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 Sand Dunes countries and others would keep printers busy since the late 1960s to date.

Like Italy, stamps from the 1920s and earlier are generally badly centered.

 File:San Mar 1877 2c.jpg|1877 2c value File:San Mar 20c first.jpg|1877 20c value File:San mar 1894 1L regents.jpg|1894 1 lira regents File:San Mar 5c 1903.jpg|1903 5c definitive 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
 File:San Mar 1931 40c.jpg|1931 40c surcharge 
 * 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
 File:San Mar first special.jpg|1907 25c value 
 * 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.

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