Mozambique — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Correios de Moçambique is Mozambique’s national postal operator. Mozambique was a Portuguese colony from 1498 and began issuing stamps in 1876 (though stamps inscribed “Lourenço Marques” were used for the southern administrative area from 1895). Mozambique gained independence in June 1975 under the FRELIMO liberation movement. The colonial period produced stamps under various administrations including the Mozambique Company (1892–1942) — which ran the central region as a chartered company — and the Nyassa Company (1898–1929), which administered the north. These company stamps are sought by specialists.

Notable Stamp Issues

Mozambique’s colonial stamps (1876–1975) span a century of Portuguese administration — the Ceres definitive series and landscape pictorials are classic Portuguese colonial material. The Mozambique Company stamps (1892–1942) feature distinctive designs including giraffe, elephant, and Zambezi scenery — highly sought by chartered company philatelic collectors. The Nyassa Company stamps (1898–1929) from northern Mozambique are equally prized. Post-independence stamps from 1975 depicted the FRELIMO flag, Mozambican traditional culture, and natural heritage. Modern stamps feature Gorongosa National Park wildlife and Indian Ocean marine life.

Collecting Tips

Afinsa catalogue covers Portuguese Mozambique. Scott Africa covers the independent republic. The Mozambique Company stamps are among Africa’s most sought chartered company issues — giraffe and wildlife designs from the early 20th century are beautiful. Nyassa Company stamps from northern Mozambique are a related specialist area. Post-independence Mozambique stamps reflect the Cold War-era socialist republic’s ideology before market reforms. Dugong and whale shark stamps from Mozambique’s Indian Ocean coast are popular with marine collectors.

Part of the Africa Postal Directory.