Somalia stamps year 1964 Summer Olympic Games Tokyo

Somalia stamps year 1964 Summer Olympic Games Tokyo MNH

In 1964, Somalia issued a vibrant series to commemorate the 18th Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. This issue is a favorite for topical collectors of sports and Olympic history.

The release consists of a set of four stamps and one souvenir sheet.

1. The Standard Stamp Set

The four individual stamps feature different Olympic disciplines with a dynamic, multi-colored aesthetic.

Note: The higher values (1.15 and 1.85 So.) are technically Airmail stamps, denoted by the “C” prefix in the Scott catalog.

2. The Souvenir Sheet (Block 1)

The souvenir sheet is often the “crown jewel” of this specific year’s collection. It contains all four stamp designs within a large, decorative border that often includes the Olympic rings and the Tokyo 1964 logo.

• Michel: Block 1 (Stamps 60–63)
• Scott: C96a
• Design: Features additional illustrations of a running track and the Olympic flame.

Market Value & Identification

• Condition: In Mint Never Hinged (MNH) condition, the set is quite affordable. The four-stamp set typically retails for $3.00 – $5.00, while the souvenir sheet is more sought after, often priced between $15.00 and $25.00.
• Check for Overprints: Because of political shifts in Somalia during the 1960s and 70s, some of these stamps were later overprinted for other events or as surcharges. Ensure yours is the original 1964 “clean” version for the Tokyo Olympics.

Important Distinction: “Somali Coast”

Be careful not to confuse these with stamps from the French Somali Coast (Côte Française des Somalis), which also issued a Tokyo 1964 stamp featuring a Discus Thrower (Scott #C35). The Somalia Republic stamps will explicitly say “Somalia” or “Repubblica Somala.”