Collectors’ Stamps from Estonia

Estonia is perhaps the most unqualified success story of all the former Soviet republics. With high levels of development, remarkable transparency and a progressive approach to technology, this small country in Northern Europe is a model for how to overcome a tumultuous history.

As the country appears set to assume a more prominent role on the world stage, look to see an uptick in interest in Estonia’s stamps and postal history. Besides being a potentially good investment, Estonian philately is full of interesting and attractive issues that make it a fascinating subject to dive into. If you’re considering beginning a collection of rare Estonia stamps, here’s what you need to know.

Postal History of Estonia

Estonia declared its independence from Russia in 1918 and, that same year, began issuing its own stamps. These featured a flower ornament and were printed in denominations of 5 and 15 kopecks. A small run of the 15-kopek stamp was perforated, though very few of these remain in circulation today. Forgeries of these are extremely common – a recurring issue in Estonian philately – and the few genuine articles that do exist are among the most valuable Estonia collectors’ stamps.

Estonia remained an independent state throughout the turmoil of the ‘20s and ‘30s, becoming a member of the Universal Postal Union in 1922. During this time, a number of attractive stamps were printed, including the 1928-1935 Coat of Arms issue, which featured a unique colored network design intended to discourage counterfeiting. Other notable Estonia collectors’ stamps include:

• The 1920-1924 Skyline of Tallinn issues
• The 1920 Viking Ship issue
• The 1936 St. Brigetta Convent issue
• The 1940 Carrier Pigeon and Plane issue

Estonian Forgeries

One of the biggest challenges in collecting Estonian stamps is sorting out the forgeries from the genuine items. Unfortunately, this is not limited only to the most expensive and rare Estonian stamps – even commonplace issues that don’t command a high value at auction have been counterfeited.

The best way to protect yourself is to only buy Estonia collectors’ stamps from a dealer you can trust. Apfelbaum has been buying and selling rare stamps for more than 100 years. We take great care to identify and remove forgeries from our online store and buy-it-now sales, so you can build your collection with confidence.

Estonian Philately Today

Estonia regained its independence in 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union, becoming a NATO member in 2004. The country continues to issue a number of attractive pictorials every year for both domestic use and the collectors’ market.

Whatever era of Estonia’s philatelic history you’re interested in, make Apfelbaum your first choice for all your buying and selling needs. Check out our online store today or contact our office for assistance.