Definitives & Officials

• Five-Year Plan (Issue III & later reprints/overprints, 1954–57): includes the 1954 surcharges (rate cuts in Oct 1954 led to overprints like “5 on 6pf”, “10 on 12pf”, etc.). Expect many CTOs (cancelled-to-order).
• Officials (Arms of the Republic, 1954–57): the O-numbered “Dienstmarke” set; common CTO, scarcer genuinely used. First set is Scott O1–O17 (Michel DD 441–DD 486 range by various subs).

Souvenir sheets & standouts

• 1954 Stamp Exhibition S/S (Michel Bl. 10): desirable; used/CTO examples exist.
• Regular commemoratives appear each year (Leipzig Fairs, sports, culture, science); some popular names in this period include Schiller (1955 & 1959) and various cultural figures.

Quick sorting checklist (by year)

1954

• Five-Year Plan surcharges (“5 on 6pf”, etc.) and further printings; Official “Arms” begins; Stamp Exhibition S/S (Bl.10).

1955

• Ongoing Five-Year Plan values; commemoratives incl. culture/industry; look for complete sets and fair cancels. (Examples around Scott 227–230 in general issues.)

1956–1957

• Commemoratives each year (Leipzig Spring/Autumn Fairs, arts, science); Officials continue. Watch for design/printing varieties.

1958–1960

• Steady commemoratives, periodic definitives; notable personalities (e.g., Schiller 1959; repeated state leaders). Genuine postal used is less common than CTO for many values.

Valuing a used 1954–60 lot (rules of thumb)

• CTO vs. genuinely postally used: DDR produced many CTOs with neat corner cancels; genuinely postally used (messier, tied to cover or with transit wear) is scarcer and worth more. For Official stamps, mint NH is prized, but you asked about used—still, postally used Officials can bring a premium versus CTO
• Souvenir sheets & complete sets drive value: a clean 1954 Bl.10 used/CTO lifts the lot noticeably; complete Officials sets also help.