2018-08-17 Fri

The Principality of Liechtenstein is a landlocked alpine country, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east and north. Until 1918, the Principality of Liechtenstein was part of the Austrian Empire. After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I, Liechtenstein came under the administration of Switzerland.

Similarly, with changing authority, the postal services also underwent changed. Separate stamp issues for Liechtenstein began in 1912, with the stamps denominated in Austrian currency-Heller and Krone. After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the postal service became a Swiss affair. To this day, their stamps are denominated in Swiss Rappen and Franken.

‘Birth of Prince’ Stamps are, probably, the first commemorative stamps of the country. On 9th April 1945 a set of three stamps were issued to celebrate the Birth of Prince Johann Adam Pius on February 14, 1945.

The stamps were issued with three different colours and three different denominations but with a common design. The 20 Rappen stamp was in red colour, the 30 Rappen stamp was in Royal Blue colour where as the high denomination stamp of 1 Franken was in Dark Green colour.

The stamp features a crown with a rose flower in the centre along with the name of the Prince and his Birth Date flanked by “Fürstentum Liechtenstein” (German for Principality of Liechtenstein). The value of stamp is both at the top and the bottom.

Also known as Hans-Adam II, Prince Johann Adam Pius is the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein.

Image Courtesy: https://www.ebay.com