German Empire

 very nearly complete 

The German Empire, in philatelic terms, existed from 1872 to 1919. It was preceded by the North German Confederation. It used two currencies early on, either groschen or kreuzer.

 File:Germany quarter g small shield.jpg|1872 ¼g small shield File:Germany 1kr sm shield.jpg|1872 1k small shield File:Germany 30 gr.jpg File:Germany 2g lg shield.jpg|1872 2g large shield File:Germany 7kr lg shield.jpg|1872 7k large shield File:Germany big 9 overprint.jpg|1874 "9" on 9 k value File:Germany 3PFENNIGE.jpg|1875 3 "PFENNIGE" File:Germany 10PfennigE.jpg|1875 10 "PFENNIGE" File:Germany 2m 1899.jpg|1890 2m numeral File:Germany 3pfennige3.jpg|3 "PFENNIG". File:Germany 25 pfennig.jpg|25 "PFENNIG" 
 * An embossed eagle with a small shield is in the center, with the inscription DEUTSCHE REICHS-POST above it was issued in 1872. There are six groschen values, five kreuzer values. There are a range of shades for each value. Note the close-in wing feather arrangement.
 * Also in 1872, 10g and 30g numeral designs were issued. Dated pen cancels are worth less than the very scarce CDS and similar postmarks.
 * Later in 1872, another design with an embossed eagle with a large shield was released, inscribed similarly. Note that the feather arrangement is spread out relative to the previous issue. There are seven groschen values, six kreuzer values, again in a range of shades.
 * In 1874, the 2½g and 9kr Large Shield stamps were overprinted with large figures of value in the center to prevent confusion.
 * In 1875-77, new definitives in new currency, the pfennige, were released.
 * Beginning in 1875, a 2 mark value was issued. It exists in two major shades from 1889 and 1890.
 * In 1880-83, the 1875-77 designs were modified to read "PFENNIG". Note that the lowest values were changed to read "3 PFENNIG 3" or "5 PFENNIG 5".

 File:Germany 3pf numeral.jpg|3pf value, the yellow brown shade known issued 1897-1900 File:Germany 20pf eagle.jpg|20pf value File:Germany 50pf reichspost.jpg|1900 50pf Reichspost File:Germany 1m Reichspost.jpg|1900 1m Reichspost File:Germany 2m Reichspost.jpg|1900 2m Reichspost File:Germany 3m Reichspost.jpg|1900 3m Reichspost. Note two cancels are normally struck on the high values to prevent re-use by cutting and pasting together two or more stamps. File:Germany 5m Reichspost I.jpg|1900 5m type I File:Germany 10pf Rhein Main air.jpg|1912 10pf Rhein airmail 
 * In 1889, new typographed-only definitives were issued. There are many shades.
 * In 1900, The Germania design made its first appearance, inscribed REICHSPOST. New engraved mark values were also issued, similarly inscribed.
 * Also in 1900, larger pictorial definitives denoiminated 1 mark and higher were issued also inscribed REICHSPOST.
 * The 5m value exists in two major types, with one having clearly serifed "M"s inside the corner "5"s.
 * Because of imperfect centering of the 5m vignette, many stamps were touched up with white and/or red paint.
 * In 1901 the 3pf on 5pf Vineta provisional was issued. See: Vineta Provisional.
 * In 1902, Germanias were issued again now inscribed DEUTSCHES REICH. Mark values were also issued similarly inscribed.
 * In 1905-11, previous designs were issued on diamond lozenges watermarked paper.
 * In 1912, three special airmail stamp were issued for the Rhein and Main experimental flights was issued. The design shows a crane(?) carrying a letter and is inscribed "ERSTE DEUTSCHE LUFTPOST AM RHEIN".


 * In 1915-16, the so-called Wartime Printing Germanias were issued. They are somewhat rougher prints on poorer quality paper. Mint stamps have shiny smooth gum. There are Wartime Printings of mark values with similar gum and (sometimes) a perf variety not used on the previous issue. Used stamps can probably be determined by cancel dates.
 * In 1916-19, new Germania values or and/colors were issued.
 * after the end of World War I in November 1918, the empire was dismantled. Germany itself was reduced in size and became a republic.



See

 * Germany, a disambiguation page
 * Weimar Republic

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