REPUBLIC OF LATVIA 1991-



FIRST POSTAGE STAMPS: 1991

On 19 Oktober 1991 the first postage stamps were issued: stamps with coat of arms (Mi. 305-312). Here you see Mi. 305. Mi. 303-310 were perforated K 12 3/4. The same postage stamp with other value indications: 5 kopecks, 10, 15, 20, 40, and 50.


In the Michel Katalog are mentioned the print numbers:
Mi. 305: 100 000 // Mi 306 and 307: 5 000 000 // Mi. 308: 600 000 // Mi 309 and 310: 500 000 // Mi. 311 and 312: 150 000.
From these numbers it is clear that the first postage stamp - 5 kopecks, Mi. 305- is speculation-value.
According the article of Ruud van Wijnen the stamps were difficult to get in Latvia. Outside the postoffice of Riga: 20 roubles were asked for the 5 kopecks postage stamp. And in the Michel 2008/2009 Mi. 305, 311 and 312 are the most expensive. The postage stamps were printed in Leipzig (Germany) by the Wertpapierdruckerei and a part of the postage stamps was used as payment. Via dealers -stamp company Roll- the stamps were sold to the collectors.



Here Mi. 311. Mi. 311 (100 kopecks) and 312 (200 kopecks) have a something greater size: perforation K 14.

Mi. 313

On 23 December 1991 postage new postage stamps are issued: overprints on stamps of the Soviet Union (Mi. 6177 = 2 kopecks and 6178 = 7 kopecks).

Mi. 314



As many overprints also these are forged. Mr. Bordewijk mentions in his article the 'Saint Petersburg'-forgeries: the numerals something thicker and smaller, the T of LATVIJA has bottom right a little triangle. Unperceived the 1000 kopecks is used 4½ months.

Mi. 315

and Mi. 316



The numbers of the value indication -the overprint- are equal size.

Mi. 335

In 1992 there are issued new overprints: the first numeral is greater (Mi. 335-339). Tha values are in the new Latvian Rouble. From July 20, 1992, there is a new currency: the Latian rouble=100 Latvian kopecks.


Mi. 317.


On 28 December the last issues of the Latvian Republic in 1991: stamps with the Freedom Monument, Mi. 317-322, all the same picture.

The postal stationery and stamps of the Soviet Union were valid until 30 June 1992. So there are many covers with mixed franking.