Outrigger canoe and handshake
Piece details
Identity
- Piece codeStamp code YYYY.ENT.SS-PP — series code plus stamp order (e.g. 1900.CGH.01-02).
1973.TON.02-09- SeriesThe set this stamp belongs to.
- Silver Jubilee of Tongan Scouting
1973.TON.02· piece 9 of 10 - EntityPostal authority that issued the stamps (country, territory, or historical entity).
Tonga (TON)- Year / date
- 1973-06-29
- Face valueDenomination on the stamp; +n is a charity surcharge when present.
- 50 s
- Format
- Stamp
- TypeIssue kind. Charity issue = postage + voluntary surcharge (e.g. 6+4), not an overprint.
- Commemorative
- Colors
- Multicolour
- CollectionIn collection if you have it; Purchased if it is bought but not yet received (do not buy again); Wanted otherwise.
- ◔ Purchased€17.00 for 10 pieces · Postbeeld · 2026-09-06
Production
- Designer
- Maurice Meers
- Printer
- Walsall Security Printers
- Process
- Offset lithography
- PerforationsHole gauge between stamps (e.g. 12, 13½). Higher ≈ finer.
- Die cut (self-adhesive)
- Quantity printed
- 10,000
Catalog numbers
- DomfilDomfil thematic catalog number (scouting).
- 973.15
- ScottScott catalog number (Americas).
- TO 326
- MichelMichel catalog number (Europe / DE).
- TO 454
- YvertYvert & Tellier catalog number (FR).
- TO 326
- Stanley GibbonsStanley Gibbons catalog number (UK / Commonwealth).
- TO 453
Notes
Die-cut arch over a Scout handshake, on rectangular peelable backing. Oval vignette of a Scout paddling an outrigger canoe; inscribed SILVER JUBILEE 1948-1973, TONGAN SCOUTING, 50s and POSTAGE.
Series history
Tonga issued ten self-adhesive commemoratives at Nuku'alofa on 29 June 1973 for the silver jubilee of Tongan Scouting, 1948–1973. Maurice Meers designed the set. Walsall Security Printers lithographed it; ten thousand of each value were printed. The stamps are die-cut on rectangular peelable backing, issued in panes of 20, rouletted, with printing on the reverse of the release paper.
Five postage values, die-cut as an arch over a Scout handshake, show a Scout paddling an outrigger canoe in an oval and are inscribed SILVER JUBILEE 1948-1973, TONGAN SCOUTING and POSTAGE: 5, 7, 15, 21 and 50 seniti. Five airmail values, die-cut as a gold fleur-de-lis, show the Tonga Scouts badge and are inscribed TONGAN SCOUTING, Silver Jubilee, 1948-1973 and AIRMAIL: 9, 12, 14 and 17 seniti, and T$1.00.
