San Marino

San Marino is an independent country, an enclave in the north of Italy. It has gained a repiutation for being a prolific stamp-issuing country in light of its tiny population. Little did anyone suspect the San Dunes countries and others would keep printers busy since the late 1960s to date.

 File:San Marino castle.jpg|1929 15 value 
 * Its first stamps were numeral or coat of arms designs inscribed REP DI S. MARINO or REPUB. DI S. MARINO. Similar designs were issued in 1977.
 * In 1892, four values were surcharged with new values.
 * In 1903-25, new definitives in two designs were issued in two designs, numerals or a view of Mt. Titano.
 * In 1917, semipostals were surcharged inscribed 1917 / Pro combattatenti.
 * 1931 saw the first airmail set issued showing a view of San Marino.
 * In 1933, six airmail values were surcharged for the Graf Zeppelin flight.

 File:San Marino Car.jpg|1962 4L Daimler automobile 
 * Beginning in 1969, year dates were added to stamps, either in the margin or within the design.
 * Beginning in 1999, dual currency (lira and euro) issues were released.
 * In 2002, conversion to euros was completed with stamps now with and without the "€" symbol.

Parcel post issues

 * In 1928, Italian-like two-part designs were issued, imperf between.
 * In 1945-46, previous designs were issued now with perforations between the parts and now on crowned watermark paper.
 * 100L on 50L and 200L on 25L surcharges were issued in 1948 and 1950, respectively,
 * in 1953, a 10L in new colors and a 300L value were issued on winged wheel watermark paper.
 * In 1956, a 10L (new colors) and 50L values were issued on multiple stars watermark paper.
 * In 1956, the 50L value was surcharged 100L with wavy lines obliterating the old value.
 * in 1960-61, 300L and %500L values were issued on multiple stars watermark paper.
 * In 1965-72, stamps were issued on feathered triskelion watermark paper.



Postage due issues

 * In 1897-1920, Italian numeral designs were issued except inscribed REPUB. DI S. MARINO
 * In 1924, stamps were issued in new colors.
 * In 1925-39, old colors returned and the denominations were printed in tall sans serif letters and numerals.
 * In 1931, blue-framed stamps were surcharged in black and silver.
 * Beginning in 1936, three surcharge sets were issued.
 * In 1945, Italian-like coat of arms designs were issued.



Special delivery issues

 * In 1907, the first Special delivery stamp was issued
 * In 1923, the then-current 60c definitive was overprinted EXPRESSO.
 * In 1923-27, three surcharges were issued.
 * Meanwhile in 1923, an engraved 60c+5c semipostal was issued in a new design.
 * In 1945-46, a view of Mt. Titano and a Pegasus design were issued. New values were issued in 1950.
 * In 1947-57, various surcharges were issued.
 * In 1965, two surcharged values with a crossbow were issued.
 * In 1966, three crossbow design without surcharge were issued.



[[Category:S]]