Burundi year 1968 Summer Olympic Games Mexico stamps set

Burundi year 1968 Summer Olympic Games Mexico stamps set MNH

In 1968, the Republic of Burundi issued a colorful and detailed set of postage stamps to commemorate the XIX Summer Olympic Games held in Mexico City. These stamps are popular among topical collectors for their “Gold Frame” design and depictions of various athletic disciplines.

Set Details & Catalog Information

The issue typically consists of a set of 10 stamps (split between regular postage and airmail) and associated souvenir sheets.

• Date of Issue: October 24, 1968
• Scott Catalog Numbers: * Postage: #260–264
  • Airmail: #C88–#C92
• Stanley Gibbons Numbers: SG 400–409
• Michel Numbers: #444A–453A (Perforated)

Stamp Subjects & Values

The set features iconic Olympic sports, often set against a background of the Olympic rings or the 1968 Mexico Olympics emblem.

Variations & Collectibility

• Gold Frames: The stamps are known for their distinctive metallic gold borders, which give them a “luxury” feel typical of 1960s commemorative issues.
• Imperforate Sets: Burundi also produced imperforate versions (stamps without the perforated edges) of this entire set. These are generally scarcer and more valuable to specialized collectors.
• Souvenir Sheets: At least two souvenir sheets were issued (Scott #C91–C92), often containing the higher-value airmail stamps.
• Market Value: Today, a complete “Mint Never Hinged” (MNH) set is relatively affordable, usually retailing between $5 and $15 USD, depending on the inclusion of the souvenir sheets.

Trivia

Interestingly, Burundi also issued a separate set in 1968 for the Winter Olympics in Grenoble, which features winter sports like speed skating, though the Mexico City Summer set remains the more widely recognized of the two.