Additions and corrections for December 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 --
ANGOLA
ARMENIA

-- B --
BAHAMAS
BENIN
BHUTAN

-- C --
CHAD
COLOMBIA
COSTA RICA

-- D --

-- E --
ECUADOR

-- F --
FERR ISLANDS
FRENCH SOUTHERN & ANTARCTIC TERR.

-- G --
GUYANA

-- H --

-- I --
ISLE OF MAN

-- J --

-- K --
KOREA, NORTH
KOREA, SOUTH

-- L --

-- M --
MALAYSIA
MALDIVES
MONGOLIA

-- N --

-- O --

-- P --
PARAGUAY
PORTUGAL (AZORES)

-- Q --

-- R --

-- S --
SIERRA LEONE
ST. THOMAS AND PRINCE ISLANDS
STE. MARIE ISLAND (MALAGASY REP)

-- T --
TOGO

-- U --

-- V --

-- W --

-- X --

-- Y --

-- Z --


ANGOLA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1316 Various 11 Nov 07 4 Species of Sea Turtles Mini sheet of four stamps, each depicting a different sea turtle. Sheet inscribed "Tartarugas Marinhas". Originally issued w/ "2007" in margin. Reissued w/ "2008" in margin.


ARMENIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
70d 12 Jan 07 Testudo horsfieldii Mini-sheet of two identical blocks of four different stamps each (two each of stamps formerly listed as #753-756). Margin of sheet w/ twelve small line drawings of turtles. WWF symbol and year "2006" inscribed on each stamp. Block formerly listed by Scott as #756b but delisted in Scott Stamp Monthly dated April 2008. Number has now been assigned to another stamp.
70d 12 Jan 07 Testudo horsfieldii Semi-frontal view of adult, facing right. Denom in upper left, "Armenia" in black. WWF symbol and year "2006" inscribed on stamp. Formerly listed by Scott as #753 but delisted in Scott Stamp Monthly dated April 2008. Number has now been assigned to another stamp.
70d 12 Jan 07 Testudo horsfieldii Adult facing left. Denom in upper right, "Armenia" in beige. WWF symbol and year "2006" inscribed on stamp. Formerly listed by Scott as #754 but delisted in Scott Stamp Monthly dated April 2008. Number has now been assigned to another stamp.
70d 12 Jan 07 Testudo horsfieldii Semi-dorsal view of adult, facing right. Denom in upper left, "Armenia" in beige. WWF symbol and year "2006" inscribed on stamp. Formerly listed by Scott as #755 but delisted in Scott Stamp Monthly dated April 2008. Number has now been assigned to another stamp.
70d 12 Jan 07 Testudo horsfieldii Semi-frontal view of adult facing left. Denom at upper right, "Armenia" in black. WWF symbol and year "2006" inscribed on stamp. Formerly listed by Scott as #756 but delisted in Scott Stamp Monthly dated April 2008. Number has now been assigned to another stamp.
70d 12 Jan 07 Testudo horsfieldii Block of four stamps which were formerly listed by Scott as #753-746. WWF symbol and year "2006" inscribed on each stamp. Block formerly listed by Scott as #756a but delisted in Scott Stamp Monthly dated April 2008. Number has now been assigned to another stamp.


BAHAMAS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1296 65c 03 Mar 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle White silhouette of a lizard superimposed on a dark silhouette of a sea turtle. Stamp inscribed "Friends of the Environment".


BENIN


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
750f 2008 Giant Tortoise S/S of one stamp w/ large painting of an unidentified giant tortoise, facing right. Head and neck of tortoise is on the stamp. The rest of the tortoise is in the sheet margin.


BHUTAN


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1440 30nu 25 Feb 09 Unident. Freshwater Turt. S/S consisting of a large oval of grosteque faces w/ a ventral view of a turtle in the center. A single stamp with an ox is superimposed on the turtle's plastron. Sheet inscribed "Female Earth Ox Year 2009" and "I am the Ox".


CHAD


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
300f 2010 Six Different Turtles S/S of six 300f stamps, each w/ a different turtle against an essentially white background. Parts of other turtles in margins of sheet. Upper margin inscribed "Tortues".
300f 2010 Caretta caretta One individual swimming down and to right. From sheet of six issued in 2010.
300f 2010 Chelonia mydas Semi-ventral view of one individual swimming up and to right. From sheet of six issued in 2010.
300f 2010 Malacochersus tornieri One individual on land facing right. From sheet of six issued in 2010.
300f 2010 Chelydra serpentina One individual on land facing left. From sheet of six issued in 2010.
300f 2010 Eretmochelys imbricata One individual on land facing left. From sheet of six issued in 2010.
300f 2010 Dermochelys coriacea Dorsal view of one individual swimming right. From sheet of six issued in 2010.


COLOMBIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1316 $1.700 24 Jul 09 Unidentified Sea Turtle S/S of twelve stamps arranged in three vertical rows w/ vertical gutters between the rows. Sheet inscribed "Departamentos de Colombia" and "La Guajira". Small sea turtle in gutter between the stamps in the "h" position and the "i" position. No turtles on stamps.


COSTA RICA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 17 Aug 10 Lepidochelys olivacea This is a CVP (Computer Vended Postage) available in Post Offices in Costa Rica. It consists of an upper half of shiny metallic gold w/ a picture of a turtle on a beach. The lower half of the stamp is white and can be imprinted w/ whatever denomination the buyer wants, along with the date that it was purchased. The date shown here (17 Aug 2010) is the date that the CVP's began to be distributed to post offices. The Costa Rican government made no official announcement of the issue date (they never do for CVP's). The image of the turtle is the same image that appeared on a Costan Rican postal card in 2006.


ECUADOR


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1981 $5 30 Nov 09 Geochelone nigra 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. The tortoise depicted is "Lonesome George" the last living Geochelone nigra abingdoni.
SC 1982 $1 $ $2 30 Nov 09 Geochelone nigra Pane of eight $1 stamps and one $2 stamp showing various flora and fauna. The eight $1 stamps are arranged on a pattern of blue human arms arranged in a "starburst" pattern with the hands interlocking at the center of the sheet. Issued for the 200th birth anniversary of Charles Darwin and the 50th anniversary of Galapagos National Park. Turtle on circular $2 stamp at center of sheet is "Lonesome George" the last living Geochelone nigra abingdoni.
SC 1982 i $2 30 Nov 09 Geochelone nigra Individual circular stamp w/ turtle from Scott Ecuador #1982. The turtle depicted is "Lonesome George" the last living Geochelone nigra abingdoni.


FERR ISLANDS

These islands are probably fictitious.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
25 2010 Nine Species Cinderella sheetlet of nine stamps, each w/ a photo of a different turtle. Designated as Sheetlet #1 on this web site.
25 2010 Testudo graeca One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #1.
25 2010 Testudo hermanni hermanni One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #1.
25 2010 Testudo kleinmanni One individual facing left. From sheetlet #1.
25 2010 Testudo horsfieldi One individual facing right. From sheetlet #1.
25 2010 Pseudemys nelsoni One individual on a log, facing right. From sheetlet #1.
25 2010 Pseudemys rubiventris One individual facing 3/4 right, w/ head withdrawn. From sheetlet #1.
25 2010 Testudo marginata sarda One individual facing right. From sheetlet #1.
25 2010 Pseudemys texana One individual on log facing right. From sheetlet #1.
25 2010 Pyxis arachnoides One individual facing left. From sheetlet #1.
25 2010 Nine Different Species Cinderella sheetlet of nine stamps, each w/ a photo of a different turtle. Designated as sheetlet #2 on this web site.
25 2010 Terrapene c. carolina One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #2.
25 2010 Emys orbicularis One individual facing almost directly towards camera. From sheetlet #2.
25 2010 Terrapene carolina bauri One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #2.
25 2010 Terrapene ornata One individual facing right. From sheetlet #2.
25 2010 Terrapene coahuila Head on close-up of one individual w/ head and neck bent to viewer's left. From sheetlet #2.
25 2010 Terrapene c. yucatana Semi-dorsal view of one individual facing right and up. From sheetlet #2.
25 2010 Terrapene c. triunguis One individual facing almost directly towards camera. From sheetlet #2.
25 2010 Terrapene c. mexicana Close-up of head facing 3/4 left. From sheetlet #2.
25 2010 Terrapene carolina major One individual facing right. From sheetlet #2.
25 2010 Nine Different Species Cinderella sheetlet of nine stamps, each w/ a photo of a different turtle. Designated as Sheetlet #3 on this web site.
25 2010 Graptemys caglei One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #3.
25 2010 Malaclemys terrapin One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #3.
25 2010 Graptemys geographica One individual facing right, w/ head and neck extended and raised. From sheetlet #3.
25 2010 Pseudemys floridana One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #3.
25 2010 Graptemys ernsti One individual facing 3/4 left. From sheetlet #3.
25 2010 Graptemys flavimaculata One individual facing left. From sheetlet #3.
25 2010 Graptemys ouachitensis One individual facing right. From sheetlet #3.
25 2010 Graptemys oculifera One individual on a log, facing left and downward. From sheetlet #3.
25 2010 Graptemys nigrinoda One individual on a log, facing left. From sheetlet #3.
25 2010 Nine Different Species Cinderella sheetlet of nine stamps, each w/ a photo of a different turtle. Designated as Sheetlet #4 on this web site.
25 2010 Deirochelys reticularia One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #4. The subspecies depicted is chrysea.
25 2010 Chrysemys picta dorsalis One individual facing right. From sheetlet #4.
25 2010 Chrysemys picta marginata One individual facing 3/4 left. From sheetlet #4.
25 2010 Actinemys marmorata One individual facing left w/ head and neck extended and elevated. From sheetlet #4.
25 2010 Glyptemys muhlenbergii One individual facing left. From sheetlet #4.
25 2010 Glyptemys insculpta One individual facing right. From sheetlet #4.
25 2010 Graptemys barbouri One individual on log, facing left. From sheetlet #4.
25 2010 Emydoidea blandingii One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #4.
25 2010 Clemmys guttata One individual facing 3/4 right. From sheetlet #4.


FRENCH SOUTHERN & ANTARCTIC TERR.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 420 None* 05 Nov 09 Eretmochelys imbricata Large prestige booklet w/ four blocks of four different 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.
SC 420 e none* 05 Nov 09 Eretmochelys imbricata Individual stamp w/ turtle from Scott French Southern & Antarctic Territories #420. * Although non-denominated, this stamp is permanently valid for mailings of less than 20 grams between bases of the FAAT.


GUYANA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$5 20 Nov 96 Cartoon Turtles Sheet of eight stamps plus one label w/ pictures identical to Guyana Scott #2917 except that stamp #2917e (the central stamp) is replaced on this sheet w/ a non-denominated label. Sheet is footnoted by Scott but no separate number is assigned.
$5 20 Nov 96 Cartoon Turtles Single stamp w/ turtles from sheet of eight stamps plus one label. It is identical to Scott Guyana 2917g except for the denomination. Because a label replaces 2917e on this sheet, the turtle stamp falls in the "f" position instead of the "g" position.
SC 2917 $30 23 Feb 95 Cartoon Turtles Sheet of nine $30 stamps depicting Disney characters as workers w/ various animals. Upper margin inscribed "Mickey's Animal Workers". Lower margin inscribed "Disney Characters at Work". Similar to a sheet of eight $5 stamps having identical pictures as the stamps on this sheet but with the central stamp (#2917e) replaced by a non-denominated label.
SC 2917 g $30 23 Feb 95 Cartoon Turtles Single stamp w/ turtle from Scott Guyana #2917. Depicts Mickey Mouse as a pet shop keeper w/ two small turtles in foreground.


ISLE OF MAN


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1394 35p 24 Sep 10 Cartoon Turtle Three Legged Postman w/ cartoon turtle and snail. Artwork done during WWII (1940) by Bertram.


KOREA, NORTH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2010 Unident. Freshwater Turt. Mini sheet of three stamps depicting different species of birds plus three non-denominated labels depicting a raptor, an oranutan and an elephant. Turtle on bottom margin of sheet near edge of pond. No turtles on stamps. Sheet inscribed "Birdpex" in upper right corner and w/ a red and white stamp-like logo in upper left corner.
SC 4871 Various 12 Sep 09 Unidentified Tortoise Mini sheet of five stamps plus one label, depicting different species of birds. Tortoise at bottom margin of sheet. No turtles on stamps. Sheet inscribed "Birdpex" at bottom right corner.
SC 4878 var. 15 20 Oct 09 Unidentified Chelonians Mini sheet of four identical stamps, each depicting a Jackson's Chamaeleon. Sheet margin depicts a small tortoise and a small freshwater turtle that may be a softshell. No turtles on stamps. The sheet of four identical stamps is not listed by Scott but each stamps is #4878.
SC 4880 110 20 Oct 09 Caretta caretta Turtle swimming right underwater. This stamp is also available as a sheet of four identical stamps w/ additional turtles in margin of sheet (see North Korea Scott #4880 var.)
SC 4880 var. 110 20 Oct 09 Caretta caretta S/S of four identical stamps, each depicting a turtle swimming right, underwater. Sheet margin shows four small turtles as follows: Red-Footed Tortoise in upper left corner, two sea turtles in lower left corner and a freshwater turtle in middle of right margin. The sheet of four is not listed by Scott but each individual stamp is #4880.


KOREA, SOUTH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
250 14 Sep 10 Generalized Turtles Individual stamp w/ turtles from sheet of four, telling the story of Jumong, founder of the Kingdom of Goguryeo. Stamp depicts men on horseback crossing a body of water on a bridge made up of marine creatures, mostly turtles.
250 14 Sep 10 Generalized Turtles S/S of four stamps telling the story of Jumong, founder of the Kingdom of Goguryeo. One stamp shows men on horseback crossing a body of water on a bridge made up of marine creatures, mostly turtles.


MALAYSIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
70s 15 Jul 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Stamp from "Threatened Habitats" series representing the marine habitat. Depicts a turtle with a rope around its body just behind the foreflippers, swimming right. Stamp inscribed "Laut - Marine" in very small print.


MALDIVES


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
15rf 22 Jun 10 L. olivacea & C. mydas Sheetlet of four stamps; two sea turtles, one snake and one lizard. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Reptiles of the Maldives".
15rf 22 Jun 10 Lepidochelys olivacea One adult swimming right. From sheet of four "Reptiles of the Maldives".
15rf 22 Jun 10 Chelonia mydas One adult swimming left. From sheet of four "Reptiles of the Maldives".
15rf 22 Jun 10 Caretta caretta gigas Sheetlet of two stamps w/ a lizard on one and a sea turtle on the other. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Reptiles of the Maldives".
15rf 22 Jun 10 Caretta caretta gigas One adult swimming left. From sheet of two "Reptiles of the Maldives".


MONGOLIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
200 2010? Clemmys insculpta Realistic-looking painting of one individual on land, facing left. From set of four stamps depicting various reptiles.
500 2010? Chelonia mydas Semi-stylized painting of one turtle swimming up and to left. From set of eight stamps depicting a turtle, a cobra, an alligator and five different mammals.


PARAGUAY


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2315 Various 25 Jan 90 Sculpted Tortoises Se-tenant pair of stamps w/ a statue of William Tell and his son on one stamp (Gs3) and an armillary sphere on the other (Gs5). The sphere is supported on tortoises at it's base. See Scott United Nations (Geneva) #451 for further discussion of this sphere and the tortoises supporting it.
SC 2352 Various 02 Apr 91 Sculpted Tortoises This is Scott Paraguay #2315 (a se-tenant pair) o/p'd in metallic red and silver "700 Aniv. Confederation Helvetica 1291-1991" w/ a red cross in the upper right corner. Location of o/p varies. See Scott United Nations (Geneva) #451 for further discussion of this sphere and the tortoises supporting it.
SC 2352 b Gs5 02 Apr 91 Sculpted Tortoises This is Scott Paraguay #2315b o/p'd in metallic red and silver "700 Aniv. Confederation Helvetica 1291-1991" w/ a red cross in upper right corner. Location of o/p varies. See Scott United Nations (Geneva) #451 for further discussion of this sphere and the tortoises supporting it.


PORTUGAL (AZORES)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2007 Unidentified Sea Turtle Booklet containing twelve different stamps, none of which depicts a turtle but there is a sea turtle, swimming away from the viewer on the inside of the front cover. Cover of booklet is a uniform deep blue w/ no figure or design except for some gentle waves near the top margin. The cover is inscribed "A€ores" and "2007". This booklet is footnoted under Portugal - Azores #510 in the Scott Catalog but no number is assigned to it.


SIERRA LEONE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 1999 Highly Stylized Turtle S/S of eight stamps, each w/ a different, highly stylized sea creature. Turtle on one stamp. Sheet margin inscribed "Art of the Nature" in large letters. Margin also depicts highly stylized owls and fish skeletons.
300 le 1999 Highly Stylized Turtle Dorsal view of turtle w/ legs extended and spread wide. Head and neck bent to left. From "Art of the Nature" sheet of eight stamps.


ST. THOMAS AND PRINCE ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
9000dbs 2004 Eretmochelys imbricata Sheet of nine 9000dbs stamps w/ a different plant or animal on each. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Organizacoes Mundais". Turtle on one stamp only.
9000dbs 2004 Eretmochelys imbricata Individual stamp w/ turtle from sheet of nine issued in 2004. Turtle swimming left over reddish colored coral. Upper right corner of stamp has what appears to be a logo w/ the initials "Upaep".
110000db 2010 Geochelone gigantea S/S of one stamp which depicts Scott Zil Elwannyen Sesel Seychelles #108. 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.


STE. MARIE ISLAND (MALAGASY REP)

An island off the east coast of Madagascar. A popular tourist spot for whale watching.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2010 Twenty Different Turtles Sheet of twenty Cinderella stamps w/ a photo of a different turtle on each. Each stamp inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin.
180pt 2010 Chelonia mydas One individual swimming left w/ front flippers in raised position. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
180pt 2010 Geochelone sulcata Two individuals mating. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty. Stamp is incorrectly inscribed "Spur Thighed Tortoise". This is the African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata), NOT the Spur Thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca).
180pt 2010 Graptemys nigrinoda Two individuals on land, facing left. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty. Stamp is incorrectly inscribed "Emydidae Deirochelyinae".
180pt 2010 Pelomedusa subrufra One individual underwater w/ snout and eyes emerging. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
180pt 2010 Eretmochelys imbricata Young individual swimming up and left. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
330pt 2010 Geochelone gigantea One individual grazing on grass, facing left. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
330pt 2010 Graptemys caglei One individual on land, facing left w/ neck extended and head raised. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
330pt 2010 Clemmys guttata One individual on land, facing right. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
330pt 2010 Carettochelys insculpta One individual facing three-quarters left. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
330pt 2010 Trachemys scripta elegans Adult on land facing right. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
520pt 2010 Sternotherus odoratus One individual on land, facing three-quarters left. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
520pt 2010 Macroclemys temminckii One individual on land, facing left, w/ neck partially withdrawn. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
520pt 2010 Chrysemys picta One individual on land, facinf right and slightly up. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
520pt 2010 Chelydra serpentina Head-on view of one individual on land. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
520pt 2010 Chelonia depressa One individual facing three-quarters right. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
960pt 2010 Testudo hermanni Head-on view of one individual. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. Subspecies depicted is Testudo hermanni robertmertensi. From sheet of twenty.
960pt 2010 Geochelone sulcata Extreme close-up of head, facing camera. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
960pt 2010 Kinosternon flavescens One individual on land, facing camera, w/ head completely withdrawn. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
960pt 2010 Graptemys barbouri One individual on land w/ head and neck extended directly toward camera. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
960pt 2010 Apalone spinifera One individual on land facing left. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty.
Various 2010 Archelon sp. Sheet of twenty stamps, each depicting a prehistoric animal. Archelon on one stamp. Each stamp inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin.
960pt 2010 Archelon sp. One individual swimming right and down. Inscribed "STE MARIE" in upper left margin. From sheet of twenty prehistoric animals.


TOGO


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
550f 2010 Dermochelys coriacea Adult swimming left. From se-tenant block of four.
550f 2010 Kinixys homeana Adult facing left. From se-tenant block of four.
550f 2010 Chelonia mydas Adult swimming left. From se-tenant block of four.
550f 2010 Cyclanorbis senegalensis Adult facing left. From se-tenant block of four.
2000f 2010 Lepidochelys olivacea S/S of one stamp w/ turtle on stamp swimming left. Three additional turtles in sheet margin. Turtles in sheet margin are Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas and Dermochelys coriacea.


http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/ Last updated:   Dec 3, 2010