Additions and corrections for December 2005

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 --
AUSTRALIA

-- B --
BENIN
BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY

-- C --

-- D --

-- E --

-- F --
FRANCE

-- G --
GRENADA
GUINEA-BISSAU

-- H --

-- I --

-- J --
JAPAN

-- K --

-- L --

-- M --
MALDIVES
MAURITANIA
MEXICO
MOLDOVA

-- N --

-- O --

-- P --

-- Q --

-- R --
ROMANIA

-- S --
SINGAPORE
SOUTH AFRICA

-- T --
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

-- U --

-- V --

-- W --
WALLIS AND FUTUNA

-- X --

-- Y --

-- Z --


AUSTRALIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
None 2003 Turtle Shell Mask Postal stationery. Prepaid stamped envelope for domestic use in Australia only. Black turtle shell mask. Inscribed "postage paid". Issued as part of "Torres Strait Island Art" postal stationery series. Mask is c. 1850-1855.
SC 1535 $10 10 Apr 97 Stylized Turtle Bird flying over swamp. Inscribed "Kakadu Wetlands". Very small, faint, aboriginal style turtle in right margin.
SC 1535 a $10 Stylized Turtle S/S w/ one stamp (#1535). Selvedge has one image overlaying a background image. The background image has a large, faint turtle on the right side. The turtle's head is in the upper right corner of the sheet and the turtle's tail is near the lower right corner of the sheet. Stamp is inscribed "Kakadu Wetlands". No inscription on margin of sheet. Turtle is aboriginal style drawing (dorsal view).
SC 1535 b $10 Stylized Turtle Australia Scott #1535a w/ the logo for the Pacific 97 World Philatelic Exhibition in San Francisco, CA o/p'd in silver in upper selvedge. Lower selvedge inscribed "Australia Post Exhibition Sheet No. 4". Aboriginal style drawing of turtle (dorsal view).
SC 1535 c $10 Stylized Turtle Australia Scott #1535a w/ the following o/p in upper selvedge in gold: "Esposizione Mondiale Di Filatelia - World Philatelic Exhibition - Milano, 23 October - 1 November 1998. Lower selvedge inscribed "Australia Post Exhibition Sheet No. 5. Aboriginal style drawing of turtle (dorsal view).
SC 1535 d $10 01 Aug 01 Stylized Turtle Australia Scott #1535a o/p'd in sheet margin "Phila Nippon '01" and the show emblem. Turtle is aboriginal style drawing (dorsal view).


BENIN


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
300f 2003 Emydura subglobosa? One individual facing left. Bright yellow and black head. Boy Scout emblem in upper left corner.
1000f 2004 Emydura subglobosa? M/S of one stamp. Owl w/ one outstretched wing on stamp, photo of turtle w/ bright yellow and black head in selvedge. Exists perf. and imperf.


BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
34p Nov 2005 Unidentified Sea Turtle S/S of eight 34p stamps which form a single under-water and above-water panorama. Sheet inscribed in lower margin: "1965 - 2005; 40th Anniversary; 8th Nov 2005; British Indian Ocean Territory". Turtle on one stamp only.
34p Nov 2005 Unidentified Sea Turtle Single stamp w/ turtle from Anniversary Sheet of eight. Turtle swimming to left under water. Stamp inscribed "40th Anniversary".


FRANCE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
None Unknown Dermochelys coriacea Postal stationery. Envelope w/ Scott France #2892 printed directly on it (w/o a denomination). "Postage Paid" in three languages inscribed directly under the the printed stamp.
2.80f Unknown Cartoon Turtle Postal stationery. Postal card w/ Scott France #2491 printed directly on it.


GRENADA

(NOTE: See also, GRENADINES OF GRENADA)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$3 Sea Turtle Symbol Sheetlet of two stamps. Upper one depicts a symbol of a sea turtle. Was to have commemorated the 200th Anniv. of signing of treaty w/ Wyandot Nation. It now appears that the issuance of this sheetlet has been cancelled by the Grenada postal authorities.
$3 Sea Turtle Symbol Single stamp w/ turtle symbol from sheet of two, commemorating treaty w/ Wyandot Nation. It now appears that the issuance of this sheetlet has been cancelled by the Grenada postal authorities.
SC 3496 $2 2005? Archelon sp. Sheet of four different $2 stamps. Archelon on one stamp and also on upper right margin of sheet. Sheet margin inscribed "Prehistoric Animals".
SC 3496 a $2 2005? Archelon sp. Single stamp w/ turtle from Scott Grenada #3496. Turtle swimming directly toward viewer. Front flippers extend off of stamp onto selvedge.


GUINEA-BISSAU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
450fcfa 2004 Unidentified Sea Turtles Cinderella sheet of six se-tenant stamps w/ marine animals and a small lighthouse on each one. Turtles on two of the six stamps. Sheet inscribed "GOLFINHOS E FAROIS".
450fcfa 2004 Unidentified Sea Turtles Single stamp w/ two small sea turtles from sheet of six inscribed "GOLFINHOS E FAROIS". This stamp is in the "d" position on the sheet.
450fcfa 2004 Unidentified Sea Turtle Single stamp w/ sea turtle from sheet of six inscribed "GOLFINHOS E FAROIS". This stamp is in the "f" position on the sheet.


JAPAN

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


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
N/A Unknown Cartoon Turtle Booklet containing ten Scott Japan Z 113. Picture on booklet cover is different from that on stamps inside, in that on the cover the hare is sitting up.
SC Z 113 a 62y 23 Oct 91 Cartoon Tortoise Booklet containing ten Scott Japan Z 113. Picture on booklet cover is identical to that on stamps inside. This booklet was formerly listed by Scott as Japan # 1953a until they changed their numbering system for Prefecture issues.


MALDIVES


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2848 10Rf 15 Dec 04 Archelon sp. S/S of four 10Rf stamps. Archelon on one, Icthyosaurus, Macroplata, and Shonisaurus on other three. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Prehistoric Animals".
SC 2848 d 10Rf 15 Dec 04 Archelon sp. Single stamp w/ turtle from Scott Maldives #2848.


MAURITANIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
50um 05 Nov 00 Chelonia mydas "Collector's Souvenir Sheet" issued in conjunction w/ Scott Mauritania #743. Upper selvedge depicts manatee, crab and lobster-like crustacean. Stamp w/ turtle is identical to stamp from Scott Mauritania #743 except that this stamp has a blue border.
50um 2000 Chelonia mydas Single stamp w/ turtle from unlisted "Collector's s/s. Identical to single stamp from Scott Mauritania #743 except that this stamp has a blue border.
SC 743 50um 05 Nov 00 Chelonia mydas Strip of three w/ coelacanth, octopus, and turtle. Stamp w/ turtle is identical to stamp on unlisted s/s except that this stamp has a white border.
SC 743 a 50um 05 Nov 00 Chelonia mydas Single stamp with turtle from Scott Mauritania #743. Identical to stamp on unlisted s/s except that this stamp has a white border.


MEXICO


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2260 5.00p 18 Feb 02 Unidentified Sea Turtles Six sea turtles swimming underwater plus one on beach. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Tortugas Marinas". Perf. 14.
SC 2260 a 5.00p 2003 Unidentified Sea Turtles Same design as #2260 but w/ different perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Tortugas Marinas". Perf 13 x 13.25.
SC 2261 5.00p 18 Feb 02 Gopherus flavomarginatus Bolson Tortoise, Mexican Beaded Lizard, Boa Constrictor and Crocodilian. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Reptiles". Perf. 14.
SC 2261 a 5.00p 2003 Gopherus flavomarginatus Same design as #2261 but w/ different perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Reptiles". Perf 13 x 13.25.
SC 2273 30.00p 18 Feb 02 Gopherus flavomarginatus Two Bolson tortoises, snakes, and deer. Anterior half of tortoise at left margin and posterior half of another tortoise at right margin, extending into selvedge. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Desiertos". Perf 14.
SC 2322 1.00p 2004 Gopherus flavomarginatus Same design as Mexico Scott 2261 but w/ a different denom and perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Reptiles". Perf 13 x 13.25.
SC 2330 10.50p 2004 Unidentified Sea Turtles Same design as Scott Mexico #2260. Only the denomination and perfs are different. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Consrva" and "Tortugas Marinas". Perf. 13 x 13.25.
SC 2368 6p 2004 Gopherus flavomarginatus Same design as #2261 but w/ different denom and perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Reptiles". Perf 13 x 13.25.
SC 2371 7.00p 2004 Gopherus flavomarginatus Same design as #2273 but w/ different denom and perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Desiertos". Perf 13 x 13.25.
SC 2375 10.50p 2004 Gopherus flavomarginatus Same design as #2273 but w/ different denom and perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Desiertos". Perf 13 x 13.25.
SC 2376 30.00p 2004 Gopherus flavomarginatus Same design as #2261 but w/ a different denom and perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Reptiles". Perf 13 x 13.25.
SC 2394 0.50p 2005 Gopherus flavomarginatus Same design as #2273 but w/ different denom, printer and perfs. "ROMO" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Desiertos". Perf 13.5 x 13.25.
SC 2396 2.50p 2005? Unidentified Sea Turtles Same design as #2260 but w/ different denom and different printer. "ROMO" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Tortugas Marina". Perf. 13.5 x 13.25.
SC 2404 0.50p 2005 Gopherus flavomarginatus Same design as #2273 but w/ different denom and perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Desiertos". Perf. 13 x 13.25.
SC 2410 2.50p 2005? Unidentified Sea Turtles Same design as #2260 but denom and perfs are different. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Tortugas Marinas. Perf 13 x 13.25.
SC 2419 6.50p 2005? Unidentified Sea Turtles Same design as #2260 but w/ different denom and perfs. "TIEV" in small print at lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Tortugas Marinas". Perf. 13 x 13.25.
SC 2422 6.50p 2005 Gopherus flavomarginatus Same design as #2261 but w/ a different denom and perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Reptiles". Perf 13 x 13.25.
SC 2435 30.50p 2005? Unidentified Sea Turtles Same design as #2260 but w/ different denom and perfs. "TIEV" in small print in lower right corner. Inscribed "Mexico Conserva" and "Tortugas Marinus". Perf 13 x 13.25.


MOLDOVA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2005 Emys orbicularis S/S of four stamps and two labels depicting a lizard, snake, frog and turtle. Sheet inscribed "Din Cartea Rosie".
40b 2005 Emys orbicularis Stamp identical to stamp on s/s of 2005 but margin surrounding stamp (outside of perforations) is different on this stamp than on sheet. Stamp inscribed "Din Cartea Rosie" in reddish brown print.


ROMANIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
5000L 2004 Testudo graeca Postal stationery. Pre-stamped envelope w/ a cachet depicting many stamps, including Scott ROmania #1719 which has the tortoise. Issued for Bucharest Philatelic Exhibition, 16-30 September 2004.


SINGAPORE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC None** 13 Oct 99 Chelonia mydas Booklet of ten Scott Singapore #909. Submersed turtle on outside of booklet cover and turtle w/ head above water on inside of booklet cover. ** These are nondenominated stamps inscribed "For Local Addresses Only". Booklet is footnoted by Scott but no number is assigned to the booklet as a whole.


SOUTH AFRICA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
B5 01 Jul 05 Stylized Turtle A serval (a wild, spotted cat) at bottom of stamp walking left. Dorsal view of turtle in upper left corner. Represents a legend of the Setswana people titled "How Serval Got His Spots". Stamp is non-denominated but is inscribed "B5".


TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$1.00 2005 Dermochelys coriacea Booklet of ten $1.00 self-adhesive stamps, each depicting a different marine organism.
$1.00 2005 Dermochelys coriacea Individual stamp w/ turtle from booklet of ten.


WALLIS AND FUTUNA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
85f 09 Aug 05 Chelonia mydas S/S die cut in the shape of a turtle swimming away from viewer. Has four 85f stamps which are the same as the four individual stamps issued this date. Sheet inscribed "Tortues vertes a Wallis & Fatuna".


http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/ Last updated:   Dec 4, 2005