Iceland — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Íslandspóstur (Iceland Post) is Iceland’s national postal operator. Iceland was a Danish dependency from 1380 and issued its first stamps in 1873 while still under Danish rule. Following home rule (1874) and sovereignty (1918), Iceland issued its own distinctive stamps before declaring full independence as a republic in 1944. Icelandic stamps are noted for their breathtaking natural landscape photography — geysers, glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, and the Northern Lights feature prominently — and reflect one of the world’s most distinctive natural environments.

Notable Stamp Issues

Iceland’s 1873 first stamps depicted the numeral and crown, typical of Scandinavian postal practice of the era. The 1882 Kings and numerals issues followed. Post-republic stamps from 1944 established a distinctly Icelandic visual identity. The 1956 geysir series and 1960s landscape definitives are admired. Iceland’s 1981 EUROPA stamp depicting Geysir is a classic. Puffin stamps are among the most popular Icelandic wildlife issues. Stamps commemorating the 1973 Heimaey eruption and 1963 Surtsey volcanic island emergence are historically unique.

Collecting Tips

Iceland is covered in the Facit Scandinavian catalogue and in Michel. Classic Icelandic stamps from the Danish period (1873–1944) are relatively undervalued. The Surtsey stamps — commemorating the birth of a new volcanic island — are unique in world philately. Icelandic puffin, arctic fox, and gyrfalcon stamps are popular with wildlife thematic collectors. Northern Lights and Midnight Sun themes attract nature thematic collectors. Iceland’s small annual stamp programme makes complete collections achievable.

Part of the Europe Postal Directory.