Additions and corrections for September 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 --

-- B --
BANGLADESH
BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY

-- C --
CAYMAN ISLANDS
CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA, REPUBLIC OF (TAIWAN)

-- D --

-- E --
EAST TIMOR (PARA TIMOR)

-- F --

-- G --
GUINEA
GUINEA-BISSAU

-- H --

-- I --

-- J --
JAPAN

-- K --
KENYA
KOREA, NORTH
KOREA, SOUTH

-- L --

-- M --
MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

-- N --
NEPAL
NEW CALEDONIA
NIUE

-- O --

-- P --
PENRHYN
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL (MADEIRA)

-- Q --

-- R --

-- S --
SIERRA LEONE
ST. THOMAS AND PRINCE ISLANDS
ST. VINCENT

-- T --
TANZANIA
THAILAND
TOGO
TONGA
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
TURKISH REPUB. OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

-- U --
UKRAINE

-- V --
VANUATU
VIET NAM

-- W --

-- X --

-- Y --

-- Z --


BANGLADESH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
10 2011 Hardella thurjii One individual on land, facing left, w/ neck fully extended. Inscribed "Rare Species of Turtle".
10 2011 Geoclemys hamiltonii One individual on land, facing left. Inscribed "Rare Species of Turtle".


BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 424 a 54p 01 Mar 11 E. imbricata & C. caretta S/S of six stamps and three labels commemorating a lifetime of service by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Central label has large BIOT coat-of-arms which features two turtles as supporters. No turtles on stamps. Turtles on central label only.


CAYMAN ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 461 $2 09 Dec 80 Unidentified Sea Turtle Turtle is on Cayman Coat-of-Arms. No date imprint on this stamp.
SC 461 a $2 14 Jun 82 Unidentified Sea Turtle Same as Cayman Islands #461 but inscribed "1982". This stamp was originally listed by Scott, then it was later relegated to footnote status, and now it has been relisted.
SC 461 c $2 1985 Unidentified Sea Turtle Same as Cayman Islands #461 but inscribed "1985". Month and day of issue not listed by Scott.


CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
80f 31 Jul 04 Unidentified Chelonian Sheet of sixteen Scott China #3375 w/ a pink peony on each. Each stamp has a tab beneath it. Four identical tabs depict a crudely drawn turtle facing left. Other tabs depict a snake and two different pictures of foliage. Left margin of sheet depicts an old man w/ a hiking staff who may be gathering herbs for folk medicine. There are no turtles on the stamps; only on the tabs. Scott did not formerly mention this sheet but it is now footnoted. No number is assigned, it is just mentioned in a footnote.


CHINA, REPUBLIC OF (TAIWAN)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
NT$12 21 Jul 11 Mythical Turtle Men and horse crossing a river on the back of a giant white turtle. From classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West".


EAST TIMOR (PARA TIMOR)

A region on the island of Timor in S.E. Asia. Under U.N. administration pending complete independence.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 28 Nov 10 Chelodina timorensis Pane of six se-tenant stamps depicting various animals. Inscribed "International Year of Diversity/Reptiles".
50c 28 Nov 10 Chelodina timorensis Individual stamp w/ turtle from sheet issued this date.


GUINEA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
MI 6397 5000fg 25 Feb 09 Pelusios castaneus Anterior half of one individual, facing right, in foreground. Pale head of secomd individual in background. From MI Guinea Bl 1663, which see.
MI 6398 5000fg 25 Feb 09 Pelomedusa subrufa One individual on land, facing right, in foreground. Pale head of a second individual in background. From MI Guinea Bl 1663, which see.
MI 6399 5000fg 25 Feb 09 Pelohedusa subrufa Close-up of head of one individual facing left. From MI Guinea Bl 1663, which see.
MI 6400 5000fg 25 Feb 09 Caretta caretta One individual swimming up and left in foreground. Head of a second individual facing right in background. From MI Guinea Bl 1663, which see. Stamp is inscribed "Caretta caretta" but the head on the stamp has been identified by George Balazs as a Chelonia mydas.
MI 6401 5000fg 25 Feb 09 Lepidochelys olivacea One individual swimming right in foreground, another paler individual swimming right in background. From MI Guinea Bl 1663, which see.
MI 6402 5000fg 25 Feb 09 Geochelone sulcata One individual facing three-quarters right/ From MI Guinea Bl 1663, which see. Stamp is inscribed "Centrochelys sulcata" the genus name used by some authorities.
MI 6415 2500fg 25 Feb 09 Chelonia mydas Two individuals swimming to right. Inscribed "Les Tortue" in bar at bottom of stamp. This is the stamp from the s/s designated as Guinea MI Bl 1663 (which see).
MI Bl 1663 2500fg 25 Feb 09 Four Species S/S of one stamp w/ two Chelonia mydas on stamp. Sheet margin depicts one Geochelone sulcata, one Pelomedusa subrufa and one Lepidochelys olivacea. Sheet margin inscribed "Les Tortues". NOTE: The sheet margin identifies the tortoise as "Centrochelys sulcata" a name used by some authorities instead of "Geochelone sulcata". The stamp on this sheet is designated as Guinea MI #6415 (which see).
MI Bl 1663 5000fg 25 Feb 09 Five Different Species S/S of six stamps, depicting five different species of turtles. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Les Tortues". Four sea turtles in sheet margin. Individual stamps on sheet are designated as MI Guinea #6397-6402. See listings of these stamps for turtle ID's.


GUINEA-BISSAU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
MI 4808 1000fca 03 Aug 10 Chelonia mydas Two individuals; one swimming right near top of stamp and one swimming left near bottom of stamp. This is the individual stamp w/ turtles from MI Guinea-Bissau Bl 806 (which see).
MI Bl 806 Various 03 Aug 10 Chelonia mydas Sheet of five stamps and one label. Stamps depict various endangered reptiles and mammals. Turtles on one stamp only. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Animais Postos Em Perigo". The five stmps on the sheet are designated as MI Guinea-Bissau #4804-4808.


JAPAN

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


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
80y 23 Aug 11 Chelonia mydas Sheet of ten stamps (two each of five different designs). One design (two identical stamps) depicts a green sea turtle. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Harmony with Nature Series No. 1".
80y 23 Aug 11 Chelonia mydas Individual stamp w/ turtle from sheet of ten issued this date.


KENYA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 794 25sh 15 Dec 06 Giant Tortoise Triangular stamp depicting Owen, a young hippo and Mzee, a giant tortoise. The young hippo "adopted" the tortoise as its mother after its real mother was lost in a tsunami.


KOREA, NORTH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 3811 Various 15 Dec 98 Three Species of Turtles Block of four stamps w/ a lizard on one and a different turtle on each of the other three. Turtles depicted are Chinemys reevesii, Caretta caretta and Dermochelys coriacea.
SC 3811 a 10 jon 15 Dec 98 Chinemys reevesii Individual stamp from Scott North Korea #3811. One turtle on land, facing right w/ much smaller individual in background (also facing right). Stamp was formerly listed on this site as SC #3811 until renumbering by Scott in their 2012 catalog.
SC 3811 c 60 jon 15 Dec 98 Caretta caretta Individual stamp w/ Loggerhead turtle from Scott North Korea #3811. Swimming adult, facing right. Stamp was formerly listed on this site as SC #3813 until renumbering by Scott in their 2012 catalog.
SC 3811 d 1.20 won 15 Dec 98 Dermochelys coriacea Individual stamp from Scott #3811 depicting leatherback turtle. Swimming adult, facing left. Stamp was formerly listed on this site as SC #3814 until renumbering by Scott in their 2012 catalog.
SC 3811 e Various 15 Dec 98 Three Species of Turtles Se-tenant sheet of 16 stamps; four each of Scott North Korea #3811 (which see). Sheet was formerly listed as Scott North Korea #3814a until Scott renumbered it in their 2012 catalog.
SC 3811 f Various 15 Dec 98 Three Species of Turtles Booklet of 12 stamps (3 each of Scott North Korea #3811, which see). Plus, Dermochelys coriacea on front cover, Chinemys reevesii and Caretta caretta on back cover. Turtles depicted on stamps are Chinemys reevesii, Caretta caretta, and Dermochelys coriacea. Booklet was formerly list as 3814b until Scott renumbered it in their 2012 catalog.


KOREA, SOUTH


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
250 2011 Tortoise Ship South Korean tortoise ship sailing left. Joint issue w/ Portugal commemorating the 50th Anniv. of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
250 2011 Tortoise Ship S/S w/ fourteen stamps (Seven each of two different designs). One design depicts a Korean tortoise ship and the other depicts a Portugese sailing ship. Small tortoise ships in background of sheet. Joint issue w/ Portugal commemorating the 50th Anniv. of diplomatic relations between the two countries.


MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
$1.25 14 Jul 11 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 14 Jul 11 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 14 Jul 11 Ocadia sinensis S/S of five 50c stamps depicting four lizards and one freshwater turtle: Ocadia (Mauremys) sinensis. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Reptiles of Micronesia" in large letters.
50c 14 Jul 11 Ocadia sinensis 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.


NEPAL


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
10rs 28 Aug 11 Aspideretes gangeticus Dorsal view of Ganges Softshell Turtle facing left. "#90" inscribed in upper left corner of stamp. The meaning of this inscription is unknown.
10rs 28 Aug 11 Indotestudo elongata Dorsal view of one individual w/ head and neck extended. "#90" inscribed in upper left corner of stamp. The meaning of this inscription is unknown.
10rs 28 Aug 11 Melanochelys tricarinata Lateral view of one individual facing right. "#90" inscribed in upper left corner of stamp. The meaning of this inscription is unknown.
10rs 28 Aug 11 Panshura tectum Two individuals basking on land. "#90" inscribed in upper left corner of stamp. The meaning of this inscription is unknown.


NEW CALEDONIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
75f 08 Aug 12 Chelonia mydas Pane of ten identical stamps w/ a green turtle and a map on each. Six additional green turtles in sheet margin. Top margin of sheet inscribed "Zone d'Ouvea et Beautemps-Beaupre".


NIUE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 732 a Various 17 Mar 99 Unidentified Sea Turtle Sea turtle in selvedge of sheet of eight stamps depicting nudibranchs (two each of four different stamps). No turtles on stamps. This stamp was formerly listed on this site as SG MS 862.


PENRHYN

Penrhyn is one of the Cook Islands.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 06 May 11 Eretmochelys imbricata S/S of fifteen stamps arranged in a rectangle around margins of sheet. Turtle on one stamp only. Center of sheet contains an aerial photograph of Penrhyn Atoll, the northernmost of the Cook Islands.
$1.50 06 May 11 Eretmochelys imbricata Individual stamp w/ turtle from sheet of fifteen issued this date. Photograph of one turtle swimming right, underwater.


PORTUGAL


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
N20g 15 Apr 11 Tortoise Ship Korean tortoise ship sailing left. Joint issue w/ South Korea commemorating the 50th Anniv. of diplomatic relations between the two countries.


PORTUGAL (MADEIRA)


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 260 a Various 17 Apr 07 Caretta caretta Booklet containing fourteen different stamps, one of which is Portugal (Madeira) #258. Cover of booklet depicts red flowers and is inscribed "Madeira" and "2007". The Scott number (260a) refers to the specific pane (page) in the booklet that has the turtle, not the entire booklet.


SIERRA LEONE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
4000le 25 Mar 11 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 25 Mar 11 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".
4000le 25 Mar 11 Geochelone sulcata From pane of four stamps depicting reptiles of Africa.


ST. THOMAS AND PRINCE ISLANDS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
100000Db 2009 Stylized Turtle Cinderella s/s of one stamp. Margins of sheet depict Jeronimo (Geronimo), Tauro Sentado (Sitting Bull), and Chefe Jose (Chief Joseph) plus a bison, a bald eagle, and a totem pole. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "America Nativa". No turtles on stamp; on sheet margin only. The right margin has a vertical line of Indian designs including a dorsal view of a stylized turtle.
100000Db 20 Sep 10 Unidentified Sea Turtle S/S of one stamp. Margin inscribed "Ano Internacional da Biodiversidade". Many animals pictured in sheet margin including generalized sea turtle. Stamp itself depicts a giant panda and has no turtle. Turtle in sheet margin only.


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 SC #3715. Turtle swimming right, underwater.
SC 3711 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. This stamp was formerly listed on this site as SG 5821.
SC 3715 $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". This sheet was formerly listed on this site as SG MS 5825.


TANZANIA


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
Various 2011 Unidentified Tortoise Pane of eleven stamps depicting a tortoise, a red colobus monkey and various structures. Tortoise on one stamp only. Pane inscribed "Wonders of Zanzibar".
400sh 2011 Unidentified Tortoise From pane of eleven inscribed "Wonders of Zanzibar" and issued in 2011.


THAILAND


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
1b 29 Jul 11 Small Cartoon Turtle Pane of twenty-four se-tenant stamps, showing different items representing different letters of the alphabet. Stamp in lower left corner of pane depicts a small cartoon turtle.
1b 29 Jul 11 Small Cartoon Turtle Individual stamp w/ turtle from pane of twenty-four issued this date.


TOGO


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
750f 2011 Four Sea Turtle Species Mini sheetlet of four se-tenant stamps, each w/ a different species of sea turtle. Upper margin of sheetlet inscribed "Les Tortues Marines".
750f 2011 Dermochelys coriacea Dorsal views of two adults, one swimming left & one swimming right. From mini sheetlet of four stamps.
750f 2011 Caretta caretta Two adults, one swimming left and one swimming right. From mini sheetlet of four stamps.
750f 2011 Chelonia mydas Two adults, one swimming directly toward viewer and one swimming left. From mini sheetlet of four stamps.
750f 2011 Eretmochelys imbricata Two adults, one swimming left and one swimming up and right. From mini sheetlet of four stamps.
3000f 2011 Four Sea Turtle Species S/S w/ one stamp depicting two Chelonia mydas, one swimming down and right, the other swimming left. Upper margin of sheet inscribed "Les Tortues Marines". Sheet margin depicts one Dermochelys coriacea, one Chelonia mydas, one Caretta caretta and one Lepidochelys olivacea.


TONGA

See End Note #6 for further information about TONGA stamps.


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
3pa 1991 Stylized Sea Turtle Scott Tonga #774 o/p'd in silver: "Tonga Welcomes the Round the World Yacht Race 1991. O.H.M.S." Stamp may not have been issued. O.H.M.S stands for "On Her Majesty's Service" and indicates that this was intended to be an official stamp (e.g. - the type of stamp listed w/ an "O" prefix to the Scott catalog number).
3pa 1991 Stylized Sea Turtle Scott Tonga #774 o/p'd in gold: "Tonga Welcomes the Round the World Yacht Race 1991. O.H.M.S." Stamp may not have been issued. O.H.M.S stands for "On Her Majesty's Service" and indicates that this was intended to be an official stamp (e.g. - the type of stamp listed w/ an "O" prefix to the Scott catalog number).
SC 635 32s 27 Aug 86 Stylized Turtle Design Gutter pairs of this stamp have a faint, white-on-white design of styized turtles in the background of the stamps and the gutter. Stamp-on-stamp design depicting Scott Tonga #1. Issued for the centenary of the first Tonga postage stamps.
SC 636 42s 27 Aug 86 Stylized Turtle Design Gutter pairs of this stamp have a faint, white-on-white design of styized turtles in the background of the stamps and the gutter. Stamp-on-stamp design depicting Scott Tonga #47a. Issued for the centenary of the first Tonga postage stamps.
SC 637 57s 27 Aug 86 Stylized Turtle Design Gutter pairs of this stamp have a faint, white-on-white design of styized turtles in the background of the stamps and the gutter. Stamp-on-stamp design depicting Scott Tonga #91. Issued for the centenary of the first Tonga postage stamps.
SC 638 2.50pa 27 Aug 86 Stylized Turtle Design Gutter pairs of this stamp have a faint, white-on-white design of styized turtles in the background of the stamps and the gutter. Stamp-on-stamp design depicting Scott Tonga #628. Issued for the centenary of the first Tonga postage stamps.


TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 849 Various 26 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. This sheet was previously listed on this site as SG MS 1158. Issue date has also been reported as 10 May 2010.
SC 849 g $4.50 26 May 10 Dermochelys coriacea Individual stamp w/ turtle from SC #849. Turtle on beach facing toward camera. This stamp was previously listed on this site as SG MS 1158 var. Issue date has also been repoted as 10 May 2010.


TURKISH REPUB. OF NORTHERN CYPRUS


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 708 2 liras 18 Apr 11 Caretta caretta Apostolos Andreas monastery w/ small turtle in lower left corner of stamp. From Tourism set of four stamps.


UKRAINE


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 811 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). Stamps depict fauna of Sviati Hory National Park.
SC 811 d 2.00h 28 Dec 10 Emys orbicularis Individual stamp w/ turtle from SC Ukraine #811 - shows turtle on land, facing left. Writing on stamp is in the Cyrillic alphabet except for "Ukraina 2010" and the scientific name of the turtle, in extremely small print.


VANUATU


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
SC 1002 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". Strip formerly listed on this site as MI 1438 var.
SC 1002 a 100 26 Jan 11 Chelonia mydas Anterior half of turtle facing right. Another small turtle in upper right corner. Blue vertical strip on left margin of stamp inscribed "International Post". Stamp formerly listed on this site as MI 1435.
SC 1002 b 100 26 Jan 11 Chelonia mydas One individual swimming left plus another small turtle in upper right corner of stamp. Blue vertical strip on right margin of stamp inscribed "International Post". Stamp formerly listed on this site as MI #1436.
SC 1002 c 100 26 Jan 11 Eretmochelys imbricata One individual swimming right. Blue vertical strip on left margin of stamp inscribed "International Post". Stamp formerly listed on this site as MI 1437.
SC 1002 d 100 26 Jan 11 Eretmochelys imbricata Anterior half of one individual swimming left plus smaller individual near upper margin. Blue vertical strip on right margin of stamp inscribed "International Post". Stamp formerly listed on this site as MI 1438.


VIET NAM


Catalog # Denom.      Date      Turtle      Description      Comment
8500d 15 May 11 Pyxidea mouhtii One individual on land facing 3/4 away from viewer. From set featuring animals in Ba Be National Park.


http://www.personal.psu.edu/crr2/turtstmp/ Last updated:   Sep 6, 2011