Croatian Stamps

Regular stamps, revenues, Cinderella stamps and exile stamps of the Independent State of Croatia 1934 - today.

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Currency of the Independent State of Croatia : Kuna and Banica.

The name Kuna for the permanent Croatian currency was chosen because of the significant role of the marten fur in Croatian monetary and fiscal history. The history of the name of the monetary unit of Croatia begins with the kuna fur as a means of natural payment, then the Kuna becomes an accounting monetary unit and, finally, money in the modern sense.

The marten´s fur served as a means of paying the tax called kunovina or marturina in medieval Slavonia, Primorje and Dalmatia; from the first half of the 13th century until almost the end of the 14th century, the figure of the marten appeared on Croatian coins called Banovac (minted in Pakrac). The Kuna was the potential money of Banovina Hrvatska.

 

We find the first mention of natural payment in marten skins when paying a tax (tribute) in the amount of 40 marten skins (Osor on Cres) or 50 marten skins (Beli, also on Cres).

The tribute was collected by the Venetian Doge Otto Orseolo in 1018 in Osor.

From 1941 to 1945, the Kuna became the currency of the Independent State of Croatia. Italian Lira banknotes and German Reichskreditkassenschein banknotes were temporarily in circulation until 31.12. 1941, i.e. 23.8. 1941, and after that the Kuna was the only and exclusive legal tender.

The abbreviation for Kuna was Kn.

Srboje Klasić, a difficult "(h)istorian" without a history, made himself an idiot, because he claims that the Kuna is Ustasha money, minted in 1941. That difficult "historian" who doesn't know about history has probably never heard or seen 5 Kunas minted in 1934 (see below) and apparently not even for Banovac from the middle of the 13th century.

 

In 2004, an international symposium was held in Zagreb with the theme 'Religions and money'. The following year, the organizer of the symposium, the Philosophical and Theological Institute of the Society of Jesus, published the proceedings of the symposium.

It also published the work of Ševko Omerbašić, the former mufti of Zagreb for many years and the president of the Mešihat of the Islamic Community in Croatia, under the title 'Islam and money'.

 

Here is the part related to our Kuna :

"Finally, allow me to convey to you a part of a report by the travel writer Abu Hamid al-Garnati from long ago, in 1154, in which he reports on a three-year stay in Hungary (Unkaria) among the Ismaelian and Kalizi Muslims there. In his manuscript, which was discovered in 1952 in the famous manuscript collection of the 'Real Academia de la Historia' in the Escorial in Madrid, and was translated, edited, edited and published in 1953 by the Spanish orientalist C. E. Dubler, Abu Hamid describes in detail the money that firmly connected with the name of our Kuna coin. Here is what Abu Hamid says about that money: 'Arriving in the land of the Croats, I found out that it is a vast and rich country. I have seen many hives of bees, fields of barley and wheat, and many orchards of apples, and I have never eaten bigger, tastier, and more delicious apples. Food is very cheap. As a means of payment in mutual trade, they use marten skin, with shaved hair, which is not used for anything else, nor is it usable for anything else. The skin of the marten must be complete with the head, front and hind paws and only as such is correct. Eighteen such skins are worth one silver Dirham, according to their exchange rate. The skin is lined with strong thread and is called "kundža". One such foreskin buys a piece of bread, enough to feed a grown man. With them, everything is bought and sold for these skins, concubines, slaves, servants, gold, silver, food and all other necessities. This money is not valid in any other country. When the leather money is worn, they are taken for repair to a craftsman who sews up the torn skins with strong leather thread. Black lead beads are hung on the edge threads, and then they are sealed with a red royal seal. A seal is stamped on each skin. Skins repaired in this way are put into circulation and no one can refuse them in the trade."

In addition to the Kuna as a means of payment for the Croats, Abu Hamid describes their country, a large black river (Danube) whose water is drinkable and sweet, and in which there are more water snakes than fish, impenetrable forests where different and strange animals live, beavers around the rivers whose he takes the skin to Bulgaria and sells it on the markets, and furs are made from it. Abu Hamid describes the Croats as very honest and hardworking people.

Arab travel writers mostly went on their long journeys on behalf of the authorities in Baghdad or Cordoba. They found donors among the traders who paid for their journeys, and they in turn were obliged to describe in detail the countries and peoples in which they stayed, their economy, agriculture and natural resources. It was the same with Abu Hamid.'

And now Srboje Klasić?

 

 

25 Banica :

Sample. 1941. Zinc

Different metals.

The coin was to be released in zinc after World War II.

25 Banica :

Sample from the year 1941. with other backside.

Manufactured in different metals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 Banica :

Sample. 1941. Gold.

The coin was to be released in zinc after World War II.

50 Banica :

Sample 1941. Zinc.

The coin was to be released in zinc after World War II.

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 Banica :

Sample. 1941. Gold.

The coin was to be released in zinc after World War II.

1 Kuna :

Sample. 1941.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Kuna :

Sample. 1941.

Manufactured in different metals.

1 Kuna :

Sample. 1941.

Manufactured in different metals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Kuna :

Zinc. 1941.

The only coin (apart from gold coins) that was used in the Independent State of Croatia.

2 Kuna :

Zinc. 1941.

Sample.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Kuna :

Zinc. 1941.

Sample.

2 Kuna :

Zinc. 1941.

Sample.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Kune :

Zinc. 1941.

Sample.

4 Kune :

Telephone coin. 1941.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Kuna :

Issued in exile in 1934, 7 years before the establishment of the Independent State of Croatia. manufactured in Berlin / Germany.

Silver (900/1000), 23 mm, 4.34 g.

There are also coins made of bronze, nickel and copper.

5 Kuna :

Zinc. 1941.

Sample.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Kuna :

Recent fake!

10 Kuna :

Sample. 1941.

Manufactured in different metals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Kuna :

Recent fake!

50 Kuna :

Private edition after World War II! No issue of the government-in-exile of the Independent State of Croatia!

Gold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 Kuna :

Private edition after World War II! No issue of the government-in-exile of the Independent State of Croatia!

Silver.

100 Kuna :

Issued by the Ustasha-emigration in the year 1979.

Silver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

250 Kuna :

Issued by the Ustasha-emigration in the year 1959.

Silver.

500 Kuna :

1941.

Gold.

Made in the Croatian State Mint in Zagreb in 1941.

According to the latest literature, with which most experts agree, no more than 19 pieces were made, and a smaller number are today in private collections (value around 7,500 €).

The literature mentions the production of 450 gold coins, newly minted, but these are copies from 1948, which are smaller and 1g lighter, and in the catalog the value is 3,000 €.

 

 

 

 

 

 

500 Kuna :

Without “U” over national coat of arms.

1941.

Gold.

500 Kuna :

1941.

Silver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

500 Kuna :

Without “U” over national coat of arms.

1941.

Silver.

500 Kuna :

1941.

Gold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

500 Kuna :

Without “U” over national coat of arms.

1941.

Gold.

500 Kuna :

1941.

Silver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

500 Kuna :

Without “U” over national coat of arms.

1941.

Silver.

500 Kuna :

1989. Silver (1000/1000), 25 g, 40 mm.

The coin was issued by Višnja Pavelić, daughter of the Poglavnik Dr. Ante Pavelić in Madrid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia :

 

50 Banica :

Day of publishing : 25. September 1942.

Size : 44×80 mm

 

 

 

1 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 25. September 1942.

Size : 81×44 mm

 

 

 

2 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 25. September 1942.

Size : 81×44 mm

 

 

 

10 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 30. August 1941.

Size : 135×68 mm

 

 

 

20 Kuna :

Dan izdanja : 15. January 1944.

Size : 140×64 mm

 

 

 

50 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 15. January 1944.

Size : 144×67 mm

 

 

 

50 Kuna :

Dan izdanja : 26. May 1941.

Size : 140×75 mm

 

 

 

100 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 1. September 1943.

Size : 157×73 mm

 

 

 

100 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 26. May 1941.

Size :
150×80 mm

 

 

 

500 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 1. September 1943.

Size : 167×76 mm

 

 

 

500 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 26. May 1941.

Size : 157×84 mm

 

 

 

1000 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 1. September 1943.

Size : 176×80 mm

 

 

 

1000 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 26. May 1941.

Size :
137×68 mm

 

 

 

5000 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 1. September 1943.

Size : 185×85 mm

 

 

 

5000 Kuna :

Day of publishing : 15. July 1943.

Size : 180×95 mm

 

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia : local paper-money for Zagreb.

 

50 Banica :

Day of publishing : 1. September 1942.

Size : 69×48mm

 

 

 

50 Banica :

Day of publishing : 1. September 1942.

Size : 69×48mm

 

 

 

50 Banica :

Day of publishing : 1. September 1942.

Size : 69×48mm

 

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia : group Marić.

 

 

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia : bakery Albin Hruš.

 

25 Banica :

Day of publishing : ???

Size : ???

 

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia : dairy S. Breber.

 

25 Banica :

Day of publishing : ???

Size : ???

 

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia : State Treasury.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia : defector legitimacy.

 

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia : Union of Cooperatives of Civil Servants in Zagreb.

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia : Ministry of State Treasury.

 

 

 

 

 

Paper money of the Independent State of Croatia : SS division “Prince Eugen”.

 

 

 

 

Reichskreditkassenschein :

 

Reichkreditkassenscheine - German banknotes printed exclusively for use in occupied or liberated countries.

Unlike the Wermacht banknotes, Reichkreditkassenschein were officially in circulation in the Independent State of Croatia from April 25, 1941. until August 23, 1941. year with an exchange rate of 1:20.

 

50 Reichspfennig :

Reichskreditkassenschein.

 

 

 

1 Reichsmark :

Reichskreditkassenschein.

 

 

 

2 Reichsmark :

Reichskreditkassenschein.

 

 

 

5 Reichsmark :

Reichskreditkassenschein.

 

 

 

20 Reichsmark :

Reichskreditkassenschein.

 

 

 

50 Reichsmark :

Reichskreditkassenschein.

 

 

 

 

Coins : Reichskreditkassenmünzen.

 

Coins were minted in all mints of the Reich in 1940, and in 1941 only in forms A and F. Coins of the Imperial Treasury (A) from the Berlin mint were issued en masse, so they are not considered
rare.

 

Left : 5 Pfennig from the year 1940. godine. Zinc.

 

 

Left : 10 Pfennig from the year 1940. godine. Zinc.

 

 

Coins of the Croatian Naval Legion :

 

The Croatian Naval Legion had the military post number 34437.

 

Left : 1 Pfennig. Zinc. 1943.

 

 

Left : 2 Pfennig. Zinc. 1943.

 

 

Left : 5 Pfennig. Zinc. 1943.

 

 

Left : 10 Pfennig. Zinc. 1943.

 

 

Left : 50 Pfennig. Zinc. 1943.

 

 

Left : 200 Pfennig. Zinc. 1943.

 

 

Left : 500 Pfennig. Zinc. 1943.

 

 

NEW IN STOCK :

 

Sandžak :

The Sandžak was from the April, 29th, 1941 for 6 months part of the Independent State of Croatia. At this date a stamp set, limited to 99 copies, was issued and given to the some members of the croatian customs members and Ustaša (all croatian muslims).

To honour this annexion, local patriots from the Sandžak who haven´t forgot this event have issued a set of 24 stamps with landscape-motives from the Sandžak at April, 29th, 2024.

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

 

Veterans Association Handschar :

The german Veterans Association Handschar have issued in 1955 two overprinted stamp-sets and between 1989-1994 80 stamp sets to help Croatians in emigration and in the 1990´s to collect money for croatian defense against the serbian aggression against Croatia.

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

 

The “Omoti”-sets :

In 1993 32 music-cover sets were issued from the emigration of the Independent State of Croatia. Every set contains 16 stamps.

8 sets are dedicated bands :
- 3 sets of Depeche Mode.
- 1 set of Kraftwerk.
- 1 set of Front 242.
- 1 set of Nitzer Ebb.
- 1 set of Front Line Assembly.
- 1 set of Skinny Puppy.

24 sets are dedicated to music styles :
- 8 sets of
70s/80s/90s Synthie Pop, Darkwave, Dark Electro, Italo Disco, Neofolk, ... .
- 2 sets of Electronic Body Music.
- 2 sets of Neue Deutsche Welle.
- 2 sets of House, Dance, ... .
- 3 sets of Hip Hop, Miami Bass, Freestyle, ... .
- 3 sets of Heavy Metal, Rock, Hard Rock, ... .
- 1 sets of Punk, Oi, ... .
- 3 sets of Italo Disco, Euro Disco, Hi NRG, ... .

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

In 1994 four music-cover sets were issued from the emigration of the Independent State of Croatia :

- 1 set of Erasure
- 1 set of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
- 1 set of Pet Shop Boys
- 1 set of The Cure

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

In 2022 three more music-cover sets were issued from the emigration of the Independent State of Croatia :

- 3 sets of Neofolk, Industrial ...

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

In 2024 three band-sets of the band Rammstein were issued from the emigration of the Independent State of Croatia :

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

In 2024 nine music-cover sets were issued from the emigration of the Independent State of Croatia :

- 1 set of Adele
- 1 set of Ariana Grande
- 1 set of Beyoncé
- 1 set of Christina Aguilera
- 1 set of Lady Gaga
- 1 set of Miley Cyrus
- 1 set of Pink
- 1 set of Rihanna
- 1 set of Taylor Swift

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

 

Counties “Raša” and “Dubrava” :

After the italian capitulation in the year 1943 the croatian territories, occupied by fascistic Italy, returns to the Independent State of Croatia.

Overprints at italian stamps were issued from the Great County of Dubrava for the planed return of the Bay of Kotor and the planned foundation of the Great County of Raša (today known as Istria).

Read more about the [ Great County of Raša ] and the [ Great County of Dubrava ].

[ BUY HERE ]

 

Prince Eugen Gau :

Before the war III. Reich against the in theeses days existing Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the Germans threatened the Hungarians that if they did not participate in that war, the Volksdeutsche would declare a German state at the territory of Bačka, Banat and eastern Syrmia all the way to Belgrade. That German state was supposed to be connected with a corridor that would go partly around the Danube river to the territory of III. Reich, that is, to the Slovenian Prekomurje, which was then part of III. Reich.

After the proclamation of the Independent State of Croatia April 10, 1941 this plans didn´t stop and the Volksdeutsche planed the proclamation of that state at the birthday of Adolf Hitler
April 20, 1941. They had prepared 3 stamps with overprints on hungarian stamps, but the III. Reich didn´t support this plans, because they don´t want to have problems with the new state, the Independent State of Croatia and also not with Hungary.

The Hungarians were afraid of a possible realisation of such a exteritorial german territory and annexed first the Bačka at the April 11, 1941 and some days later Međimurije of the Independent State of Croatia at the April 16, 1941 so that a corridor between a possible "Prince Eugen Gau" and the III. Reich couldn´t be realized without a war between the Allies Hungary and the III. Reich.

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

 

HOS :

On April 10, 1993, the Croatian Defense Forces (Hrvatske Obrambene Snage = HOS) issued set of 16 stamps.

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

 

OZAK :

The "Operation Zone Adriatisches Küstenland" ("Operations Zone Adriatisches Küstenland" or "OZAK") existed from September 10, 1943, and consisted of the Croatian and Slovenian territories occupied by the Kingdom of Italy, as well as the territories in northern Italy, which from October 8, 1943 fell under the control of the German III. Reich, which had the meaning as an operational zone of the German Wehrmacht, means exclusively military.

After the capitulation of Italy on September 8, 1943, the Great County of Raša were established by the Independent State of Croatia from the Croatian areas of Istria, the Kvarer Islands, the city of Rijeka, which was donated to the Kingdom of Italy by Serbian Minister Pasić of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia under the Treaty of Rapala in 1920, the city of Trieste and the present-day Slovenian coast.

The Independent State of Croatia could only formally establish the Great County of Raša, because since the capitulation of Italy on the territory that the Kingdom of Italy got from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia the III. Reich took control since October 1, 1943 over the entire Istrian peninsula, the cities of Rijeka, Sušak, Bakar, Kastav, Čabra and the island of Krk. Those Croatian territories were included in the "Operational Zone of the Adriatic Coast" ("OZAK") together with the Italian provinces of Friuli, Trieste and Gorica, and until the capitulation of Italy to the occupied Slovenian province of Ljubljana from the Italians.

From some German activities, such as the ban of the teaching of the Italian language in schools and the introduction of the Croatian language, it can be concluded that the III. Reich planned the reintegration of the "Operational Zone of the Adriatic Coast" into the Velika župa Raša (Great County of Raša) of the Independent State of Croatia.

The course of the war prevented that return, as well as the return of Sandžak and the Bay of  Kotor from the III. Reich (which controled both areas) to the Independent State of Croatia.

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

 

Prince Eugen Division :

The Volksdeutsche from the Independent State of Croatia issued overprints on German stamps of the “Day of Wehmacht” in 1943 and 1944, which was given to the new members of the division "Prince Eugen".

[ READ MORE ] [ BUY HERE ]

 

Other stamp-series :

The emigration of the Independent State of Croatia has issues also in the year 1999 stamp series of Pope John Paul II.

In 2024 four Independent State of Croatia / Ukraine stamp-series were isued :
Slava Ukraini / Putler

In 2024 the Independent State of Croatia issued seven stamp-series :
- 2 stamp-series of landscapes of the Independent State of Croatia.
- 2 stamp-series with croatian food-motives.
- 3 stamp-series with croatian football fans

Other stamp series :

-
Beware of Yugoslavs
- Communist bandit Josip Broz Tito
- Croatian coat of arms.
- Erich von Däniken
- Fazlagića kula
- History of the Croats
- King and Queen of the Independent State of Croatia
-
Mother
- Sandžak 2024 in two sizes.
- Ustasha
- Zvonimir Boban

 

 

Official stamps of the Independent State of Croatia 1941 - 1945 :

Read more about the issues from the years : [ 1941 ] [ 1942 ] [ 1943 ] [ 1944 ] [ 1945 ].

Shop | Philately | Sandžak | Division | Gau | Dubrava | Raša | OZAK | Handžar | HOS | Cover | Imprint | Data | Service | Withdrawal | Postage |
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