Germany – Variable value stamps

 

Types of back numerals (every 5th label)
Specimen (“Muster”)

On the 2nd of January 1981, German federal post office introduced vending machines for variable value stamps. With this solution, the machine printed a user specified amount on a blank label at the point of purchase.

As postal rates vary and change over time, it was possible to imprint any value ranging from 5 to 9995 pfennig. With the introduction of euro, this range is now between 0.01 and 36.81€.

A number of different vending machines were introduced to the market over time, which resulted in different types of imprints. In combination with different labels, variable value stamps represent an interesting area of philately.

TYPES OF VALUE PRINTINGS
Type I:

  • inscription DBP thin.

Used on labels:

  • Emblem of the German federal post office
  • Sanssouci Palace
 Type II:

  • inscription DBP thick.

Used on labels:

  • Emblem of the German federal post office
  • Sanssouci Palace
 Type III:

  • inscription DBP and numerals thick.

Used on labels:

  • Sanssouci Palace
  • Emblem of the German federal post office (unofficial)
 Type IV:

  • similar to Type III, only slightly larger distance between letters DBP.

Used on labels:

  • Sanssouci Palace
  • Post horns
Type V:

  • post horn instead of DBP.

Used on labels:

  • Sanssouci Palace
  • Post horns
 Type VI:

  • numerals thinner, larger distance between numerals, asterisk at the end machine printed.

Used on labels:

  • Post horns
 Type VII:

  • similar to VI, only € sign instead of post horn.

Used on labels:

  • Post horns
 Type VII:

  • printing short (approx. 28 mm), no asterisk at the end.

Used on labels:

  • Letter box
Type VIII:

  • similar to VII, only printing longer (approx. 31 mm).

Used on labels:

  • Letter box
SUBTYPES
Emblem of the German federal post office
Numeral 2: Type I:

  • curve of numeral 2 rounded at bottom.

Numeral 2: Type II:

  • bottom curve of numeral 2 ends in a point.
Numeral 5: Type I:

  • vertical stroke of numeral 5 upright,
  • numeral 5 rounded at bottom.

Numeral 5: Type II:

  • vertical stroke of numeral 5 slightly tilted to the right,
  • numeral 5 thin at bottom, slightly pointing upwards.
CONSTANT VARIETIES
Emblem of the German federal post office
I Break in the netting. (The Boomerang flaw).
COINCIDENTAL VARIETIES
1 Albino print.
(Note: color is probably water sensitive, as this occurrence is noted predominantly on used stamps.)
2 Without printed value.
3 Miscuts as a consequence of wrong insertion.
(Note: circles must be complete.)
4 Inverted print.
5 Print on the back side.
6 Gone through paper print.
7 Value partially printed.
8 Unofficial usage.
(Type III printing was not meant to be used on Emblem of the German federal post office labels.)

 

References

Bibliography

  1. Michel Deutschland-Spezial 2005, Band 2: Ab Mai 1945 (Alliierte Besetzung bis BRD), Schwaneberger Verlag GmbH, ISBN 3-87858-145-9

External links

  1. Dr. Edo-Meino Eden: Deutsche Postautomation