German East Africa stamp year 1901 – 3 Rupien MH
The 3 Rupien value was the highest denomination in the famous “Yacht” definitive series.
🇩🇪 German East Africa 1901 – 3 Rupien
- 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.
💰 Approximate Collector Value (3 Rupien – 1901, Unwatermarked)
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. |
⚠️ Important Caveats
- 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.
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