Italy year 1900/23 stamps – King Victor Emmanuel MH
That is a vast and historically significant period in Italian philately! The stamps featuring King Victor Emmanuel III (Re Vittorio Emanuele III) were the definitive issues of the Kingdom of Italy for much of his reign (1900–1946).
The period from 1900 to 1923 covers several distinct, long-running definitive series, which can be summarized into a few major categories:
👑 Major Series of Victor Emmanuel III (1900-1923)
| Year(s) | Key Series / Designs | Denominations |
| 1901 | Eagle & Head of King (Aquila & Effigie) | 1c to 5 Lire (11 values). Features the Savoy Eagle on low values and the King’s Head facing left on higher values. |
| 1906 | King’s Head Facing Left/Right | New stamps with a different, often more detailed, portrait design by Michetti/Savage. |
| 1908-1920 | Michetti Series / King’s Head (continued) | Various values and colors were introduced or changed over the years to meet postal rate needs, including stamps for parcel post. |
| 1910 | Garibaldi Issue | Commemorative stamps (often high-value) were issued alongside the definitives. |
| 1921-1923 | New/Surcharged Values | Surcharged stamps and new permanent designs (often featuring the King’s Head or the Coat of Arms) were issued to cope with post-WWI inflation. |
💰 Value Considerations (The Wide Range)
The value of these stamps varies enormously, depending primarily on three factors:
1. Denomination (Face Value)
- Low Values (1c to 50c): Printed in very large numbers for common postage. Used copies often sell for well under $1 (or a few Euros) each. Mint Never Hinged (MNH) low values are more collectible but still common.
- High Values (1 Lira and up): Printed in smaller numbers. These stamps are generally the most valuable.
- Example: A 5 Lira (5 L.) stamp from the 1901 issue (Scott #78) can range from €6.90 Used to €95.00 MNH (Mint Never Hinged).
- The 10 Lira (10 L.) from 1910 (Scott #91) can be valued around €23.00 Used to €98.00 MNH.
