Additions and corrections for September 2004

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 --

-- B --
BAHAMAS

-- C --
CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
COSTA RICA

-- D --

-- E --
ERITREA

-- F --

-- G --

-- H --

-- I --
INDONESIA

-- J --
JAMAICA

-- K --
KOREA, NORTH
KYRGYZSTAN

-- L --
LIBERIA
LITHUANIA

-- M --
MALTA

-- N --

-- O --

-- P --
PALAU

-- Q --

-- R --
RUSSIA

-- S --
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SOMALIA

-- T --
TADJIKISTAN
THAILAND
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

-- U --

-- V --
VANUATU

-- W --

-- X --

-- Y --

-- Z --


BAHAMAS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1093 80c 24 Nov 03 Unidentified Sea Turtle Painting by Alton Lowe entitled "Annual Visit", shows a turtle on a beach. Inscribed "Waters of Life". Date also reported as 1 Dec 03.


CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 3326 60f 13 Dec 03 Small, Crude Turtle Square plate w/ turtle and fish patterns. Turtle is very small and difficult to discern, even w/ magnification. From set depicting bronze wares of Eastern Zhou Dynasty. Chinese postal authorities confirm the presence of a turtle on this plate.


CHRISTMAS ISLAND


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 13 Jul 04 Chelonia mydas Pane of twenty se-tenant stamps depicting marine life. Inscribed "Christmas Island Underwater". Pane contains 10c, 25c, and 50c stamps.
10c 13 Jul 04 Chelonia mydas Single stamp w/ turtles from sheet of twenty issued this date.


COSTA RICA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 568 Various 03 Sep 03 Cartoon Turtle S/S of eleven stamps depicting scenes from the story "Cocori". All stamps have braille markings. One stamp is very large and has a denom of 225 col. The other ten stamps are normal size and have denoms of 25 col.
SC 568 a 25 col 03 Sep 03 Cartoon Turtle Boy, turtle, monkey and bird. Stamp has braille markings.
SC 568 f 25 col 03 Sep 03 Cartoon Turtle Jaguar, turtle, armadillo, monkey, raccoon, bird, boy and father. Stamp has braille markings.
SC 568 g 25 Col 03 Sep 03 Cartoon Turtle Boy and monkey pushing turtle. Stamp has braille markings.
SC 568 h 25 col 03 Sep 03 Cartoon Turtle Monkey w/ open arms, turtle and boy. Stamp has braille markings.


ERITREA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2001 Four Chelonian Species Pane of four se-tenant stamps w/ a different chelonian on each. Rotary emblem on each stamp. Declared "illegal" by Eritrian postal officials (Scott Stamp Monthly, Oct 2004, pg.86)
1 2001 Testudo graeca Adult on land, facing right. Rotary emblem in lower right. From sheet of four. Declared "illegal" by Eritrian postal officials (Scott Stamp Monthly, Oct 2004, pg.86).
2 2001 Trachemys scripta elegans Adult on land facing slightly left. Rotary emblem in upper left. From sheet of four. Declared "illegal" by Eritrian postal officials (Scott Stamp Monthly, Oct 2004, pg.86).
3 2001 Clemmys insculpta On land, facing right. Rotary emblem in upper right. From sheet of four. Declared "illegal" by Eritrian postal officials (Scott Stamp Monthly, Oct 2004, pg.86).
5 2001 Geochelone elephantopus Adult on land facing slightly left. Rotary emblem in upper right. From sheet of four. Declared "illegal" by Eritrian postal officials (Scott Stamp Monthly, Oct 2004, pg.86).


INDONESIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
1,500rp 05 Jun 04 Unidentified Sea Turtle Se-tenant pair of 1,500rp stamps w/ turtle and shark on one. "Environmental Care" issue.
1,500rp 05 Jun 04 Unidentified Sea TUrtle Single stamp w/ turtle from se-tenant pair. "Environmental Care" issue.
2,500rp 05 Jun 04 Unidentified Sea Turtle S/S w/ two 2,500rp stamps. Same designs as se-tenant stamps issued this date but w/ diff. denom. "Environmental Care" issue.
2,500rp 05 Jun 04 Unidentified Sea Turtle Single stamp w/ turtle from s/s issued this date. "Environmental Care" issue.


JAMAICA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 05 Jun 04 Eretmochelys imbricata Pane of eight se-tenant stamps w/ turtle on one. Turtle stamp inscribed "Hawksbill Turtle" but it is probably Chelonia mydas. Issued for World Environment Day. Contains four $10 stamps and four $40 stamps.
$10 05 Jun 04 Eretmochelys imbricata Single stamp w/ turtle from sheet of eight issued this date. Inscribed "Hawksbill Turtle" but it is probably Chelonia mydas. Inscribed "World Environment Day 2004".


KOREA, NORTH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 421 10ch 30 Jul 62 Carved Stone Turtle Turtle is an antique paperweight. Formerly listed here as YV 418.
SC 1298 40j 20 Mar 75 Mythological Turtle Tortoise-serpent and snake from 7th century painting on wall of the large tomb in Kangso. Represents a dragon w/ a turtle's shell. Formerly listed here as MI 1347.
SC 1869 a Various 09 Oct 79 Stylized Tortoise Tortoise in right border of s/s of six stamps, all depicting birds. Commemorates the Central Zoo in Taesongsan. Formerly listed here (incorrectly) as SG N 1884-9.
SC 1936 40 30 Apr 80 Unidentified Sea Turtle Small sea turtle near left margin, in front of diver's face. Inscribed "Jacques Costeau - The Conquerer of the Sea". Formerly listed here as MI 1988.
SC 1936 A Various 30 Apr 80 Unidentified Sea Turtle S/S w/ five stamps plus one label. Contains Scott North Korea #1936. Formerly listed here w/ no catalog number but w/ a comment that it was footnoted by SG.
SC 1965 10ch 01 Aug 80 Tortoise Ship Ship (facing right) is main design feature. Tortoise ships were 16th century ironclad warships of the Korean Navy. Formerly listed here as YV 1613.
SC 2257 10 25 Dec 82 Cartoon Turtle Turtle swimming w/ cylindrical object on back. Formerly listed here as MI 2316.
SC 2258 20 25 Dec 82 Cartoon Turtle Turtle swimming at surface w/ rabbit on its back. Formerly listed here as MI 2317.
SC 2259 30 25 Dec 82 Cartoon Turtle Turtle, rabbit, and other animals on land. One figure sitting in throne-like chair. Formerly listed here as MI 2318.
SC 2260 40 25 Dec 82 Cartoon Turtle Turtle swimming on back; rabbit jumping off onto land. Formerly listed here as MI 2319.


KYRGYZSTAN


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
25c 2004? Terrapene sp. Sheet w/ six 25c stamps and one very large, non-denominated label in the center. Box turtle is on central label w/ other plants and animals. Sheet is inscribed "American Forests".
25c 2004? Unident. Freshwater Turt. Sheet of six 25c stamps and one very large non-denominated label in the center. Turtle on lower right stamp (main subject) and in selvedge. Sheet is inscribed "Swamps of North America".


LIBERIA

Scott does not list any Liberian stamps issued after August 1999 because of the non-existence of a postal service in that country after that date.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2004? Four Species Mini sheet of four stamps, each w/ a different turtles photo. Scout emblem on each stamp. Turtles depicted are two tortoises and two freshwater emydids. Denoms are $0.75, $1.00, $1.25 and $1.50.
$0.75 2004? Kinyxis sp. Adult facing right. From sheet of four. Depicts scout emblem.
$1.00 2004? Unident Freshwater Emydid Adult on land facing right w/ tree frog on carapace. From sheet of four. Depicts scout emblem.
$1.25 2004? Pseudemys scripta ssp. Dorsal view of immature individual on land. Yellow and black; may be a xanthophyllic individual. From sheet of four. Depicts scout emblem.
$1.50 2004? Geochelone elegans Adult facing left. From sheet of our. Depicts scout emblem.


LITHUANIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
1Lt 2004 Emys orbicularis Sheet of twenty stamps and five labels. Stamps depict eagles and iguanas. Various animals on labels and in selvedge. Turtle is in selvedge. Commemorates the 85th anniversary of the Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum of Kaunas.


MALTA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1159 16c 21 Apr 04 Chelonia mydas Se-tenant sheet of sixteen 16c stamps depicting mammals and reptiles. Turtle on one stamp only.
SC 1159 p 16c 21 Apr 04 Chelonia mydas Single stamp w/ turtle from Scott Malta #1159. Adult swimming left.


PALAU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
37c 13 Apr 04 Turtle Shell Money Pane of ten 37c stamps issued for 9th Festival of Pacific Arts. Large map of Palau in center of pane. One stamp depicts "Toluk" which is a form of money made from turtle shell and used by women in Palau. One of two panes issued for the 9th Festival of Pacific Arts. The other pane consists of 26c stamps and has no turtle-related material.
37c 13 Apr 04 Turtle Shell Money Single stamp with turtle shell money (Toluk) from pane of ten issued for 9th Festival of Pacific Arts. Toluk is a form of money made from turtle shell and used by women in Palau.


RUSSIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
4r 05 Aug 04 Cartoon Turtle Pane of five se-tenant stamps plus one label. Many animal and human figures w/ turtle on one. Road Safety For Children issue.
4r 05 Aug 04 Cartoon Turtle Single stamp w/ turtle from pane of five issued this date. Depicts turtle being walked across a road on a leash. From "Road Safety for Children" issue.


SENEGAL


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
400F 2003 Chelonia mydas Main design feature is turtle nesting on beach. Also, hatchling emerging from egg in lower left corner and turtle swimming underwater in lower right corner. Inscribed "Faune Marine Du Senegal" and "Varietes Rares".


SEYCHELLES

See End Note #4 for further information about SEYCHELLES stamps.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
4re 01 Jul 04 Geochelone gigantea Revaluation of 4re o/p'd on Scott Seychelles #752.


SOMALIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
2500 sh 2004 VariousSpecies Mini sheet of six stamps, each w/ a different turtle photo. Lion's or Rotary Club emblem on each stamp. Turtles depicted are two sea turtles and four freshwater emydids.
2500 sh 2004 Unidentified Sea Turtle Photo of anterior portion of turtle turned slightly to right. From sheet of six. Depicts Rotary Club emblem.
2500 sh 2004 Unident Freshwater Emydid Adult on land, facing left. From sheet of six. Depicts Lion's Club emblem.
2500 sh 2004 Unidentified Sea Turtle Photo of anterior portion of turtle facing slightly to left. From sheet of six. Depicts Rotary Club emblem.
2500 sh 2004 Unident Freshwater Emydid Two adults on log. From sheet of six. Depicts Lion's Club emblem.
2500 sh 2004 Chrysemys picta Adult on log, facing camera. From sheet of six. Depicts Rotary Club emblem.
2500 sh 2004 Unident Freshwater Emydid Two adults on log. From sheet of six. Depicts Lion's Club emblem.


TADJIKISTAN

Tadjikistan is a former republic of the Soviet Union that gained its independence in 1991.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 28 Oct 03 Testudo horsfieldii Sheet of eight stamps identical to Scott Tadjikistan #228 except that this one is imperf and there are four small figures inscribed in the four corners of the selvedge: a bird, a beetle and two mammals. Inscribed "Nature of Middle Asia". Date also reported as November 2003.
SC 228 Various 28 Oct 03 Testudo horsfieldii Sheet of eight stamps, each depicting a different insect, mammal, bird, or tortoise. Inscribed "Nature of Middle Asia". Date also reported as November 2003.
SC 228 c 53d 28 Oct 03 Testudo horsfieldi Single stamp w/ tortoise from Scott Tadjikistan #228. Date also reported as November 2003.


THAILAND


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
3b 01 Mar 04 Cuora amboinensis Adult on land facing right. From die cut sheet; perf. 13.25.
3b 01 Mar 04 Platysternon megacephalum Adult on land facing left. From die cut sheet; perf. 13.25.
3b 01 Mar 04 Indotustudo elongata Adult on land facing right. From die cut sheet; perf. 13.25.
3b 01 Mar 04 Heosemys spinosa Immature individual on land facing left. From die cut sheet; perf. 13.25.
SC 2115 3b 01 Mar 04 Cuora amboinensis Adult on land facing right. Sheet single. Identical to stamp from Scott Thailand #2118a except perf. 14.5x14.
SC 2116 3b 01 Mar 04 Platysternon megacephalum Adult on land facing left. Sheet single. Identical to stamp from Scott Thailand #2118a except perf. 14.5x14.
SC 2117 3b 01 Mar 04 Indotestudo elongata Adult on land facing right. Sheet single. Identical to stamp from Scott #2118a except perf. 14.5x14.
SC 2118 3b 01 Mar 04 Heosemys spinosa Immature individual on land facing left. Sheet single. Identical to stamp from Scott Thailand #2118a except perf. 14.6.
SC 2118 a 3b 01 Mar 04 Four Species of Turtles S/S w/ four stamps, each w/ a different species of turtle, plus a large Heosemys spinosa in background of sheet. Sheet is die cut in the shape of a turtle. Stamps are perf. 13.25.


TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 688 $2.50 28 Oct 03 Eretmochelys imbricata Photo of adult taken almost directly from the front of the animal.


VANUATU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 834 80v 23 Jul 03 Carved Sea Turtle Thatching w/ leaves of Natanggura palm (Metroxxylon warburgii) plus small carved turtle in lower corner of stamp. Linn's Stamp News (21 July 2003, pg. 58) states that the turtle is woven but it is actually carved from the nut of the Natanggura palm.


http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/ Last updated:   Sep 5, 2004