Additions and corrections for June 2011

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 --
AUSTRIA

-- B --
BRAZIL

-- C --
COMORO ISLANDS

-- D --

-- E --
ECUADOR

-- F --

-- G --
GUINEA
GUINEA-BISSAU

-- H --

-- I --
INDIA
IVORY COAST

-- J --
JAPAN

-- K --
KOREA, SOUTH
KYRGYZSTAN

-- L --

-- M --
MALAYSIA
MARSHALL ISLANDS
MAURITANIA
MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF
MONTSERRAT

-- N --
NEW CALEDONIA

-- O --

-- P --
PALAU
PHILIPPINES

-- Q --

-- R --
RWANDA

-- S --
SIERRA LEONE
SINGAPORE
SOMALIA
ST. VINCENT

-- T --
THAILAND
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

-- U --
UKRAINE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

-- V --
VANUATU

-- W --

-- X --

-- Y --

-- Z --


AUSTRIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
55 Unknown Unidentified Sea Turtle Mini sheet of eight stamps w/ a different sea creature on each one (fish, shark, turtle, chambered nautilis, crustacean, starfish, sea horse and octopus). Bottom margin of sheet inscribed "Unterwassertiere in 3D" w/ a small picture of red and green 3D-viewing glasses.
55 Unknown Unidentified Sea Turtle Individual stamp w/ turtle from 3D sheet of eight stamps. Turtle swimming three-quarters left. Tiny pair of red and green 3D-viewing glasses in lower right corner of stamp.


BRAZIL


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 3068 3.85r 27 Jan 09 Podocnemis unifilis S/S of one stamp depicting a scene of a river w/ an angler catching a fish. Other animals and plants in scene. Turtle in lower right corner of sheet near water lilies. Sheet inscribed "Rio Sao Benedito - Para". Small logo consisting of sun and clouds in upper right corner inscribed "INMET 100 Anos de Meteorologica".
SC 3068 var. 3.85r 27 Jan 09 Podocnemis unifilis Single stamp from Scott Brazil #3068. Depicts a fish being held by two human hands. Stamp inscribed "Tucunare-fogo, Cichla mirianae" in very small print. No separate number assigned to the stamp, just to the entire s/s.


COMORO ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
MI 2177 200fc 02 Mar 09 Dermochelys coriacea Adult swimming to right and slightly downward. From Comoro MI #BL 483.
MI 2178 250fc 02 Mar 09 Eretmochelys imbricata Adult swimming right. From Comoro MI #BL 483.
MI 2179 350fc 02 Mar 09 Chelus fimbriatus Adult facing right w/ neck extended. From Comoro MI #BL 483.
MI 2180 450fc 02 Mar 09 Psammobates geometricus One individual facing right and slightly upwards. From Comoro MI #BL 483.
MI 2181 500fc 02 Mar 09 Caretta caretta Adult swimming right and slightly downward. From Comoro MI #BL 483.
MI 2182 1000fc 02 Mar 09 Chelonia mydas Adult swimming right w/ fore flippers in downward position. From Comoro MI #BL 483.
MI 2183 3000fc 02 Mar 09 Numerous Species S/S of one stamp depicting a Geochelone pardalis. Margin of sheet depicts eight turtles, including a large Chelonia mydas and a Geochelone pardalis emerging from its egg. Margin of sheet inscribed "Les Tortues" followed by a long paragraph of text.
MI 2340 450fc 05 Sep 09 Eretmochelys imbricata Adult swimming right. From Comoro MI #BL 512.
MI 2341 450fc 05 Sep 09 Caretta caretta Adult swimming left. From Comoro MI #BL 512.
MI 2342 450fc 05 Sep 09 Dermochelys coriacea Adult swimming right near sea bottom. From Comoro MI #BL 512.
MI 2343 450fc 05 Sep 09 Chelus fimbriatus Adult swimming three-quarters right w/ head and neck bent to face viewer. From Comoro MI #BL 512.
MI 2344 450fc 05 Sep 09 Chelonia mydas Adult swimming to left and slightly away from viewer. From Comoro MI #BL 512.
MI 2345 3000fc 05 Sep 09 Two Chelonian Species S/S of one stamp depicting one Psammobates geometricus and one Chelonia mydas. Four additional Chelonia mydas in sheet margin. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Faune de l'Union des Comores" and "Les Tortues".
MI BL 483 Various 02 Mar 09 Six Species Mini sheet of six stamps, all depicting turtles. Sheet inscribed "Les Tortues" w/ plain white margins. Turtles depicted are Dermochelys coriacea, Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelus fimbriatus, Psammobates geometricus, Caretta caretta, and Chelonia mydas.
MI BL 512 450fc 05 Sep 09 Various Sheetlet of five stamps and one label, each depicting a turtle. Turtles depicted are Eretmochelys imbricata, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea, Chelus fimbriatus, Chelonia mydas and another Chelonia mydas on the label. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Faune de l'Union des Comores" and "Les Tortues".


ECUADOR


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
50c 18 Mar 11 Geochelone elephantopus This stamp is from a booklet.
$1.00 18 Mar 11 Sea Turtle This stamp is from a booklet.


GUINEA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
MI BL 5816 5000fg 20 Oct 08 Chelonia mydas S/S of six 5000fg stamps with a man's portrait and a locomotive on each. Locomotives along bottom margin of sheet and large sea turtle in upper right corner. No turtles on stamps. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "John Shedd Reed".


GUINEA-BISSAU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
MI 5025 350fca 28 Oct 10 Chelonia mydas One individual swimming down and right. Background color of stamp is pink.
MI 5026 350fca 28 Oct 10 Lepidochelys olivacea One individual swimming down and right. Background color of stamp is yellow.
MI 5027 500fca 28 Oct 10 Caretta caretta One individual swimming down and right. Background color of stamp is light blue.
MI 5028 500fca 28 Oct 10 Dermochelys coriacea One individual swimming down and left. Background color of stamp is blue-green.
MI 5029 700fca 28 Oct 10 Lepidochelys kempii One inividual swimming left. Background color of stamp is lavender.
MI 5030 900fca 28 Oct 10 Eretmochelys imbricata One individual swimming down and left. Background color of stamp is yellow-green.
MI 5031 1500fca 28 Oct 10 Caretta caretta One individual swimming right and slightly downward. Background color on stamp is pink.
MI 5032 1500fca 28 Oct 10 Caretta caretta One individual swimming right and slightly downward. Background color of stamp is yellow-green.
MI BL 807 3200r 2010 Chelonia mydas Sheet depicting stamps of eight different countries, each w/ a picture of a different animal. The denominiations of each of the eight depicted stamps is obiterated w/ a horiz. green bar. One of the stamps depicted is Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Scott #327 which shows a turtle swimming to right.
MI BL 867 ** Various 28 Oct 10 Six Diff. Sea Turtles Sheet of six stamps w/ a different sea turtle on each. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Tartarugas". ** Complete Michel number for this sheet is 5025-5030 BL 867.
MI BL 867 ** 1500fca 28 Oct 10 Caretta caretta S/S of two 1500fca stamps. One turtle on each stamp plus two more in upper margin. The larger turtle in the upper margin is identified as Lagothrix flavicauda which is a monkey. ** Complete Michel number for this sheet is "5031-5030 BL 867".
SG 1373 150FCA 18 Dec 02 Pelusios castaneus Adult facing left w/ white background. From set of four reptile stamps. Stanley Gibbons lists species as Pelusios suniger (sic) but Mr. Nils Boysen has identified it as Pelusios castaneus. Date has also been reported as 9 Dec 02.


INDIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
12 Feb 11 Cartoon Turtle Depicts cartoon tortoise and geese from Panchatantra animal fable. Stamp has a se-tenant label that can be personalized.


IVORY COAST


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2010 Three Different Species Sheet w/ one large triangular stamp and two smaller triangular stamps, each w/ a picture of a different turtle. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Tortues".
1300f 2010 Gopherus Polyphemus The large stamp from the sheet of three triangular stamps issued in 2010. Species name misspelled as "Polypherus" on stamp.
800f 2010 Chelonia mydas Semi-ventral view of one individual swimming up and left.
900 2010 Pseudemys scripta Semi-ventral view of one individual swimming up and right. Genus name misspelled as "Pseudemus" on stamp.


JAPAN

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


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
320 2009 Seven Species Sheetlet of eight stamps w/ a group of related plants or animals on each one (e.g - hummingbirds, turtles, frogs, orchids, etc.). One stamp has seven species of turtles. Each stamp inscribed "Northen Territories Local Post" but the words "Japan" or "Nippon" do not appear. These are Cinderellas.
320 2009 Seven Species Individual stamp w/ seven species of turtles from sheet of eight Cinderellas. Inscribed "Northen Territories Local Post. Turtles depicted include two tortoises, three freshwater turtles and two sea turtles.
SC 3266 80y 18 Oct 10 Tiny Turtle on Logo S/S sheet of ten stamps issued for the Tenth Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Divesity in Nagoya. No turtles on stamps but there is a tiny origami turtle on a circular logo in the upper left margin of the sheet.


KOREA, SOUTH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
250w 15 Apr 11 Tortoise Ship Joint issue w/ Portugal commemorating 50th anniversary of Korea-Portugal diplomatic relations.
SC 2342 250w 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.
SC 2342 c 250w 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.


KYRGYZSTAN


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SG 467 16s 11 Dec 10 Agrionemys horsfieldi One individual facing three-quarters left. Specific name misspelled "horstieldi" on stamp.
SG 468 24s 11 Dec 10 Pseudemys scripta scripta One individual on land, facing left w/ head and neck extended.
SG 469 48s 11 Dec 10 Geochelone elegans One individual facing right w/ right front leg elevated.
SG 470 72s 11 Dec 10 Testudo kleinmanni One individual facing three-quarters right w/ head extended but lowered. Specific name missplelled as "kleimanni" on stamp.


MALAYSIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1316 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.


MARSHALL ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
1c 22 Feb 11 Chelonia mydas Adult on beach facing right.
2c 22 Feb 11 Caretta caretta Adult on beach facing three-quarters left.
5c 22 Feb 11 Dermochelys coriacea Adult on beach, facing right, re-entering water.
$10 22 Feb 11 Eretmochelys imbricata Adult on beach facing right and slightly away from viewer. Head and neck elevated.


MAURITANIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 809 440um 2009 Chelonia mydas Close up of anterior half of turtle facing right. Inscribed "Tortue de mer" plus writing in Arabic.


MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$1.25 2011? Chelonia mydas S/S of two stamps. One w/ a skink and one w/ a Green Turtle. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Reptiles of Micronesia".
$1.25 2011? Chelonia mydas Turtle swimming to right w/ large word "Reptiles" in the background. From sheet of two stamps w/ a skink and a turtle inscribed "Reptiles of Micronesia".
50c 2011? Unident. Freshwater Turt. S/S of five 50c stamps depicting four lizards and one freshwater turtle. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Reptiles of Micronesia" in large letters.
50c 2011? Unident. Freshwater Turt. Turtle on land, facing left, w/ anterior part of body elevated. The word "Reptiles" in large letters in background. Individual stamp w/ turtle from sheet of five 50c stamps w/ four lizards and a turtle, having "Reptiles of Micronesia" inscribed in upper margin.


MONTSERRAT


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1202 $2.25 03 Jul 08 Chelonia mydas S/S of six stamps depicting an elephant, an eagle, a tiger, sea turtles, a rhinocerous and a gorilla. Upper selvedge of sheet inscribed "Endangered Animals of the World". The stamp w/ turtles is inscribed "Eretmochelys imbricata" and that is how they were formerly listed on this site but they have now been identified by George Balazs as Green turtles, Chelonia mydas.
SC 1202 d $2.25 03 Jul 08 Chelonia mydas Individual stamp w/ turtles from Scott Montserrat #1202. This stamp is inscribed "Eretmochelys imbricata" and that is how the turtles were formerly listed on this site but they have now been identified by George Balazs as Green turtles, Chelonia mydas.


NEW CALEDONIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1105 110f 03 Nov 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Depicts tree sprouting from planet earth plus turtle, birds, butterflies, fish, lizard and marine mammals. Issued for Year of Biodiversity. Inscribed "Annee de la Biodiversite".
SC 1106 var. 110f 03 Nov 10 Cartoon Sea Turtle Sheet of ten identical Christmas stamps w/ various sea animals and Christmas-related items in the margins. A cartoon sea turtle wearing a Santa Claus hat is in the margin in the lower left corner of the sheet. Scott does not assign a separate number to the sheet but each stamp is #1106. There are no turtles on the stamps themselves. Each stamp depicts Santa in a sea shell "sleigh" drawn by four red sea horses. Date also reported as 28 September 2010.


PALAU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
98c 21 Dec 10 Unidentified Sea Turtles S/S of three stamps w/ a photograph of a turtle on each one. Upper margin of sheet w/ a huge close-up photo of a turtle's head. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Sea Turtles of Palau" and "We're worth more alive!"
98c 21 Dec 10 Unidentifired Sea Turtle Individual stamp from s/s of three. Turtle swimming left w/ foreflippers in raised position.
98c 21 Dec 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Individual stamp from s/s of three. Turtle resting on bottom, facing three-quarters left.
98c 21 Dec 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle Individual stamp from s/s of three. Turtle swimming right w/ foreflippers in downward position
SC 1000 44c 02 Mar 10 Chelonia mydas Painting of one individual swimming left. From set of four showing various herps; not from s/s.
SC 1003 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".
SC 1003 c 75c 02 Mar 10 Eretmochelys imbricata Painting of one individual, swimming left and slightly upward. From Scott Palau #1003.
SC 1003 e 75c 02 Mar 10 Cuora amboinensis Painting of one individual on land, facing left. From Scott Palau #1003.


PHILIPPINES


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 3277 5p 18 Nov 10 Chelonia mydas Dorsal view of one individual swimming up and to right. Part of a very large Marine Biodiversity set.


RWANDA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
600f Unknown See Comment Column Cinderella s/s of one stamp. Depicts two different freshwater turtles on land, one facing left, one facing right. Stamp is inscribed "Emys orbicularis" but turtle in foreground is actually Chrysemys picta dorsalis and turtle in background is actually Trachemys scripta elegans. There is no Emys orbicularis on the sheet.


SIERRA LEONE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
4000le 2011? Unidentified Tortoise S/S of four 4000le stamps depicting two lizards, one crocodilian and one tortoise. Snake's head in background of sheet. Upper right corner of sheet inscribed "Reptiles of Africa".
4000le 2011? Unidentified Tortoise Head and part of one forelimb of tortoise facing three-quarters right. Individual stamp w/ tortoise from sheet of inscribed "Reptiles of Africa".


SINGAPORE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
50c 13 Apr 11 See Comment Column One individual on land facing three-quarters right. From set featuring pond life. Species is Siebenrockiella crassicollis (name too long to fit in column where name usually appears).
Various 13 Apr 11 See Comment Column S/S of fourteen stamps, each depicting a plant or animal associated with ponds. Lower right corner of sheet inscribed "Pond Life" Turtle depicted is Siebenrockiella crassicolis (name too long to be in column where name usually appears).


SOMALIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
100ShSo Unknown Eretmochelys imbricata Cinderella stamp w/ the identical image as the Eretmochelys imbricata stamp on the twenty-stamp sheet from Ste. Marie Island. Inscribed "Young Hawksbill Turtle".
100ShSo Unknown Chelonia mydas Cinderella stamp w/ the identical image as the Chelonia mydas stamp on the twenty-stamp sheet from Ste. Marie Island. Inscribed "Green Sea Turtle".


ST. VINCENT

Also called ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES. (See separate listing for GRENADINES OF ST. VINCENT).


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$2.00 28 Apr 10 Caretta caretta Individual stamp w/ turtle from SG MS5825. Turtle swimming right, underwater. Stanley Gibbons does not assign numbers to individual stamps on mini sheets. They only assign a number to the sheet as a whole.
SG 5821 25c 28 Apr 10 Dermochelys coriacea One individual swimming left underwater w/ foreflippers pointing straight up. From set of four Caribbean Marine Life stamps. Date also reported as 23 April 2010.
SG MS 5825 $2.00 28 Apr 10 Caretta caretta Mini sheet of six se-tenant stamps including one depicting a loggerhead sea turtle. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Caribbean Marine Life".


THAILAND


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 2323 var. 13 26 Oct 07 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". A sheet of just the ten stamps (minus the labels) and no turtles in the border exists. It is Scott Thailand #2323. Since the sheet w/ the turtles is not listed by Scott, it is referred to here as #2323 var.


TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SG MS 1158 Various 10 May 10 Dermochelys coriacea Pane of ten se-tenant stamps issued for 2010 Festival of Stamps / United Nations International Year of Biodiversity. Turtle on one stamp. This is Pane 2 of two similar panes of ten issued on this date. The SG catalog does not assign distinguishing letters or numbers to the individual stamps on the sheet. Issue date has also been reported as 26 May 2010.
SG MS 1158 var. $4.50 10 May 10 Dermochelys coriacea Individual stamp w/ turtle from SG MS #1158. Turtle on beach facing toward camera. SG does not assign distinguishing numbers or letters to the individual stamps on this sheet. Thus, "SG MS #1158 var." stands for a variety of SG MS #1158.


UKRAINE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 28 Dec 10 Emys orbicularis S/S of four stamps which, together w/ the margins and gutters, form a continuous forest scene. Each stamp has a different animal (butterfly, bird, otter and turtle). All writing on stamps and margins is in the Cyrillic alphabet.
2.00 28 Dec 10 Emys orbicularis Individual stamp from s/s of four depicting a continuous forest scene. This stamp shows the turtle on land, facing left. Writing on stamp is in the Cyrillic alphabet.


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
* Sept 2011 Unidentified Sea Turtle Pane of twenty identical stamps depicting the head of an Amur Tiger Cub. A silhouette of a sea turtle appears in the lower margin of the pane. * This is a semi-postal stamp without a numerical denomination. It is inscribed "First-Class +".


VANUATU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
MI 1435 100 26 Jan 11 Chelonia mydas Anterior half of turtle facing right. Small turtle in upper right corner. Blue vertical strip on left margin of stamp inscribed "International Post".
MI 1436 100 26 Jan 11 Chelonia mydas One individual swimming left plus small turtle in upper right corner of stamp. Blue vertical strip on right margin of stamp inscribed "International Post".
MI 1437 100 26 Jan 11 Eretmochelys imbricata One individual swimming right. Blue vertical strip on left margin of stamp inscribed "International Post".
MI 1438 100 26 Jan 11 Eretmochelys imbricata Anterior half of one individual swimming left plus smaller individual near upper margin. Blue vertical strip on left margin of stamp inscribed "International Post".
MI 1438 var. 100 26 Jan 11 C. mydas & E. imbricata Strip of four stamps plus one central label. Chelonia mydas on two stamps and Eretmochelys imbricata on two stamps. Hatchling sea turtles on label. Each stamp w/ a blue vertical strip along one margin that is inscribed "International Post".


http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/ Last updated:   Jun 11, 2011