Additions and corrections for March 2012

A World-Wide List of Turtles and Tortoises on Stamps

by Donald N. Riemer

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

-- A --: ASHMORE & CARTIER ISLANDS
-- B --: BAHAMAS
BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY
-- C --: CAYMAN ISLANDS
CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA, REPUBLIC OF (TAIWAN)
COMORO ISLANDS
CYPRUS
-- D --: DJIBOUTI
-- E --: ECUADOR
-- F --: FRANCE
FRENCH POLYNESIA
-- G --: GREECE
GUINEA
Grenada Carriacou & Petite Mart.
-- H --
-- I --
-- J --
-- K --: KOREA, SOUTH
-- L --: LIBERIA
-- M --: MARSHALL ISLANDS
MAYOTTE
-- N --
-- O --
-- P --: PENRHYN
PITCAIRN ISLANDS
-- Q --
-- R --
-- S --: SAN MARINO
SOMALIA
ST. THOMAS AND PRINCE ISLANDS
ST. VINCENT
-- T --: TANZANIA
TOGO
TUVA
-- U --: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
URUGUAY
-- V --
-- W --
-- X --
-- Y --
-- Z --

ASHMORE & CARTIER ISLANDS

The Territory of the Ashmore & Cartier Islands is an external territory of Australia consisting of two groups of low-lying islands in the Indian Ocean.

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

50c	2011	Meiolania	One individual facing three-quarters right.	Meiolania is an extinct genus of giant horned tortoises from the Oligocene and Holocene epochs.

50c	2011	Meiolania	Skeleton (w/ shell) facing three-quarters right.	Meiolania is an extinct genus of giant horned tortoises from the Oligocene and Holocene epochs.

BAHAMAS

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

30c	03 Jan 12	Eretmochelys imbricata	One individual swimming three-quarters left.	From set of sixteen marine life definitives.

BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

54p	06 Feb 12	E. imbricata & C. caretta	S/S of six stamps and three labels commemorating Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. Central label has large BIOT coat-of-arms which features two turtles as supporters.	No turtles on stamps. Turtles on central label only.

CAYMAN ISLANDS

Catalog #		Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

SC	1075	20c	31 Aug 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Men in a catboat catching a sea turtle.	From set of six stamps highlighting the cultural role of catboats in the Cayman Islands.

CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

80	Unknown	Chelonia mydas	Sheet of sixteen identical stamps w/ red design that looks like a decorative knot. A tab is attached to the right side of each stamp. One tab depicts Chelonia mydas. Each tab inscribed "novozymes".	In recent years PRC has issued many sheets w/ stamps depicting the same decorative red knot. They have different numbers of stamps in the sheet, different layouts, different marginal decorations and different tab designs. Not all have turtles. (See Linn's Stamp News, 26 Dec 2011, pg. 36 for further discussion of these sheets).

CHINA, REPUBLIC OF (TAIWAN)

Catalog #		Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

SC	4005	NT$12	21 Jul 11	Mythical Turtle	People and a horse crossing a river on the back of a giant white turtle.	From classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West".

COMORO ISLANDS

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

2500fc	2011	Three Species	S/S w/ one stamp depicting two Trachemys scripta elegans. Sheet border depicts additional Trachemys scripta plus one Platysternon megacephalum and one turtle identified as Pelomedusa subrufra but which is actually a Malaclemys terrapin.	Top margin of sheet inscribed "Les Tortues".

500fc	2011	Five Species	Sheet of five stamps, each w/ a different species of chelonian. Species are Graptemys nigrinoda, Geochelone sulcata, Macrochelys temminckii, Pelochelys cantorii and Eretmochelys imbricata.	Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Les Tortues" and "Faune, Flore, Mineraux, 2011".

500fc	2011	Graptemys nigrinoda	Semi-dorsal view of one individual in foreground, lateral views of two individuals in background.	From sheet of five.

500fc	2011	Geochelone sulcata	One individual facing right in foreground plus two individuals mating in background.	From sheet of five.

500fc	2011	Macrochelys temminckii	One individual facing viewer in foreground w/ mouth wide open. Dorsal view of another individual in background.	From sheet of five.

500fc	2011	Pelochelys cantorii	One individual facing viewer in foreground. Semi-dorsal views of four small individuals in background.	From sheet of five.

500fc	2011	Eretmochelys imbricata	One individual swimming left in foreground w/ front flippers in raised position. Dorsal view of another individual in background, swimming down and to right.	From sheet of five.

CYPRUS

Catalog #			Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

SC	1158		0.34eu	05 Oct 11	Cartoon Tortoise	Horizontal sheet of five self adhesive stamps that can be folded into a simple booklet. The sheet depicts three scenes from The Tortoise and The Hare fable. Tortoise on three of the five stamps.	Linn's Stamp News (24 Oct 2011, pages 31 & 49) erroneously reported four stamps on sheet.

SC	1158	b	0.34eu	05 Oct 11	Cartoon Tortoise	Tortoise, standing erect, pointing w/ right "hand".	From Scott Cyprus 1158.

SC	1158	c	0.34eu	05 Oct 11	Cartoon Tortoise	Hare sleeping against a tree in foreground, tortoise passing hare in background.	From Scott Cyprus 1158.

SC	1158	e	0.34eu	05 Oct 11	Cartoon Tortoise	Victorious tortoise crossing the finish line w/ winner's ribbon on plastron.	From Scott Cyprus 1158.

DJIBOUTI

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

Various	2011	Six Species	Sheetlet of six stamps, each depicting a different species of turtle.	Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Animals". Lower margin of sheet inscribed "Republique de Djibouti".

50f	2011	Lepidochelys olivacea	One hatchling facing left.

100f	2011	Graptemys geographica	One hatchling facing right on a green leaf.

200f	2011	Terrapene carolina	Semi-dorsal view of adult facing right.	The subspecies depicted is triunguis.

300f	2011	Pseudemys rubriventris	Large adult female facing three-quarters left w/ forelimbs retracted and head partially retracted.

400f	2011	Aldabrachelys gigantea	Pair mating, facing left.

500f	2011	Chelonoidis nigra?	One individual facing left.	I.D. uncertain. Carapace shows pyramiding typical of too much protein in diet.

ECUADOR

Catalog #			Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

SC	2021		Various	18 Mar 11	Two Species	Booklet pane of eight stamps plus two labels. Turtles on two of the stamps.	Each stamp inscribed "Galapagos" near bottom margin.

SC	2021	f	75c	18 Mar 11	Geochelone nigra	Anterior half of one individual facing left.	Stamp inscribed "Galapagos" near bottom margin.

SC	2021	g	$1.00	18 Mar 11	Chelonia mydas agassisi	One individual swimming right underwater.	Stamp inscribed "Galapagos" near bottom margin.

SC	2031		Various	20 Sep 11	Kinosternon scorpioides	Booklet pane of eight stamps w/ turtle on one. Each stamp depicts a reptile or an amphibian and is inscribed "Yasuni-itt" near bottom margin.	Turtle is misidentified on stamp as Chelonoides denticuata. The subspecies depicted is Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides.

SC	2031	a	0.25usd	20 Sep 11	Kinosternon scorpioides	Individual stamp w/ turtle from Scott Ecuador #2031. Turtle facing right w/ a jet black background. Stamp inscribed "Yasuni-itt" near bottom margin.	Turtle is misidentified on stamp as Chelonoides denticuata. The subspecies depicted is Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides.

FRANCE

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

**	30 Nov 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Booklet of twelve stamps entitled Annee des Outre-Mer" (Year of Overseas Territories) with each stamp representing one territory. Turtle on the stamp representing New Caledonia and on booklet cover.	** Stamps are non-denominated but are imprinted "lettre prioritaire 20g".

**	30 Nov 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Individual stamp w/ turtle from booklet of twelve issued this date. Depicts a hut, a boat, a turtle swimming near beach and other animals and objects.	** Stamp is non-denominated but is imprinted "lettre prioritaire 20g".

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Catalog #			Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

SC	1062		100f	27 Sep 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Booklet pane of twelve Marine Life stamps issued this date. One stamp shows anterior half of turtle swimming downward and left plus small fish and coral.	Stamps were issued in flat strips that can be folded into simple booklets.

SC	1062	i	100f	27 Sep 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Individual stamp w/ turtle from Scott French Polynesia #1062.

GREECE

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

0.20eu	21 Feb 12	Caretta caretta	One individual swimming almost directly toward viewer.	From set of ten entitled "Riches of the Greek Seas".

GUINEA

Catalog #			Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

MI		8610	10000fg	2011	Aldabrachelys gigantea	Triangular stamp w/ one tortoise facing three-quarters left.	When stamp is upright, base of triangle is down.

MI		8611	10000fg	2011	Astrochelys radiata	Triangular stamp w/ one tortoise facing right.	When stamp is upright, apex of triangle is down.

MI		8612		2011	Pelomedusa subrufra	Triangular stamp w/ one turtle facing right.	When stamp is upright, base of triangle is down.

MI		8613	10000fg	2011	Stigmochelys pardalis	Triangular stamp w/ one hatchling tortoise facing right.	When stamp is upright, apex of triangle is down.

MI		8614	10000fg	2011	Geochelone sulcata	Triangular stamp w/ one tortoise facing viewer w/ head and neck bent to viewer's left.	When stamp is upright, base of triangle is down.

MI		8615	2500fg	2011	Geochelone sulcata	Individual triangular stamp from Michel Guinea BL 1988.	Shows tortoise facing three-quarters right.

MI		8616	15000fg	2011	Geochelone sulcata	Individual triangular stamp from Michel Guinea BL 1988.	Shows tortoise facing three-quarters right.

MI		8617	5000fg	2011	Geochelone sulcata	Individual triangular stamp from Michel Guinea BL 1988.	Shows tortoise facing three-quarters right.

MI	BL	1988	Various	2011	Four Species	Mini sheet of three triangular stamps, each depicting a Geochelone sulcata but each w/ a different denom. Upper margin of sheet w/ a female Malaclemys terrapin, an unidentified tortoise and three tiny white silhouettes of swimming sea turtles.	Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Les Tortues" in small letters.

Grenada Carriacou & Petite Mart.

Complete name is Grenada Carriacou & Petite Martinique.

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

$9	2012?	Chelonoides carbonaria	S/S of one stamp. Tortoise on stamp facing left plus large head of tortoise in sheet margin, facing left.	Sheet inscribed "Reptiles of the Carribbean".

KOREA, SOUTH

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

1,700w	01 Oct 11	Clay Image on Ancient Jar	Ancient clay jar w/ image of a chelonian facing viewer on left side of jar near neck.	Many other figures on jar in addition to the chelonian. Date also reported as 10 Oct 2011.

LIBERIA

Scott stopped listing Liberian stamps issued after August 1999 because there was no postal service in that country due to the civil war. They resumed listing them in 2005.

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

$180	26 Dec 11	Two Psammobates Species	S/S w/ two se-tenant $180 stamps w/ a tortoise on each.	Tortoises depicted are Psammobates tentorius and P. oculifera (misspelled "oculifer" on stamp). Ventral view of each species in sheet margin.

$180	26 Dec 11	Psammobates tentorius	One individual facing left.	From s/s of two stamps issued this date.

$180	26 Dec 11	Psammobates oculifera	One individual facing right	From s/s of two stamps issued this date. Species name misspelled "oculifer" on stamp.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

Catalog #		Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

		45c	22 Jan 12	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Under- and above-water scene w/ whale, porpoises, turtle, fish and various invertebrates.	Small turtle is swimming to right near right margin of stamp.

SC	982	1c	22 Feb 11	Chelonia mydas	Adult on beach facing right.

SC	983	2c	22 Feb 11	Caretta caretta	Adult on beach facing three-quarters left.

SC	984	5c	22 Feb 11	Dermochelys coriacea	Adult on beach, facing right, re-entering water.

SC	985	$10	22 Feb 11	Eretmochelys imbricata	Adult on beach facing right and slightly away from viewer.	Head and neck elevated.

MAYOTTE

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

0.60eu	19 Sep 11	Unidentified Sea Turtles	Map of Mayotte w/ flags, plane, man, trees, fish, sea horse, turtles and other marine life.	Drawing appears to have been made by a child.

PENRHYN

Penrhyn is one of the Cook Islands.

Catalog #			Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

SC	499		$1.50	05 May 11	Eretmochelys imbricata	Individual stamp w/ turtle from Scott Penrhyn #501a.	Photograph of one turtle swimming right, underwater. Issue date has also been reported as 6 May 2011.

SC	501	a	Various	05 May 11	Eretmochelys imbricata	S/S of fifteen stamps arranged in a rectangle around margins of sheet. Turtle on one stamp only.	Center of sheet contains an aerial photograph of Penrhyn Atoll, the northernmost of the Cook Islands. Issue date has also been reported as 6 May 2011.

PITCAIRN ISLANDS

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

Various	21 Feb 12	Unidentified Sea Turtle	S/S of three stamps showing tapa cloth. Sheet margin shows woman making tapa cloth. One of the stamps shows a finished piece of tapa cloth w/ a sea turtle design.	Sheet margin inscribed "The Art of Pitcairn Part IV - TAPA"

$1.80	21 Feb 12	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Individual stamp / sea turtle design on tapa cloth from sheet of three.

SAN MARINO

Catalog #			Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

SC	1323		600	10 Feb 95	Two Freshwater Species	One turtle near water in thick vegetation. Second turtle near bottom margin of stamps, partly obliterated by the "600" denomination on #1323a. Both turtles span the line of perforations beteen #1323a and 1323b.	This is a strip of five stamps issued for European Year of Nature Conservation.

SC	1323	a	600	10 Feb 95	Two Freshwater Species	Anterior portion of one turtle in vegetation near right side of stamp. Posterior portion of another very small turtle in extreme lower right corner of stamp. This turtle is partly obliterated by the denomination of "600" printed on the stamp.	The images of both turtles are continued on Scott #1323b.

SC	1323	b	600	10 Feb 95	Two Freshwwater Species	Posterior end of carapace of one turtle, continued from San Marino #1323a. Head of a second, smaller turtle in lower left corner of stamp, also continued from San Marino #1323a.	Turtle head in lower left corner of stamp is blowing bubbles.

SOMALIA

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

Various	Unknown	Two Species	Cinderella sheetlet of two stamps depicting Eretmochelys imbricata and Rhinoclemmys funerea. Border of sheet depicts three blue flags w/ a white star in the center of each plus three coats-of-arms, plus a green bar bearing the word "turtles".	One of the stamps on this sheet is the only philatelic example of Rhinoclemmys funerea, the Black Wood Turtle.

100sh	Unknown	Eretmochelys imbricata	One individual swimming three-quarters left underwater.	From Cinderella sheetlet of two stamps.

200sh	Unknown	Rhinoclemmys funerea	One individual on land w/ head and neck stretched straight upward.	From Cinderella sheetlet of two stamps. This stamp is the only philatelic example of Rhinoclemmys funerea, the Black Wood Turtle.

ST. THOMAS AND PRINCE ISLANDS

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

110000db	2010	Aldabrachelys gigantea	S/S of one stamp which depicts Scott Zil Elwannyen Sesel Seychelles #108 which has the tortoise. Images of twelve additional stamps from twelve different countries in border of sheet.	Stamp images in border of sheet all depict mammals, birds, fish or insects and each one bears the WWF emblem. Upper left margin of sheet inscribed "Selos em Selos".

ST. VINCENT

Also called ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES. (See separate listing for GRENADINES OF ST. VINCENT).

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

$9	06 Oct 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	S/S w/ one stamp containing a picture of a sea turtle swimming left. Stamp is inscribed "Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas" but George Balazs says it is definitely not a C. mydas. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "TURTLES".	Linn's Stamp News dated 9 January 2012, page 37, reported the denomination of this stamp to be $6 but actually it is $9.

$3	06 Oct 11	Three Species	Sheetlet of three $3 stamps w/ a different turtle on each.	Head of an unidentified freshwater turtle plus waterlily flower and leaves in left margin of sheet. Right margin of sheet inscribed "Turtles".

$3	06 Oct 11	Deirochelys reticularia	One individual facing left.	From sheet w/ three turtle stamps and white water lily in margin.

$3	06 Oct 11	Malaclemys terrapin	One individual facing left.	From sheet w/ three turtle stamps and white water lily in margin.

$3	06 Oct 11	Trachemys scripta elegans	Anterior half of one individual facing left.	From sheet w/ three turtle stamps and white water lily in margin.

TANZANIA

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

Various	22 Apr 11	Unidentified Tortoise	Pane of eleven stamps depicting a tortoise, a red colobus monkey and various structures.	Pane inscribed "Wonders of Zanzibar". Tortoise on one stamp only.

400sh	04 Apr 11	Unidentified Tortoise	Tortoise facing viewer w/ head and neck turned to viewer's right.	From pane of eleven inscribed "Wonders of Zanzibar" OR from set of the same eleven stamps that appear on the pane.

600sh	2010	Aldabrachelys gigantea	Photo of giant tortoise facing camera. Head and neck are extended and laying on the substrate.	Upper left corner of stamp inscribed "Zanzibar Attractions". Inscription is in black on dark green background and is difficult to see.

600/	15 Aug 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	S/S of six stamps, each depicting a different sea creature. Each stamp and bottom margin of sheet inscribed "Tanzania Marine Parks".	Margins of sheet depict a dense school of fish. Turtle on one stamp only.

600/	15 Aug 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Individual stamp w/ turtle from s/s of six issued 15 Aug 2011. Anterior half of turtle swimming up and right.	Stamp inscribed "Tanzania Marine Parks" and "Kasa / Sea Turtle".

400/	15 Aug 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Turtle swimming up and left.	Inscribed "Tanzania Marine Parks" and "Kasa / Sea Turtle". From set of four marine creature stamps.

600sh	2010	Aldabrachelys gigantea	S/S of six 600sh stamps depicting tortoise, a monkey, buildings, people and a boat. Upper margin of sheet depicts a large building and the inscription "Zanzibar Attractions".	Tortoise on one stamp only. Tortoise has head and neck extended and laying on the substrate.

TOGO

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

750f	2011	Trionyx triunguis	S/S of four 750f stamps / birds on two, dugong on one and turtle on one.	Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Les ecosystemes d'Afrique" and "Les mangroves d'Afrique Centrale".

750f	2011	Trionyx triunguis	Turtle swimming directly toward viewer.	From s/s of four containing two birds, a dugong and a turtle.

3000f	2011	Two Sea Turtle Species	S/S of one 3000f stamp depicting birds. Bottom margin of sheet shows numerous adult sea turtles on beach including one Eretmochelys imbricata in foreground and a close-up of one Lepidochelys olivacea emerging from egg.	Upper sheet margin inscribed "Les ecosystemes d'Afrique". Bottom sheet margin inscribed "Les mangroves d'Afrique de l'Est".

3000f	2011	Eretmochelys imbricata	S/S of one 3000f stamp. Turtle on stamp swimming right. Flying birds in upper sheet margin, fish in bottom sheet margin.	Upper sheet margin inscribed "Les ecosystemes d'Afrique". Bottom sheet margin inscribed "Les mangroves de Madagascar".

3000f	2011	Trionyx triunguis	S/S of one 3000f stamp w/ semi-ventral view of turtle swimming toward viewer. Three dugongs in sheet margins.	Upper right corner of sheet margin inscribed "Les ecosystemes d'Afrique" and "Les mangroves d'Afrique Centrale". Turtle's head has extremely unrealist shape.

TUVA

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

None	2000	Unidentified Tortoise	Small Cinderella sheet w/ one stamp depicting a raccoon and two cactus plants. Sheet margin depicts many other cacti and numerous animals, not all of which are desert dwellers despite the fact that it is supposed to be a desert scene.	The anterior half of a chelonian appears along the right margin of the sheet but curiously, it appears more like a sea turtle than a tortoise.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

1d	30 Nov 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Pane of ten 1d stamps showing various animals.	Bu Tinah Island / Seven New Wonders of Nature Finalist.

1d	30 Nov 11	Unidentified Sea Turtle	Individual stamp w/ turtle from pane of ten issued this date.	Shows one individual swimming left.

15d	30 Nov 11	Eretmochelys imbricata	S/S of one stamp. Depicts large sea turtle swimming left plus various other animals.	Inscribed "Bu Tinah Island".

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Catalog #			Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

SC	3293		33c	06 Apr 99	Gopherus morafkai	Pane of ten self-adhesive stamps which, w/ the selvedge, form a continuous desert scene. Tortoise on one stamp only.	The tortoise on this pane was previously listed on this site as G. agassizii but the population of desert tortoises in the Sonoran Desert was recently referred to a new species: G. morafkai.

SC	3293	b	33c	06 Apr 99	Gopherus morafkai	Individual stamp w/ tortoise from Scott United States 3293.	The tortoise on this stamp was previously listed on this site as G. agassizii but the population of desert tortoises in the Sonoran Desert was recently referred to a new species: G. morafkai.

URUGUAY

Denom.	Date	Turtle	Description	Comment

None	Unknown	Turtle on Parade Float	Aerogramme inscribed "Museo del Carnaval" w/ scenes of revelers. Lower left corner shows a float in a parade with a very large figure of a turtle at the front.	Upper right corner has a small circle w/ an airplane in the center and the inscription "Aerograma Internacional - Port Paye" around the perimeter.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/

Last updated: Mar 6, 2012