Germany Weimar Republic year 1923 stamps 2m/200 mark MNH

Germany Weimar Republic year 1923 stamps 2m/200 mark MNH(**)

In 1923, at the height of the German hyperinflation era, the Weimar Republic’s postal system could not print new stamps fast enough to keep up with skyrocketing prices. Their solution was to surcharge existing stock with higher values.

The 2 Million on 200 Mark stamp is a classic example of this “inflation provisional” period.

The 1923 “2 Millionen” Surcharge

This stamp was created by taking the 200 Mark “Number in Rectangle” (originally issued in early 1923) and overprinting it with a new, much higher value.

Varieties & Rarity

Collecting inflation-era stamps is complex because of the various printing methods and errors. For the 2M on 200M stamp, look for:

• Perforation Varieties: The standard is perforated ($309 A$), but there is also a rouletted version ($309 B$) where the paper was slit rather than punched. The rouletted version is typically more valuable.
• Inverted Overprints: Occasionally, the surcharge was printed upside down. These are rare and highly prized.
• Colors: The base 200 Mark stamp exists in shades ranging from bright red to deep carmine.

Market Value

Despite the high “million” denomination, these stamps are generally very common in unused condition because millions were printed and collectors saved them as curiosities.

• Mint Never Hinged (MNH): $1.00 – $5.00 USD (for the basic perforated version).
• Used (Postally Cancelled): Often worth more than mint copies ($10.00 – $20.00+), but caution is required. Many “used” stamps have forged cancellations because genuine commercial use during the few weeks the rate was valid is relatively rare.

Note on Authentication: Because of the high number of forged cancellations on Weimar inflation stamps, high-value “used” examples should ideally come with a BPP (Bund Philatelistischer Prüfer) expertization mark on the back.