Additions and corrections for March 2001

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 --
ANGOLA

-- B --
BRUNEI
BULGARIA

-- C --
CAMBODIA
CAYMAN ISLANDS
CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
COMORO ISLANDS
CUBA

-- D --
DOMINICA

-- E --
ECUADOR

-- F --

-- G --
GRENADINES OF GRENADA
GUINEA

-- H --

-- I --

-- J --
JAPAN

-- K --
KOREA, SOUTH
KYRGYZSTAN

-- L --
LAOS
LIBERIA

-- M --
MALDIVES
MARSHALL ISLANDS
MAURITANIA
MEXICO
MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

-- N --
NEVIS
NEW ZEALAND
NICARAGUA

-- O --

-- P --
PALAU
PHILIPPINES

-- Q --

-- R --

-- S --
SIERRA LEONE
SOLOMON ISLANDS
ST. KITTS

-- T --
TANZANIA
THAILAND

-- U --
UNITED NATIONS (GENEVA)
URUGUAY

-- V --

-- W --

-- X --

-- Y --

-- Z --
ZAMBIA


ANGOLA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
3.5kz 17 Jan 00 Three Species of Turtles Sheet of six se-tenant stamps, each w/ a different photograph of a turtle. Fleur-de-lis on each stamp. Sheet inscribed "Mundo Dos Animais". Date from FDC.
3.5kz 17 Jan 00 Terrapene carolina (male) Close-up of head. Fleur-de-lis in corner. From sheet of six. Date from FDC.
3.5kz 17 Jan 00 Terrapene carolina (male) Anterior view w/ head bent to viewer's right. Fleur-de-lis in corner. From sheet of six. Date from FDC.
3.5kz 17 Jan 00 Terrapene carolina (male) Body angled to viewer's left, head facing camera. Fleur-de-lis in corner. From sheet of six. Date from FDC.
3.5kz 17 Jan 00 Chrysemys picta In grass, facing right. Posterior edge of carapace does not fit on stamp. Fleur-de-lis in corner. From sheet of six. Date from FDC.
3.5kz 17 Jan 00 Chrysemys picta On grass, facing right. Entire animal fits on stamp. Fleur-de-lis in corner. From sheet of six. Date from FDC.
3.5kz 17 Jan 00 Lepidochelys olivacea Extreme close-up of head. Fleur-de-lis in corner. From sheet of six. Date from FDC.


BRUNEI


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 563 30s 16 Nov 00 3 Species of Sea Turtles Strip of three 30s stamps. One turtle on each stamp.
SC 563 a 30s 16 Nov 00 Chelonia mydas Single stamp from strip of three. Small picture of Sultan in upper right corner.
SC 563 b 30s 16 Nov 00 Eretmochelys imbricata Single stamp from strip of three. Small picture of Sultan in upper right corner.
SC 563 c 30s 16 Nov 00 Lepidochelys olivacea Single stamp from strip of three. Small picture of Sultan in upper right corner.


BULGARIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
18s 1999? See Description Column Postal stationery (light blue envelope) w/ one unidentified tortoise & one unidentified freshwater turtle in cachet. Imprinted stamp shows a hot air balloon & a post horn, but no turtle. An envelope w/ a cancelled stamp has a date of 08.10.1999 on the cancellation mark. It is unknown whether this is a FDC or not.


CAMBODIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1765 200r 08 Nov 98 Platysternon megacephalum Climbing over a tree branch.
SC 1766 500r 08 Nov 98 Chelonia mydas Adult on beach.
SC 1767 900r 08 Nov 98 Trionyx spinifera On land, facing left.
SC 1768 1000r 08 Nov 98 Eretmochelys imbricata Ventral view of swimming adult.
SC 1769 1500r 08 Nov 98 Geochelone gigantea Anterior half of animal. Facing left. Turtle is identified on the stamp as "Megalochelys gigantea".
SC 1770 4000r 08 Nov 98 Dermochelys coriacea Adult on beach.
SC 1771 5400r 08 Nov 98 Chelus fimbriatus s/s w/ young individual on land. Additional illustrations in selvedge, showing method of capturing fish by "inhaling" them.
YV 1695 200r 2000 Cuora amboinensis Photo of turtle plus turtle figurine. For Bangkok 2000.
YV 1696 500r 2000 Cuora flavomarginata Photo of turtle plus turtle figurine. For Bangkok 2000.
YV 1697 900r 2000 Geoemyda spengleri Photo of turtle plus turtle figurine. For Bangkok 2000.
YV 1698 1000r 2000 Manouria impressa Photo of turtle plus turtle figurine. For Bangkok 2000.
YV 1699 1500r 2000 Chinemys reevesii Photo of turtle plus turtle figurine. For Bangkok 2000.
YV 1700 4000r 2000 Heosemys spinosa Photo of turtle plus turtle figurine. For Bangkok 2000.
YV BF 162 4500r 2000 Hieremys annandalei S/S w/ photo of turtle on stamp and pagoda-like structure plus turtle figurine in selvedge. For Bangkok 2000.


CAYMAN ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 802 10c 25 Aug 00 Chelonia mydas Silhouette of turtle swimming to right. From four-value Wildlife Heritage Issue.


CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
60 1999 Unidentified Plastron Postal card w/ stamp printed directly on it. Both stamp & cachet depict ancient bone fragment and plastron used for divination. Bone fragment and plastron inscribed w/ Chinese characters.


COMORO ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 11 Dec 00 Eretmochelys imbricata? Sheet of nine stamps w/ turtle in selvedge as well as on one stamp. Sheet inscribed "Ocean Life".
b 150fc 11 Dec 00 Eretmochelys imbricata? Close-up, head-on view of turtle's head. From sheet of nine.


CUBA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 4110 10c 27 Sep 00 Eretmochelys imbricata From "Marine Life" set. Issued for World Tourism Day.


DOMINICA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$6 18 Dec 00 Eretmochelys imbricata S/S of one stamp inscribed "Caribbean Wonderland" and "Animals of the Caribbean and Central America". One of two $6 s/s's issued this date.
$6 2001? Sea Turtle Hatchling M/S inscribed "Diving in the Caribbean". Text on right-hand side. Issued for Hong Kong 2001 World Stamp Exhibition.
$1.65 2000 Cartoon "Squirtle" Sheetlet of six $1.65 denoms w/ Pokemon cartoon of "Squirtle" on one. Sheet inscribed "Seasons Greetings 2001".
$1.65 2000 Cartoon "Squirtle" Single stamp w/ "Squirtle" from sheet of six.


ECUADOR


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC C 719 50s 12 Feb 81 Geochelone elephantopus The writing across the bottom of the stamp is normally yellow but a variation exists where the same writing is printed in bright red.


GRENADINES OF GRENADA

(NOTE: See also, GRENADA)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$6.00 June 2000 Lepidochelys kempii Selvedge of sheet inscribed "Fantasy Island", "Animals of the Caribbean and Central America", and "The Stamp Show 2000". Stamp inscribed "Grenada/Carriacou & Petite Martinique". One of two $6 s/s issued at the same time. Turtle on one s/s only.


GUINEA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
1000f 2000? Eretmochelys imbricata Marine Life sheetlet of six 1000f denoms w/ turtle in upper left position. Turtle on one stamp only.
1000f 2000? Eretmochelys imbricata Single stamp w/ turtle from sheetlet of six.


JAPAN

See End Note #11 for information about Japanese postal cards w/ turtles.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
60y 1991? Stylized Freshwater Turt. Inland letter sheet w/ imprinted 60y stamp. Stylized turtle in pastel colors in lower right corner has a flower in its mouth and stylized filamentous algae flowing from the rear of its carapace. Cancellation date on one such sheet is "9.6.20". It is unknown by the compiler of this list how this date relates to the Gregorian calendar.


KOREA, SOUTH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
170w 16 Nov 00 Tortoiseshell Comb Four se-tenant 170w stamps all depicting Ornaments worn by women. One stamp shows a tortoiseshell comb w/ inlaid design of gold and jade.
170w 16 Nov 00 Tortoiseshell Comb Single stamp w/ tortoiseshell comb from se-tenant group of four.
130 won 25 Sep 95 Song About a Turtle Booklet containing six Scott South Korea #1817.
170w 2000 Tortoise Ship Large tortoise ship in foreground w/ admiral's portrait in background. No white selvedge; picture extends through perforations.
SC 1817 130 won 25 Sep 95 Song About a Turtle Represents a legendary song inserted into the mythological story of the advent of King Kimsuro, founder of the Karak Kingdom. Commemorates the Kuji-ga Song (The Turtle's Back), which was first sung about 42 AD while praying to Kimsuro. It later took on the role of a work song.
SC 1817 a 130 won 25 Sep 95 Song About a Turtle S/S containing two Scott South Korea #1817. Upper selvedge inscribed "Literature Series (1st)".


KYRGYZSTAN


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
20c 2000? C. mydas & E. imbricata? Sheet of nine se-tenant stamps, all w/ underwater scenes but not making an overall unified picture. Prominent sea turtles on two of the nine stamps.
20c 2000? Chelonia mydas? Semi-dorsal view swimming left. In "b" position oin sheet.


LAOS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
3200k 01 Jun 00 Childs Drawing Child's drawing of many animals in and near a river. Turtle on land in lower rt. corner of stamp. Linn's Stamp News incorrectly listed denom. as 2300k.


LIBERIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$15 05 Sep 00 "Box Turtle" Pane 2, of three panes of eight se-tenant stamps each, issued this date. Reportedly represent "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame, but the animals depicted seem too specific and a few are North American. An error is suspected. Other animals on this pane: toper, least chipmunk, European dormouse, European praying mantis, wasp, monarch butterfly, and red fox.


MALDIVES


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2483 5rf 15 Nov 00 Chelonia mydas Pane 1 of three different panes of eight se-tenant stamps each, issued this date. Indian Ocean Marine Life.
SC 2483 c 5rf 15 Nov 00 Chelonia mydas Single stamp w/ turtle from Maldives Scott #2483. Indian Ocean Marine Life.


MARSHALL ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 751 33c 24 Aug 00 Chelonia mydas Sheet of eight se-tenant 33c stamps. Inscribed "Reef Life".
SC 751 a 33c 24 Aug 00 Chelonia mydas Single stamp w/ turtle from Scott Marshall Islands #761.


MAURITANIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
50um 2000 Chelonia mydas Strip of three w/ coelacanth, octopus, and turtle. Identical to stamp on s/s except that this stamp has a white border.
50um 2000 Chelonia mydas Single stamp with turtle from Marine Fauna strip of three. Identical to stamp on s/s except that this stamp has a white border.
50um 2000 Chelonia mydas "Collector's Souvenir Sheet" issued in conjunction w/ Marine Fauna strip of 3. Upper selvedge depicts manatee, crab and lobster-like crustacean. Identical to stamp from strip of three except that this stamp has a blue border.
50um 2000 Chelonia mydas Single stamps w/ turtle from s/s. Identical to stamp from strip of three except that this stamp has a blue border.


MEXICO


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC C 188 20c 22 Sep 50 Turtle Shell Instrument Two people playing "Ayotls", musical instruments made from turtle shells. The instruments are identified as Ayotls in the Michel catalog, but they are not recognizable as turtle shells from the image on the stamp.


MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
33c 2000? Geochelone elephantopus "One Earth" sheetlet of six 33c denoms. Tortoise on one stamp only.
33c 2000? Geochelone elephantopus Single stamp w/ tortoise from sheetlet of six. Front view of tortoise.


NEVIS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$1.60 Aug 2000 Box Turtle One of two panes of six se-tenant $1.60 stamps issued on the same date. Turtle on one pane only. Pane inscribed "Garden of Eden". Turtle in "f" position.
$1.60 Aug 2000 Box Turtle Single stamp w/ turtle from pane of six. Large turtle on land facing left. Stamp inscribed "Box Turtle" but picture looks more like a wood turtle.


NEW ZEALAND


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
40c 01 Feb 01 Chelonia mydas From Marine Reptiles issue w/ two snakes and four turtles. Issued for Year of the Snake.
80c 01 Feb 01 Dermochelys coriacea From Marine Reptiles issue w/ two snakes and four turtles. Issued for Year of the Snake.
90c 01 Feb 01 Caretta caretta From Marine Reptiles issue w/ two snakes and four turtles. Issued for Year of the Snake.
$1.30 01 Feb 01 Eretmochelys imbricata From Marine Reptiles issue w/ two snakes and four turtles. Issued for Year of the Snake.


NICARAGUA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2337 7.50cor 22 Aug 00 Eretmochelys imbricata Pane 2 of two panes of six se-tenant 7.50 cor stamps each, issued this date. Sea turtles on two stamps of this pane only. Pane inscribed "Emision Vida Marina".
SC 2337 a 7.50cor 22 Aug 00 Eretmochelys imbricata From Scott Nicaragua 2337. Inscribed "Tortuga Pico de Halcon".
SC 2337 d 7.50cor 22 Aug 00 Eretmochelys imbricata From Scott Nicaragua 2337. Inscribed "Tortuga de Carey".
SC C 799 1cor 16 Sep 72 Pottery Figurine This MAY be a turtle. It appears very similar to Kawa Bowls which are carved bowls from Samoa which represent turtles. Compare to turtle figurine on Cambodia YV #1699.


PALAU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
33c 01 Nov 00 Stylized Sea Turtle S/S w/ nine 33c stamps, issued for Pacific Arts Festival 2000. Turtle on one stamp only.
33c 01 Nov 00 Stylized Sea Turtle Single stamp w/ turtle from s/s of nine. Painting titled "Storyboard Art" by D. Inabo. Large turtle w/ two storytellers in background.
33c 01 Nov 00 Turtle Shell Bracelet Klilt (turtle shell bracelet) on exhibit in Belau National Museum.
33c 01 Nov 01 Turtle Shell Money Turtle shell money for use by women on exhibit at Belau National Museum.
SC 584 33c 16 Oct 00 Submarine Named Turtle Sheet of 17 stamps plus one label w/ submarine named "The Turtle" on one stamp.
SC 584 f 33c 16 Oct 00 Submarine Named Turtle The Turtle, a wooden submarine built by David Bushnell in 1776. Single stamp w/ submarine from Scott Palau 584.


PHILIPPINES


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
11p 03 Feb 01 Eretmochelys imbricata S/S w/ one stamp. Anterior half of turtle is on stamp and posterior half is in margin of sheet. Sheet margin inscribed "Hong Kong 2001 Stamp Exhibition" and showing Exhibition logo.


SIERRA LEONE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
600le 15 Jan 01 Peusios subniger On land, facing right. Inscribed "Pan Hinged Terrapin".
1200le 15 Jan 01 Pelomedusa subrufra Sheetlet of six 1200le denoms w/ turtle on one. Sheet inscribed "Reptiles of Africa". Background of sheet is a large map of Africa.
1200le 15 Jan 01 Pelomedusa subrufra Single stamp w/ turtle from sheetlet of six. Stamp inscribed "Helmet Turtle".
SC 888 100le 17 Aug 87 Stylized Turtle Stylized animal's head in painting by Marc Chagall that MAY be a turtle. Some people feel that this is definitely a turtle and others feel that it is definitely not.
SC 2001 400le 23 Jun 97 Unident. Freshwater Turt. Sheet of six se-tenant 400le stamps, each featuring a painting by Hiroshige. Turtle on one stamp only. Date from MI catalog.
SC 2001 b 400le 23 Jun 97 Unident. Freshwater Turt. Single stamp w/ prominent turtle from Scott Sierra Leone #2001. Painting titled "Mannen Bridge". Date from MI catalog.


SOLOMON ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 894 6.00 $ 22 May 00 Unidentified Sea Turtles S/S w/ one stamp. Shows seven young people looking over the edge of the world at the Solomon Islands. Inscribed "CYMM 2000 Honiaria Solomon Islands. Turtles are barely visible on Solomon Islands Coat-of-Arms, in margin of sheet. No turtle on stamp.


ST. KITTS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$1.60 12 Mar 01 Dermochelys coriacea One of five panes of six $1.60 stamps each, issued this date. All depict flora and fauna of the Caribbean. Turtle on one stamp only.
$1.60 12 Mar 01 Dermochelys coriacea Single stamp w/ turtle from pane of six.


TANZANIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various Unidentified Emydid Vertical strip of four different stamp, all depicting American alligators. Turtle on alligator's back on one stamp only.
50/ Unidentified Emydid Single stamp from strip of four w/ turtle on alligator's back.
SC 2013 400/ 15 Nov 99 Kinosternon flavescens One of four panes of six se-tenant 400/ stamps issued this date. Three turtles on one of the stamps. They do not look like Kinosternon at all; more like Trachemys or Pseudemys.
SC 2013 e 400/ 15 Nov 99 Kinosternon flavescens Single stamp w/ turtles from Scott Tanzania 2013. Three turtles on one stamp. They do not look like Kinosternon at all; more like Trachemys or Pseudemys.


THAILAND


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
3b 15 Mar 01 Unknown Sea Turtle From set of six 3b stamps issued this date. Other animals in set are ray, fish and jellyfish.


UNITED NATIONS (GENEVA)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
0.90fs 01 Feb 01 Geochelone elephantopus Se-tenant block of four (all endangered species) w/ two tortoises on one. From the 9th set of stamps in the UN's Endangered Species Series.
0.90fs 01 Feb 01 Geochelone elephantopus Single stamp w/ tortoises from se-tenant block of four.


URUGUAY


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$11 15 Feb 01 See Comment Column Se-tenant block of four depicting two frogs and two turtles. One Acanththochelys (=Platemys) spixii and one Phrynops hillarii.
$11 15 Feb 01 Acanthochelys spixii One individual facing left. Scientific name is Platemys spixii according to some authorities. Iverson assigned this species to Acanthochelys in 1986, but this has not been universally accepted.
$11 15 Feb 01 Phrynops hillarii One individual facing right. From "Turtles & Frogs" block of four.


ZAMBIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 10 Nov 00 Unidentified Tortoises Sheet of three identical strips of three different stamps each. One stamp in each strip depicts three tortoises and several humans. Sheet inscribed "African Legends of Creation". Turtle stamp represents the legend "Why the Stones Do Not Die".
1400k 10 Nov 00 Unidentified Tortoises Single stamp from sheet of nine w/ drawings of one large and two small tortoises, plus several humans. Identical to stamp from set of three, except that stamp from set of three may have wide, brown selvedge. Represents an African legend: "Why the Stones Do Not Die".


http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/ Last updated:   Mar 5, 2001