Micronesia

Micronesia has an interesting stamp history. Originally part of the Spanish Caroline Islands, they were sold to Germany in 1899. Stamps of Germany were overprinted “Carolinen” and used in the islands. From 1901 until 1919, stamps were inscribed with the name. The stamps’ vignettes showed the German kaiser’s yacht, Hohenzollern, a common design for German colonies. During World War I the islands were invaded and occupied by the Japanese. Stamps of Japan were used until Micronesia became a U.S. Trust Territory in 1944. U.S. stamps were in use until 1984, when Micronesia issued its first stamps – a se-tenant of four picturing their four federated states. The U.S. Postal Service continues to handle Micronesia’s mail.