DDR year 1960 Flora stamps Medicinal Plants set MNH
In 1960, the German Democratic Republic (DDR) issued a beautiful and highly recognizable commemorative stamp set titled “Einheimische Heilpflanzen” (Native Medicinal Plants).
Released on April 7, 1960, this set is a favorite among thematic collectors of flora and botanical art due to its detailed, multi-color offset and lithography printing.
Set Details: “Native Medicinal Plants”
The series consists of five stamps, each featuring a specific plant used in traditional medicine, along with its Latin name.
| Value | Plant (Common Name) | Scientific Name | Michel No. |
| 5 Pf | Purple Foxglove | Digitalis purpurea | 757 |
| 10 Pf | Chamomile | Matricaria chamomilla | 758 |
| 15 Pf | Peppermint | Mentha piperita | 759 |
| 20 Pf | Opium Poppy | Papaver somniferum | 760 |
| 40 Pf | Dog Rose (Rosehip) | Rosa canina | 761 |
Technical Specifications
- Designer: Ingeborg Friebel.
- Printer: VEB Deutsche Wertpapierdruckerei, Leipzig.
- Watermark: “DDR and Quatrefoil” (Watermark 3).
- Print Run: Significant numbers were printed (ranging from 5.5 to 7 million per stamp), making them very accessible for collectors today.
Collector’s Note
While the 5 Pf to 20 Pf stamps are quite common, the 40 Pf Rosa canina often had a slightly lower print run or higher usage rate, making it the “key” stamp for completing the set in mint condition. These stamps are frequently found as CTO (Cancelled to Order), which were sold by the East German postal authorities specifically for collectors and feature a neat corner cancellation.
