940s? Consular fee stamps, inscribed Mutawakkalite State of Yemen at top and Consular stamp at foot. Central inscription reads Imam Al-Mutawakkil 'ala Allah Yahya bin Mohammed, may Allah protect him. 38 x 22½ mm. Perf 12½. Wmk Multiple YG (=Yemen Government) and the corresponding Arabic letters ي ج (sideways). Printed by Waterlow.
C1. 5b dull purple
C2. 10b black
C3. 20b bluish slate
C1. 5b dull purple
C2. 10b black
C3. 20b bluish slate
C1 printer's sample in unissued colour
Notes:
1. The date of issue is likely to be no later than 1948, since the Imam named in the central inscription was assassinated on 17th February of that year.
2. The example of C3 illustrated above shows an unidentified purple cachet which may be a cancel or an overprint. If it is the latter, I assume it also exists without.
3. The 5b also exists as a Waterlow printer's sample in orange-brown (see illustration above right).
4. The 5b and 10b are also known (in issued colours) with Royalist overprints, as shown below. These are postage stamps and are listed by Gibbons as SG R58b and R38/a.
1. The date of issue is likely to be no later than 1948, since the Imam named in the central inscription was assassinated on 17th February of that year.
2. The example of C3 illustrated above shows an unidentified purple cachet which may be a cancel or an overprint. If it is the latter, I assume it also exists without.
3. The 5b also exists as a Waterlow printer's sample in orange-brown (see illustration above right).
4. The 5b and 10b are also known (in issued colours) with Royalist overprints, as shown below. These are postage stamps and are listed by Gibbons as SG R58b and R38/a.
Postage stamp provisionals (SG R58b and R38/a)
C6/7
c1970. Coat of Arms. 22½ x 40 mm. Inscribed (in Arabic) Yemen Arab Republic at top and Consular Affairs Fee Stamp at foot. Perf 13½. No watermark.
C6. 1r red-brown and blue-black
C7. 3r black and red-brown
1972-83 (based on printer's proofs). Similar to previous issue but smaller format (13½ x 22 mm) and design incorporating leaves below arms. No watermark. Printed by De La Rue.
C6. 1r red-brown and blue-black
C7. 3r black and red-brown
1972-83 (based on printer's proofs). Similar to previous issue but smaller format (13½ x 22 mm) and design incorporating leaves below arms. No watermark. Printed by De La Rue.
C11/14
a) White background behind Arms and leaves, perf 13 x 13½ (1972)
C11. 1r claret and yellow-olive
C12. 3r claret and bright green
C13. 5r claret and reddish purple
C14. 10r claret and greenish slate
Note: proofs of the 1r and 3r exist on De La Rue approval cards (ref 573/6 and 12) dated 15 June 1972. It is assumed that the stamps were issued later the same year.
C11. 1r claret and yellow-olive
C12. 3r claret and bright green
C13. 5r claret and reddish purple
C14. 10r claret and greenish slate
Note: proofs of the 1r and 3r exist on De La Rue approval cards (ref 573/6 and 12) dated 15 June 1972. It is assumed that the stamps were issued later the same year.
C20/22a
b) Background of Arabic script behind Arms and leaves, perf 12½ x 12 (1983)
C20. 1r claret and olive
C21. 5r claret and reddish purple
C22. 10r claret and greenish slate
a. Perf 13½ x 13 (1990)
Notes:
1. Proofs of all three values exist on a De La Rue approval card (ref 337/6, 12 and 18) dated 14 April 1983. It is assumed that the stamps were issued later the same year.
2. C22a is slightly narrower than C20/22. September 1990 is the earliest recorded usage.
C20. 1r claret and olive
C21. 5r claret and reddish purple
C22. 10r claret and greenish slate
a. Perf 13½ x 13 (1990)
Notes:
1. Proofs of all three values exist on a De La Rue approval card (ref 337/6, 12 and 18) dated 14 April 1983. It is assumed that the stamps were issued later the same year.
2. C22a is slightly narrower than C20/22. September 1990 is the earliest recorded usage.
C31
c1990. Issue for United Yemen. Revenue stamp of Yemen Arab Republic (perf 12) overprinted Consular Stamp in Arabic, with bars cancelling Revenue and Arab in the country name.
C31. 10r deep green and slate-blue
C31. 10r deep green and slate-blue
C41/42
2012 (earliest recorded example). Self-adhesive issue with machine-cut rouletting. Inscribed Yemen Republic in Arabic at top right, and Consular Finance Fee above Arms. S-shaped security puncture across design to prevent re-use.
C41. 50r blue, black and red
C42. 100r green, black and red
C41. 50r blue, black and red
C42. 100r green, black and red
Defence
D1/2
c1956. Soldier with flag of the Kingdom of Yemen. 26 x 37½ mm. Inscribed Royaume Al Moutawakkiliyyah du Yemen / Défense in French plus equivalent in Arabic. Printed (photo) by the Italian Government Printing Works, Rome. Perf 14. Wmk winged wheel.
D1. 5b slate-black
D2. 2½a sepia
D1. 5b slate-black
D2. 2½a sepia
Judicial
J1/7 (no better image currently available)
1972. Koran, scales of justice and Yemeni arms. Inscribed (in Arabic) Yemen Arab Republic at top and Judicial Fee Stamp at foot, with The Noble Koran across the pages of the book. Printed by De La Rue. Arms, book and inscriptions in green; background colours given.
J6
J1. 2b salmon
J2. 4b deep violet
J3. 5b olive
J4. ¼r violet
J5. ½r blue
J6. 1r reddish lilac
J7. 10r brownish rose
Note: a proof of the 10r exists on a De La Rue approval card (ref 537/30) dated 12/5/72. It is assumed that the whole set was issued later that year.
J2. 4b deep violet
J3. 5b olive
J4. ¼r violet
J5. ½r blue
J6. 1r reddish lilac
J7. 10r brownish rose
Note: a proof of the 10r exists on a De La Rue approval card (ref 537/30) dated 12/5/72. It is assumed that the whole set was issued later that year.
Passport
P1/2
c1956. Flag of the Kingdom of Yemen. 37 x 28 mm. Inscribed Royaume Al Moutawakkiliyyah du Yemen / Passeports in French plus equivalent in Arabic. Printed (photo) by the Italian Government Printing Works, Rome. Perf 14. Wmk winged wheel.
P1. 5b deep brown
P2. 1a grey-black
P1. 5b deep brown
P2. 1a grey-black
Revenue
R1/4
1980 (earliest recorded usage). Geometric patterns. 18 x 22 mm (5b to 20b), 1r larger. Inscribed damgha (=revenue) at foot (20b) or in centre (others). Perf 11½ x 11. No watermark.
R1. 5b deep brown and olive-brown
R2. 10b bright blue and pale blue
R3. 20b bright green, grey-green and deep blue
R4. 1r black and grey-green
Notes:
1. These stamps were almost certainly printed by the Egyptian Postal Authority Press, since they are very similar in format and design to Egyptian revenues of the 1960s-70s.
2. Earliest recorded usage: 1980 (20b), 1982 (1r). It is possible that these stamps were issued later than R11/12a.
R1. 5b deep brown and olive-brown
R2. 10b bright blue and pale blue
R3. 20b bright green, grey-green and deep blue
R4. 1r black and grey-green
Notes:
1. These stamps were almost certainly printed by the Egyptian Postal Authority Press, since they are very similar in format and design to Egyptian revenues of the 1960s-70s.
2. Earliest recorded usage: 1980 (20b), 1982 (1r). It is possible that these stamps were issued later than R11/12a.
R8
?1970s. Arms of the Republic and geometric pattern. 22 x 27½ mm. Inscribed damgha yemenia (=Yemeni revenue) at foot. Perf 13½ x 14. No watermark.
R8. 20b red-orange
R8. 20b red-orange
R11/a and R12/a
R11b (perf 12)
1971. Arms of the Republic. 21½ x 26½ mm. Inscribed Yemen Arab Republic at top, with Revenue in Arabic and English below Arms. Perf 13½. No watermark. Printed by De La Rue.
R11. 5r pale blue and reddish purple
a. Perf 13 x 13½
b. Perf 12
R12. 10r deep green and slate-blue
a. Perf 13 x 13½
[b. Perf 12]
Notes:
1. Proofs of both values exist on De La Rue approval cards (ref 367/5 and 11) dated 2 August 1971. It is assumed that the stamps were issued later the same year. It is not known in what sequence the different perforations were issued.
2. I have not yet seen R12b without overprint, though I presume it exists since this stamp was overprinted as a Consular stamp for the United Republic of Yemen - see C31 above.
R11. 5r pale blue and reddish purple
a. Perf 13 x 13½
b. Perf 12
R12. 10r deep green and slate-blue
a. Perf 13 x 13½
[b. Perf 12]
Notes:
1. Proofs of both values exist on De La Rue approval cards (ref 367/5 and 11) dated 2 August 1971. It is assumed that the stamps were issued later the same year. It is not known in what sequence the different perforations were issued.
2. I have not yet seen R12b without overprint, though I presume it exists since this stamp was overprinted as a Consular stamp for the United Republic of Yemen - see C31 above.
R21, R24, R24a
c1980-83. Coat of Arms and leaves. 12½ x 20½ mm. Inscribed (in Arabic) Yemen Arab Republic at top and Revenue at foot. No watermark. Printed by De La Rue.
a) White background behind Arms and leaves, perf 14
R21. 50f green
b) Background of Arabic script behind Arms and leaves, lower panel as R21 but slightly redrawn, perf 13 x 13½
R24. 50f green
a. Perf 12
Note: a proof similar to R24/a but in olive-green exists on a De La Rue approval card (ref 337/24) dated 14 April 1983. It is assumed that the stamp was issued later the same year.
a) White background behind Arms and leaves, perf 14
R21. 50f green
b) Background of Arabic script behind Arms and leaves, lower panel as R21 but slightly redrawn, perf 13 x 13½
R24. 50f green
a. Perf 12
Note: a proof similar to R24/a but in olive-green exists on a De La Rue approval card (ref 337/24) dated 14 April 1983. It is assumed that the stamp was issued later the same year.
Sea Departure
T1/3
1971. Ship and and terminal. Inscribed Sea Departure Fee in Arabic and English. Printed by De La Rue.
T1. 2r ultramarine and orange
T2. 3r ultramarine and deep green
T3. 5r ultramarine and bright purple
T1. 2r ultramarine and orange
T2. 3r ultramarine and deep green
T3. 5r ultramarine and bright purple
Stamp Duty
S1
|
 Imperf stamps as S1 (status uncertain - see footnote) |
c1940s. Arms of the Kingdom of Yemen. 25 x 39 mm. Inscribed Stamp Duty in English and Arabic. Perf 13. No watermark.
S1. 5b carmine
Note: three values in this design are known as imperforate stamps on coloured paper (see illustration above right). It is not known whether these are proofs, issued stamps or bogus productions.
S1. 5b carmine
Note: three values in this design are known as imperforate stamps on coloured paper (see illustration above right). It is not known whether these are proofs, issued stamps or bogus productions.
S11/16
1975 (earliest recorded usage). Coat of Arms and fruit. Four different sizes: 16½ x 22½ mm (2b), 22 x 27 mm (5b), 22 x 31½ mm (10b and 20b), 22½ x 37 mm (1r and 3r). Inscribed tabi' maliy (=stamp duty). Perf 13½ (2b to 20b) or 13½ x 13 (others). No watermark. Printed by De La Rue.
S11. 2b violet, blue-green and bright green
S12. 5b green and black
S13. 10b bright blue and green
S14. 20b brown-orange and green
S15. 1r bluish lilac and black
S16. 3r purple and black
Notes:
1. A proof impression of the 5b value exists on an undated sheet perforated Specimen, which seems to be the work of De La Rue. No further printing details are currently known.
2. Earliest recorded usage: 1975 (3r).
c1980-90. Coat of Arms and leaves. 13 x 22 mm. Inscribed (in Arabic) Yemen Arab Republic at top and Stamp Duty at foot. No watermark.
S11. 2b violet, blue-green and bright green
S12. 5b green and black
S13. 10b bright blue and green
S14. 20b brown-orange and green
S15. 1r bluish lilac and black
S16. 3r purple and black
Notes:
1. A proof impression of the 5b value exists on an undated sheet perforated Specimen, which seems to be the work of De La Rue. No further printing details are currently known.
2. Earliest recorded usage: 1975 (3r).
c1980-90. Coat of Arms and leaves. 13 x 22 mm. Inscribed (in Arabic) Yemen Arab Republic at top and Stamp Duty at foot. No watermark.
S21 and S26
a) White background to central panel, perf 12½ x 12
S21. 1r blue
b) Background of Arabic script behind Arms and leaves, perf about 14 (earliest recorded usage 1998)
S26. 1r deep blue
S21. 1r blue
b) Background of Arabic script behind Arms and leaves, perf about 14 (earliest recorded usage 1998)
S26. 1r deep blue
1995 (earliest recorded usage). New issue for united Yemen. Similar to previous issue with Arabic script background, but top inscription now changed to Republic of Yemen. 13 x 22 mm. No watermark.
S31/34
a) Roulette 13
S31. 1r reddish purple
S32. 1r green
S33. 2r reddish purple
S34. 2r green
S31. 1r reddish purple
S32. 1r green
S33. 2r reddish purple
S34. 2r green
S41/44
b) Perf 12½ x 13
S41. 1r green
S42. 2r magenta
S43. 2r green
S44. 2r purple-brown
Notes:
1. S42/44 all seem to have been on sale simultaneously, which suggests that the different colours relate to purpose rather than successive issues. Further information would be welcomed.
2. Earliest recorded usage: 1995 (S31 and S33).
S41. 1r green
S42. 2r magenta
S43. 2r green
S44. 2r purple-brown
Notes:
1. S42/44 all seem to have been on sale simultaneously, which suggests that the different colours relate to purpose rather than successive issues. Further information would be welcomed.
2. Earliest recorded usage: 1995 (S31 and S33).
Appendix
The issues in this section are not revenue stamps but do not qualify for full listing elsewhere as postage stamps, so are noted here for the interest of collectors.
The issues in this section are not revenue stamps but do not qualify for full listing elsewhere as postage stamps, so are noted here for the interest of collectors.
X1/3
c1947. Imam Yahya's palaces. Inscribed Mutawakkalite Kingdom of Yemen in Arabic at top and Yemen in English at foot. Printed (recess) by Institut de Gravure, Paris. Perf 12½. No watermark.
X1. 10b carmine
X2. 20b purple-brown
X3. 1i black
Note: these three values are footnoted by Stanley Gibbons (after SG 58/64) as unissued postage stamps emanating from stocks looted from Government stores during the 1948 revolution.
Two die proofs are shown below: a master die in ultramarine for the 10b and 20b without figures of value, and of the 1i in black. In addition the set of 3 is known with a diagonal overprint FREE YEMEN FIGHTS FOR GOD, IMAM & COUNTRY in Arabic and English.
X1. 10b carmine
X2. 20b purple-brown
X3. 1i black
Note: these three values are footnoted by Stanley Gibbons (after SG 58/64) as unissued postage stamps emanating from stocks looted from Government stores during the 1948 revolution.
Two die proofs are shown below: a master die in ultramarine for the 10b and 20b without figures of value, and of the 1i in black. In addition the set of 3 is known with a diagonal overprint FREE YEMEN FIGHTS FOR GOD, IMAM & COUNTRY in Arabic and English.
Set of three overprinted 'Free Yemen Fights' etc
X4/8
c1956. Bab al-Yemen Gate, Sana'a. Inscribed Royaume Al Moutawakkiliyyah du Yemen / Timbre Gouvernemental in French plus equivalent in Arabic. Printed (photo) by the Italian Government Printing Works, Rome. Perf 14. Wmk winged wheel.
X4. 1b pale brown
X5. 5b turquoise-blue
X6. 10b blue
X7. 20b rose-red
X8. 1a magenta
Note: the 1b, 5b and 10b values of this set are listed by Stanley Gibbons (SG 105a/c) as 'unissued official stamps issued for ordinary postal use without surcharge'. The status of the top two values is unknown.
X4. 1b pale brown
X5. 5b turquoise-blue
X6. 10b blue
X7. 20b rose-red
X8. 1a magenta
Note: the 1b, 5b and 10b values of this set are listed by Stanley Gibbons (SG 105a/c) as 'unissued official stamps issued for ordinary postal use without surcharge'. The status of the top two values is unknown.