IRAQ DOME OF THE ROCK
OVERPRINTS
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IRAQ DOME OF THE ROCK OVERPRINTS | |
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This page attempts to illustrate the differences between the many
'Dome overpints' issued in Iraq during the 1990's. Most were issued
during 1994.
The original stamps were issued on 15th May 1977, and showed the Dome
of the Rock in Jerusalem and were inscribed "To the Welfare of the
Families of Martyrs and Freedom Fighters of Palestine". Michel
catalogue listing is Iraq 912 and SG is Iraq 1291.
The stamps were printed in sheets of 50 (10 wide X 5 deep) by VEB
Wertpapierdruckerie der DDR/GDR [banknote & security printers] in
Leipzig which was then in East Germany.
The frame width of each stamp is 23.5mm and the frame height is 28.5mm.
The overprints were added in Baghdad, except for the two issued in
Erbil.
All the illustrations of both thumbnails and enlargements are the same
size. Scans are at 300dpi. The exception is the scan of of the pair of
One Dinar overprints which is not to scale with the other scans.
Because Michel catalogues give the actual measurements of the
overprints in mm we have used their catalogue references in preference
to SG who only show 'not to scale' illustrations of the different
overprints, and confuse matters by using the same illustration for two
'different' overprints. [SG ref types 464 and 464a - can you spot the
difference?]
If any mistakes have been made with the illustrations and catalogue
references then please let us know what you find to be
incorrect.
Two overprints issued only in Erbil in the Iraqi Kurdistan region are
also shown below but these are not shown in any catalogues.
Two 'varieties' of One Dinar' overprint are to be found in a single
sheet and an illustration from a corner block is shown.
We accept no liability or responsibility for persons
buying any Dome overprints from a source other than Palstamps.eu and
who use this listing as a guide to their choice of purchase which they
later find to be incorrect or inconsistent with any catalogue listings. Email us at Palstamps for prices, giving Michel numbers of the stamps which interest you Place mouse pointer on stamps to see enlargements |
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ORIGINAL STAMP Michel 912 - SG 1291 The original Dome stamp 'Palestinian Welfare' issued 15th May 1977 Millimetre calibration showing width of frame is 23.5 mm  |
100 FILS OVERPRINT Michel 1505 - SG 1927 100 Fils overprint issued 23rd November 1992 Overprint approx. 15mm No known varieties 
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500 FILS OVERPRINT Michel 1517 - SG 1939 500 Fils overprint 14.5mm long issued 1994. Michel give 2 varieties of the 14.5 mm overprint 1517-I with with higher characters and 1517-II with lower characters but unfortunately do not illustrate these. They also list a 17mm long overprint [1517-III]. 
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ONE DINAR OVERPRINTS Michel 1505 - SG 1927 Michel list several varieties with different lengths of overprint [1518-1, 1518-1V, 1518-V, 1518-V1, 1518-V1, 1518-V111] and SG show different cat. numbers for each difference [SG 1941-1944]. There are many differences in both the length and the height of the overprints and the Arabic words 'One' and Dinar'and also differences in the actual letter characters. A bit of a headache for collectors! Stamps illustrated were all received in one shipment in 1994 and although we can vouch for their authenticity the lengths of the several different overprints vary. Due to the inconsistent density of ink variations in size of 0.5mm, or even 1mm, seem inevitable. Only one of the 1 Dinar varieties has the '1' in Arabic numerals. All other One Dinar overprints are with 'One' in Arabic script. Both SG and Michel fail to indicate this point, also that the varying lengths of overprints are all to be found when the 'One' is in Arabic script. |
1 DINAR OVERPRINT '1' in Arabic numerals Michel 1518-I - SG 1940 Overprint 13.5 mm 
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ONE DINAR OVERPRINT 'One' in Arabic script Michel 1518-IV - SG1943 Overprint 15.5 mm  |
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ONE DINAR OVERPRINT 'One' in Arabic script Michel 1518-V - SG1942 Overprint 17 mm  |
ONE DINAR OVERPRINT 'One' in Arabic script Michel 1518-VI - SG1944 Overprint 17.5 mm  |
DIFFERENT ONE DINAR OVERPRINTS WITHIN SAME SHEET Michel 1518-IV and Michel 1518-VI overprints are to be found in the same sheet of 50 stamps [10 columns X 5 rows]. The longer 17.5 mm overprints are in columns 2 and 9. We have only seen these different overprints in corner blocks from both sides of the sheet. We have them from NW, NE, and SE corners. Blocks from the top margin [not corner blocks] and blocks from within the sheet all have the 15.5mm [Mi. 1518-IV] overprints, so we assume [aways a dangerous thing to do!] that the longer 17.5 mm [Mi. 1518-VI] occurs in only columns 2 and 9, so only on 10 stamps in each sheet of 50. 
Two stamps of a corner block with 2 X Type IV + 2 X Type VI (Complete block not shown due to size) |
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ONE DINAR OVERPRINT 'One' in Arabic script Michel 1518-VII - SG1941 Overprint 18 mm These overprints actually measure in excess of 18mm but less than 19mm .  Michel list both 18mm and 19mm long overprints but, as you can see, the ink is quite heavy on this example |
ONE DINAR OVERPRINT 'One' in Arabic script Michel 1518-VIII - SG1944 Overprint 19 mm  |
TWO DINAR OVERPRINT 'Two' in Arabic script Michel 1519=V - SG 1946 Overprint 15.5 mm 
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TWO DINAR OVERPRINT Two' in Arabic script Michel 1519-VI - SG 1945 Overprint 15.5 mm  |
3 DINAR OVERPRINT The '3' is in Arabic numerals Michel 1520-I - SG 1947 Overprint 13.5 mm 
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THREE DINAR OVERPRINT 'Three' is in Arabic characters Michel 1520-IV - SG 1948 Overprint 16 mm  |
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5 DINAR OVERPRINT The '5' is in Arabic numerals Michel 1521-1 - SG 1950 or 1951 [SG Cat illustrations Type 464 & 464a are identical] Overprint 13.5 mm 
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5 DINAR OVERPRINT The '5' is in Arabic numerals Michel 1521-111 - SG 1950 or 1951 [SG Cat illustrations Type 464 & 464a are identical] Overprint 17 mm 
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FIVE DINAR OVERPRINT The 'Five' is in Arabic characters Michel 1521-IV - SG1952 Overprint 17 mm  |
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TEN DINAR OVERPRINT The 'Ten' is in Arabic characters Michel 1522-IV - SG 1954 Overprint 16.5 mm 
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25 DINAR OVERPRINT '25' is in Arabic numerals Michel 1523-1 - SG1955 Overprint 12 mm 
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25 DINAR OVERPRINT '25' is in Arabic numerals Michel 1523-II - SG1957 Overprint 15 mm 
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FIFTY DINAR OVERPRINT 'Fifty' is in Arabic characters Michel 1524-IV - SG1958 Overprint 20 mm  |
25 DINAR OVERPRINT on OVERPRINT 25 is in Arabic numerals 25 D overprint on previous overprint. Michel say on 10 D original o/p and SG say on 100 Fils original o/p SG 1994 - Michel 1547. Issued February 1966 Original overprint obliterated.  |
A Note for Collectors Catalogue values for used Dome overprints are shown by Michel and SG as being the same as for unmounted mint |
| Overprints issued in IRAQI KURDISTAN On 4th June 1993 Iraqi Kurdistan issued it's own postage stamps in Erbil. The first two stamps issued were vertical overprints on the Dome stamp. There were two printings, both quite faint and neither are listed in any catalogues. A few FDC's were issued, and some stamps can be found on mail but both are extremely rare. |
Overprints issued in IRAQI KURDISTAN Type 1  |
Overprints issued in IRAQI KURDISTAN Type 2 
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