IRAQ AND KURDISTAN ILLEGAL STAMPS
2000-2003

Information and Reference of illegal stamps for Iraq and Kurdistan according to U.P.U. Circulars 2004 No. 71 and 2013 No. 61

On March 1, 2004 the postal administration for Iraq by request to K.J.S. McKeown (Director of Markets) posted to the Universal Postal Union a circular warning of the discovery of a number of illegal overprints on older Irag stamps that are on the market. The circular is number 71. You can view it in the linked file below:

UPU Circular Number 71

On May 6, 2013 the postal administration for Iraq by request to K.J.S. McKeown (Director of Markets Development) posted to the Universal Postal Union a circular warning of the discovery of a large number of illegal stamps inscribed Kurdistan that are on the market. The circular is number 61. You can view it in the linked file below:

UPU Circular Number 61

For more background on the history and status of Kurdistan stamps, please visit the introduction page.

2000

In 2000 Kurdistan continued to produce stamps. In 2000 several large sets were produced. At present times (2022) very few of these stamps dating 2000 are being offered on the online venues. Only a few of the single stamps are being offered showing again that there is no demand for them. Some sellers offering them for pennies and others asking extraordinary high prices for some. A recent offer on eBay for the 2000 personalities set at around $90.00 starting bid did not get any bids several times. None of the 2000 "issues" have any reference to what month or day they were placed on the market.

Kurdistan 2000 Butterflies and Bees Stamp Set



Kurdistan 2000 Farming and Agriculture Stamp Set

I do not know if this is the complete set. None have been recently offered or sold on the main stamp selling venues. It is possible this is actually two different sets.



Kurdistan 2000 Headdresses Stamp Set

Again, I do not know if this is the complete set. Only a couple singles from the set have been recently offered or sold on the main stamp selling venues.



Kurdistan 2000 Technology Stamp Set



Kurdistan 2000 Personalities Stamp Set



A postcard was produced which depicts images of past stamps that were produced.

Kurdistan 2000 Past Issues Postcard



Another postcard on thinner paper was produced using only blue, black, and brown colors.

Kurdistan 2000 Past Issues Postcard Blue Color

2001

In 2001 it appears that Kurdistan produced only one large set of stamps for the year.

Kurdistan 2001 Definitives Scenes Stamp Set

2002
Iraq Illegal "IRAQ IN COALITION OCCUPATION" Overprints

In 2002 (supposedly) a set of illegal stamps is produced by an unknown producer. The producer placed overprints on them inscribed "IRAQ IN COALITION OCCUPATION". I theorize the counterfeit stamps were actually made in 2003 due to the coalition not being formed and lead in the invasion of Iraq until 2003. This set was not shown in circular 71. The UPU circular 71 shows genuine Iraq stamp issues overprinted in various forms with the same worded inscriptions. This presents strong evidence that the one who made the counterfeit stamps with the overprints was also the one who illegally overprinted the genuine Iraq stamps. The following are the only known illegal stamps made in the name of Iraq.

Iraq 2002 Counterfeit Illegal Stamps sheet with IRAQ IN COALITION OCCUPATION Fake Overprints



Iraq 2002 Counterfeit Illegal Stamps with IRAQ IN COALITION OCCUPATION Fake Overprints



Iraq 2002 Genuine Stamps with IRAQ IN COALITION OCCUPATION Illegal Overprints Described in UPU Circular 71

2003

In 2002 and 2003 numerous stamps were produced by Kurdistan. No definition of specific sets was given. The following three sets are "made up" according to their topics. Defining which were made in 2002 is impossible. These illegal stamps are being sold individually and most at present time (2022) are not offered.

Kurdistan 2003 Definitives People and Scenes Stamp Set Number 1



Kurdistan 2003 Definitives People and Scenes Stamp Set Number 2



Kurdistan 2003 Definitives People and Scenes Stamp Set Number 3



These were also produced. Not considered in any "set".

Kurdistan 2003 Definitives Eagle, Horse and People Stamps



In 2005 Kurdistan reproduces a set and the British illegal stamp producer attacks with a massive production of counterfeits in the name of Kurdistan!

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References taken from:
U.P.U. Circular No. 61 and Circular No. 71
Major Stamp Catalogs
Internet Research

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