German East Africa stamp year 1901 – 3 Rupien MH

45,00 €

German East Africa year 1901 – 3 Rupien MH stamp

German East Africa stamp year 1901 – 3 Rupien MH

The 3 Rupien value was the highest denomination in the famous “Yacht” definitive series.

Design: This stamp is part of the iconic “Hohenzollern Yacht” series, featuring a central vignette of the Kaiser’s yacht, the SMY Hohenzollern II.
Color: Typically seen in Blue-Black & Red.¹
Currency: Denominated in Rupien (R), which was the currency used in German East Africa (Deutsch-Ostafrika, or DOA).
Catalogue Number:
- Stanley Gibbons (SG):² SG 25
- Michel: MiNr. 21 (Often listed as a high value in the Michel Colonies specialized catalogue).
- Scott: Scott #25 (for the 1901 set without watermark).
Key Feature: The 1901 issue (MiNr. 11-21, Scott #13-25) is known for being unwatermarked (no watermark). The later 1905-1920 issues had a lozenge watermark.

The 3 Rupien is a high-value stamp from the period and commands a significant price, especially in good condition.

Condition	Catalogue Value (USD/GBP)	Realized Market Price (USD)	Notes
Mint Never Hinged (MNH)	$400 – $550+	$180 – $275+	The highest price for perfect gum and condition.
Mint Hinged (MH)	$275 – $350+	$45 – $80	Catalogue value for MH is high, but market prices are often lower.
Used (Cancelled)	$150 – $300+	$90 – $120	Highly dependent on the clarity and type of postmark. A rare or clear postmark (e.g., Wilhelmsthal or Tanga) can raise the value significantly.

Watermark: The value above is for the 1901 issue (unwatermarked). A later 3 Rupien stamp (1905-1920) with the lozenge watermark is generally worth less (e.g., Scott #41, which may catalogue around $200 MNH). Always check for the watermark.
Forging: Because German Colonies stamps are popular, the high-value issues like the 3 Rupien are commonly subject to forgeries (especially the postmark).
Expertization: For a stamp of this value, reputable dealers and auction houses will require a Certificate of Authenticity (from BPP or a similar organization) to verify it is genuine and to realize the full value.