Additions and corrections for June 2010

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
BOTSWANA
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

-- C --
CAYMAN ISLANDS

-- D --
DJIBOUTI

-- E --
ECUADOR
EQUATORIAL GUINEA

-- F --
FRENCH SOUTHERN & ANTARCTIC TERR.

-- G --
GABON
GAMBIA
GERMANY
GRENADA
GRENADINES OF GRENADA

-- H --

-- I --
INDIA
ITALY

-- J --

-- K --
KOREA, NORTH
KURIL ISLANDS

-- L --

-- M --
MACAO (MACAU)
MALAWI
MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

-- N --
NAMIBIA
NEVIS

-- O --

-- P --
PALAU
PITCAIRN ISLANDS

-- Q --

-- R --
RWANDA

-- S --
SIERRA LEONE

-- T --
THAILAND

-- U --
UNITED NATIONS (GENEVA)
UNITED NATIONS (NEW YORK)
UNITED NATIONS (VIENNA)

-- V --

-- W --

-- X --

-- Y --

-- Z --
ZAMBIA


BAHAMAS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
65c 03 Mar 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle On stamp w/ a lizard. From "Friends of the Environment" set.


BOTSWANA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
4.90p 2008? Dermochelys coriacea S/S of one stamp w/ turtle swimming to right. Anterior portion of turtle on stamp, posterior portion in sheet margin. This is probably a Cinderella.


BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
20c 29 Mar 10 Chelonia mydas Close-up photograph of juvenile turtle's head, swimming left, underwater. Inscribed "CORAL REEFS" in large, bold letters.


CAYMAN ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2009 Unidentified Sea Turtle S/S of three different stamps, each inscribed "Equality Through Democracy". Large Cayman coat-of-arms in sheet margin w/ turtle readily discernable to the naked eye. Issued for the 50th Anniversary of women's suffrage and the 50th anniversary of the Cayman constitution.


DJIBOUTI


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
160f 2005 Colossochelys atlas Cinderella sheet of four 160f stamps, each w/ a different animal, including one Colossochelys atlas, an extinct giant tortoise that was twice the size of a Galapagos tortoise. Lower selvedge of sheet inscribed "Coral Calcium". General Baden-Powell in upper left corner of sheet.
160f 2005 Colossochelys atlas Individual stamp w/ extinct giant tortoise from "Coral Calcium" sheet of four stamps. Boy Scout logo in upper left corner of stamp.


ECUADOR


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$5 30 Nov 09 Geochelone elephantopus Depicts Charles Darwin, a map of the Galapagos Islands, a volcano, a bird, a cactus and a tortoise. A small additional tortoise in the numeral "0" of the number "50". Issued for the 200th birth anniversary of Charles Darwin and the 50th anniversary of Galapagos National Park.


EQUATORIAL GUINEA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2010? Twelve Different Species Sheet of twelve stamps w/ a photograph of a different turtle on each. Two similar sheets exist. This one has two Geochelone radiata on stamp in upper left corner. No marginal inscriptions or markings on sheet.
3.0$ 2010? Geochelone radiata Semi-dorsal view of two individuals, facing camera. From sheet of twelve.
2.5$ 2010? Geochelone elegans One individual, facing right. From sheet of twelve.
1.25$ 2010? Chelydra serpentina One individual on land, facing camera. From sheet of twelve.
0.75$ 2010? Chelonia mydas One individual swimming left, underwater. From sheet of twelve.
3.0$ 2010? Megalochelys gigantea Two individuals on land, facing right. From sheet of twelve.
2.5$ 2010? Geochelone pardalis One individual facing left. From sheet of twelve.
1.25$ 2010? Macroclemys temminckii One individual on land, facing left. From sheet of twelve.
0.75$ 2010? Pseudemys scripta One adult on log, facing right. From sheet of twelve.
3.0$ 2010? Eretmochelys imbricata One individual swimming three-quarters left. From sheet of twelve.
2.5$ 2010? Geochelone sulcata Semi-dorsal view of one individual facing camera. From sheet of twelve.
1.25$ 2010? Chelonoidis elephantopus One individual facing three-quarters right. From sheet of twelve.
0.75$ 2010? Geochelone carbonaria One individual facing three-quarters left. Very pale in color for G. carbonaria. From sheet of twelve.
Various 2010? Twelve Different Species Sheet of twelve stamps w/ a photograph of a different turtle on each. Two similar sheets exist. This one has a Geochelone sulcata on stamp in upper left corner.
3.0$ 2010? Geochelone sulcata One individual facing left. From sheet of twelve.
2.5$ 2010? Pyxis arachnoides One individual facing three-quarters right. From sheet of twelve.
1.25$ 2010? Malacochersus tornieri Two individuals facing right, one mounting the other. From sheet of twelve.
0.75$ 2010? Elusor macrurus Close-up of head, facing camera. Tuft of green filamentous algae on top of head. From sheet of twelve.
3.0$ 2010? Platysternon megacephalum One individual on land, facing right. From sheet of twelve.
2.5$ 2010? Chelonoides carbonaria One individual facing right w/ neck fully extended. From sheet of twelve.
1.25$ 2010? Manouria emys Two individuals facing right, one mounting the other. From sheet of twelve.
0.75$ 2010? Gopherus agassizzi One individual facing right w/ head turned toward the camera. From sheet of twelve.
3.0$ 2010? Caretta caretta One individual at water's surface being supported by a man, apparently standing in shallow water. From sheet of twelve.
2.5$ 2010? Indotestudo elongata Anterior third of one individual facing right. From sheet of twelve.
1.25$ 2010? Asterochelys radiata Two individuals facing three-quarters right, one mounting the other. From sheet of twelve.
0.75$ 2010? Homopus signatus One individual, facing right. Two large, yellow flowers in background. From sheet of twelve.
1.5$ 2010? Unidentified Tortoise A small sheetlet w/ one stamp depicting a two-headed tortoise facing three-quarters left. Two small cartoon tortoises on either side of stamp, in sheet margin.


FRENCH SOUTHERN & ANTARCTIC TERR.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
None* 05 Nov 09 Eretmochelys imbricata Large prestige booklet w/ four blocks of four stamps each, plus the photograph from which the turtle stamp image was taken and a turtle on the outside of the back cover. * Although non-denominated, the stamps are described as being permanently valid for mailings of less than 20 grams "between bases of the FAAT". They therefore appear to be valid locals.


GABON


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
2300f 2010 Geochelone elephantopus S/S of one stamp w/ a tortoise on both the stamp and the bottom margin of the sheet. Darwin's portrait on stamp. Sheet inscribed "Charles Robert Darwin - 1809-1882".
2300f 2010 Geochelone elephantopus Individual stamp from s/s of one, issued for The 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. Stamp depicts Darwin, a tortoise, a microscope, a butterfly, etc.


GAMBIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 3207 25dal 29 Aug 09 Cartoon Turtles Pane of four stamps, each depicting one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
SC 3207 a 25dal 29 Aug 09 Cartoon Turtle Individual stamp from pane of four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles showing Raphael.
SC 3207 b 25dal 29 Aug 09 Cartoon Turtle Individual stamp from pane of four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles showing Leonardo.
SC 3207 c 25dal 29 Aug 09 Cartoon Turtle Individual stamp from pane of four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles showing Michelangelo.
SC 3207 d 25dal 29 Aug 09 Cartoon Turtle Individual stamp from pane of four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles showing Donatello.


GERMANY


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2555 45c 02 Jan 01 Geochelone radiata Dinosaur skeleton in foreground and photographs of many different animals in background, including a radiated tortoise. Inscribed "200 Jahre Museum fur Naturkunde Berlin". This stamp exists in two varieties: a self-adhesive sheet of ten and a gummed sheet of ten w/ fossil shells in the margins.


GRENADA

(NOTE: See also, GRENADINES OF GRENADA)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 3732 $2.50 21 Jul 09 Geochelone elephantopus? Pane of four $2.50 stamps, each showing the same photograph of Charles Darwin but w/ a different animal in upper right corner of each stamp. Issued for Charles Darwin's 200th birth anniversary. Tortoise looks very much like Geochelone carbonaria.
SC 3732 d $2.50 21 Jul 09 Geochelone elephantopus? Individual stamp w/ tortoise from Scott Grenada #3732. Issued for Charles Darwin's 200th birth anniversary. Tortoise looks very much like Geochelone carbonaria.


GRENADINES OF GRENADA

(NOTE: See also, GRENADA)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2736 $2.50 15 Sep 09 Cartoon Turtles Pane of four stamps, each depicting one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Bottom margin of sheet inscribed "TMNT" in large letters.
SC 2736 a $2.50 15 Sep 09 Cartoon Turtle Individual stamp from Scott #2736 showing Donatello.
SC 2736 b $2.50 15 Sep 09 Cartoon Turtle Individual stamp from Scott #2736 showing Leonardo.
SC 2736 c $2.50 15 Sep 09 Cartoon Turtle Individual stamp from Scott #2736 showing Raphael.
SC 2736 d $2.50 15 Sep 09 Cartoon Turtle Individual stamp from Scott #2736 showing Michelangelo.


INDIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2334 5re 27 Jul 09 Mythical Turtle Horizontal strip of eleven stamps w/ scenes from a poem by Jayadeva. One depicts a mythical turtle w/ a human head and torso which represents the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Kuma, the turtle.
SC 2334 b 5re 27 Jul 09 Mythical Turtle Depicts a mythical turtle w/ a human head and torso. It represents the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Kuma, the turtle. Inscribed "Jayadeva and Geetagovinda".
SC 2334 l 5re 27 Jul 09 Mythical Turtle S/S containing eleven different stamps including one Scott India #2334b that depicts Lord Vishnu as Kuma, the turtle.


ITALY


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2947 0.65e 08 Jul 09 Silhouette Sea Turtles Stylized globe superimposed on silhouettes of four sea turtles. The entire design is surrounded by a circle of writing. The circle of writing surrounding the design says "From la Maddalena to L'Aquilla - Summit 2009 - G8".


KOREA, NORTH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
152 15 Apr 10 Eretmochelys imbricata Stuffed specimen, facing left w/ head elevated, on plain white background. Gold-colored logo in upper right corner w/ "4.15" inscribed on logo. Available perf and imperf. Crewmen of Japanese ship "Dowamaru" presented this stuffed turtle to President Kim Il Sung on his 60th birthday. The issuing agency lists the issue date as 15 April 2010 but it was available from dealers many weeks before that date.
Various 2010 Unidentified Tortoise Mini sheet of four stamps depicting different species of birds. Tortoise on bottom margin of sheet. No turtles on stamps. Sheet inscribed "Birdpex" in upper right corner.
SC 4746 var. 155 08 May 08 Unident. Freshwater Turt. S/S of four identical stamps depicting mushrooms. Small turtle near bottom edge of sheet, to the left of a large beetle. No turtles on stamps. Scott lists the stamps but does not list the s/s w/ the turtle.


KURIL ISLANDS

The Kuril Islands lie off the east coast of Russia, just north of Japan.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
5000 1996 Stylized Turtle Cinderella o/p'd on Scott Russia #6068. O/P is all in black. Each new stamp created w/ the o/p covers two of the old Russian stamps. Although this stamp has been called a Cinderella on this web site, it has been learned that at least one of them was used to frank a registered cover so perhaps it should be called a provisional overprint rather than a Cinderella.


MACAO (MACAU)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1297 10.00 29 Nov 09 Unident. Aquatic Turtles S/S of one stamp. Sheet shows students in front of school w/ fountain in foreground and four turtles in fountain. Issued for the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Pui Ching Escola Secondary School.


MALAWI


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2007 Kinixys erosa S/S of two stamps. One depicts a cartoon character from "The Lion King" and the other has a realistic picture of Kinixys erosa. Sheet margin has portraits of Sir Robert Baden-Powell and Walt Disney.
250k 2007 Kinixys erosa Individual stamp w/ turtle from s/s of two stamps. Turtle is facing right. Boy Scout logo in upper right corner of stamp.
Various 2010 Eretmochelys imbricata S/S of four stamps depicting a ray, a sea turtle, a moray eel and a fish.
250k 2010 Eretmochelys imbricata Individual stamp w/ turtle from sheet of four. This is from the sheet of four depicting a ray, a turtle, a moray eel and a fish.
Various 2010 Eretmochelys imbricata S/S of four stamps. Two depict sea turtles, one depicts what appears to be a ray lying on the bottom and one depicts a clown fish in an anemone.
150k 2010 Eretmochelys imbricata Close-up of turtle's head, swimming left. From the sheet of four stamps which depicts two turtles, one ray and a clown fish in an anemone.
250k 2010 Eretmochelys imbricata One of the two turtle stamps from sheet of four. From the sheet of four stamps which depicts two turtles, one ray and a clown fish in an anemone.


MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
22c 04 Sep 09 Eretmochelys imbricata One individual swimming right, underwater w/ front flippers in raised position. From "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean" set.
88c 04 Sep 09 Natator depressus One individual, facing right, on beach at water's edge. From "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean" set.
95c 04 Sep 09 Caretta caretta One individual facing three-quarters left, swimming underwater w/ foreflippers extended laterally. From "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean" set.
$2.80 04 Sep 09 Chelonia mydas One individual on beach, facing right. From "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean" set.
98c 04 Sep 09 Sea Turtles; Five Species Sheet of four 98c stamps w/ a different turtle on each plus another species in sheet margin. Right margin of sheet inscribed "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean".
98c 04 Sep 09 Lepidochelys kempi One individual swimming right, underwater. From sheet of four inscribed "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean".
98c 04 Sep 09 Dermochelys coriacea Semi-dorsal view of one individual swimming right, underwater. From sheet of four inscribed "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean".
98c 04 Sep 09 Caretta caretta One individual swimming right and slightly upward, underwater. From sheet of four inscribed "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean".
98c 04 Sep 09 Lepidochelys olivacea One individual swimming three-quarters right, underwater. From sheet of four inscribed "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean".
$1.56 04 Sep 09 Sea Turtles; Two Species Sheet of two $1.56 stamps w/ a sea turtle on each. Left margin of sheet inscribed "Turtles of the Pacific Ocean".
$1.56 04 Sep 09 Chelonia mydas Semi-ventral view of one individual facing viewer w/ fore flippers pointing downward. From s/s sheet of two.
$1.56 04 Sep 09 Eretmochelys imbricata One individual swimming left and up w/ fore flippers pointing up. From s/s sheet of two.


NAMIBIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1186 * 08 Feb 10 Two Species S/S of ten stamps' each w/ an endangered animal or plant from Namibia. One depicts a sea turtle and one depicts a tortoise. * Stamps do not have numerical denominations but each one is inscribed "Postcard Rate".
SC 1186 c * 08 Feb 10 Dermochelys coriacea One individual swimming down and to right. Two jellyfish also appear on stamp. * No numerical denomination on stamp but it is inscribed "Postcard Rate". Individual stamp from Namibia Scott #1186.
SC 1186 j * 08 Feb 10 Homopus sp. One tortoise facing right. * No numerical denomination on stamp but it is inscribed "Postcard Rate". Individual stamp from Namibia Scott #1186.


NEVIS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$6 2008? Geochelone elephantopus S/S of one stamp w/ turtle facing to right. Anterior portion of turtle on stamp, posterior portion in sheet margin. This is probably a Cinderella.
$6 2008? Geochelone elegans S/S of one stamp w/ turtle facing to right. Anterior portion of turtle on stamp, posterior portion on sheet margin. This is probably a Cinderella.


PALAU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
75c 02 Mar 10 Two Species S/S of six 75c stamps, including four lizards, one Cuora amboinensis and one Eretmochelys imbricata. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Reptiles of the World".
75c 02 Mar 10 Eretmochelys imbricata Painting of one individual, swimming left and slightly upward. From s/s of six titled "Reptiles of the World.
75c 02 Mar 10 Cuora amboinensis Painting of one individual on land, facing left. From s/s of six titled "Reptiles of the World.
44c 02 Mar 10 Chelonia mydas Painting of one individual swimming left. From set of four; not from s/s.
SC 954 94c 25 Feb 09 Teenage Mutant Ninjas Sheet of four se-tenant stanps, each w/ a Mutant Ninja Turtle. Upper margin of sheet w/ a design inscribed "25th Anniversary Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1984 - 2009.
SC 954 a 94c 25 Feb 09 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turt Donatello. From Scott Palau #954.
SC 954 b 94c 25 Feb 09 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turt Raphael. From Scott Palau #954.
SC 954 c 94c 25 Feb 09 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turt Michelangelo. From Scott Palau #954.
SC 954 d 94c 25 Feb 09 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turt Leonardo. From Scott Palau #954.


PITCAIRN ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 697 60c 24 Feb 10 The Word "Tortoise". One stamp from children's art set of six stamps. It contains the word "Tortoise" but the is no picture of a chelonian on the stamp.


RWANDA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
600f 2008? Mauremys caspica S/S of one stamp w/ turtle facing to right. Anterior portion of turtle is on stamp, posterior portion on sheet margin. This is probably a Cinderella.


SIERRA LEONE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
2500le 01 Mar 10 Geochelone elephantopus S/S of four 2500le stamps issued for the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. Animals depicted are Darwin's Frog, Darwin's Fox, Galapagos Tortoise and Marine Iguana. Margin of sheet inscribed "Charles Darwin", "200th Birthday" and "1809 - 1882".
2500le 01 Mar 10 Geochelone elephantopus Individual stamp from s/s of four issued for Darwin's 200th birth anniversary. Close-up photo of tortoise, facing camera w/ mouth open.


THAILAND


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
13 2010 Dermochelys coriacea S/S of ten stamps and ten labels w/ one adult and numerous hatchling turtles in left border of sheet. No turtles on stamps or labels. Each stamp inscribed "Amazing Thailand"


UNITED NATIONS (GENEVA)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Fs1.00 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Mini sheet of four stamps w/ turtle in margin. Upper margin inscribed "Une Planete - Un Ocean". Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
Fs0.85 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Mini sheet of four stamps w/ a turtle on one, swimming toward viewer. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Une Planete - Un Ocean". Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
Fs0.85 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Individual stamp w/ turtle from sheet of four issued this date. Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).


UNITED NATIONS (NEW YORK)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
98c 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Mini sheet of four stamps w/ turtle's head on one and turtle's body extending onto margin of sheet. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "One Planet - One Ocean". Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
98c 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Individual stamp w/ turtle's head from sheet of four issued this date. Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
44c 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Mini sheet of four stamps w/ turtles on two of them. Both turtles extend partly onto margin of sheet. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "One Planet - One Ocean". Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
44c 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle One of two stamps w/ a turtle from sheet of four issued this date. This stamp depicts a semi-ventral view of a turtle whose head extends onto the sheet margin. Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
44c 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle One of two stamps w/ a turtle from sheet of four issued this date. This stamp depicts the head and anterior portion of the turtle's body while the posterior portion of the body extends onto the sheet margin. Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).


UNITED NATIONS (VIENNA)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
0.65eu 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Mini sheet of four stamps w/ a turtle on one stamp and an additional turtle in sheet margin. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Ein Planet - Ein Ozean". Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
0.65eu 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Individual stamp w/ turtle from sheet of four issued this date. Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
0.55eu 06 May 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Mini sheet of four stamps w/ a turtle in sheet margin swimming directly toward viewer. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Ein Planet - Ein Ozean". Issued for 50th anniversary of the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).


ZAMBIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
900k 2008? Chelonia mydas S/S of one stamp w/ turtle underwater, facing left. Anterior portion of turtle is on stamp, posterior portion on sheet margin. This is probably a Cinderella.


http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/ Last updated:   Jun 8, 2010