International Polar Year (IPY)
(1st: 1882-1883; 2nd: 1932-1933; 4th: 2007-2008)

IPY logo IPY logo IPY logo
Official IPY logo Preliminary IPY logo Unofficial IPY logo

Below is a checklist of International Polar Year (IPY) postal items (stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.). Catalog numbers, years of issue, and notes on the items featured are given when available. If readers know of additional information or images, please contact the authors using the e-mail addresses at the bottom of this page.

See also the following related topic:

See also the following Contributors to Meteorology involved with IPY:


CountryCatalog Number*Type of Item**Year of IssueNotes on Content
4th IPY (2007 - 2008)
Antigua and BarbudaUnknown (new issue)In (lower-right) margin of MS42008Also IHY4
Antigua and BarbudaUnknown (new issue)In (right) margin of SS1
Argentina2441SS1 + label2007
Argentina2441 fdc1Stamp and label and cachet on FDC
Argentina2441 fdc2MS2 and cachet on FDC
AustraliaNone(Red) cachet on cover2007
AustraliaNone(Red) cachet and (IPY logo) cachet on cover2007
AustraliaNone(Rubber-stamp) cachet and (IPY logo) cachet on cover2007
AustraliaUnknown fdc (new issue)Two (IPY logo) labels and cachet on FDC2007
Australian Antarctic TerritoryKM-unknown (new issue)$1. (coin)2007
Australian Antarctic TerritoryNone(Red rubber-stamp) cachet on cover2007
Australian Antarctic TerritoryNone (IPY logo) cachet on cover2007
Australian Antarctic TerritoryKM-unknown (new issue)$5. (coin)2008
Australian Antarctic TerritoryUnknown a (new issue)From MS42008
Australian Antarctic TerritoryUnknown b (new issue)
Australian Antarctic TerritoryUnknown c (new issue)
Australian Antarctic TerritoryUnknown d (new issue)
Australian Antarctic TerritoryUnknown fdc1 (new issue)Four stamps on FDC
Australian Antarctic TerritoryUnknown fdc2 (new issue)MS4 on FDC
Australian Antarctic TerritoryUnknown pack (new issue)Souvenir pack with 4 stamps and MS4, also cover
Australian Antarctic TerritoryUnknown (new issue)MS4 overprinted
Australian Antarctic TerritoryNone (IPY logo) cachet on cover2008
Brazil3010aOne of strip of 3 (3010 (a-c))2007IPY logo
British Antarctic Territory386SS1 (with IPY logo)2007
British Antarctic Territory386 fdcFDC (with IPY logo)
British Antarctic TerritoryUnknown1 (new issue)Four stamps (one each from a MS20) with IPY logo in (surrounding) margin2007
British Antarctic TerritoryUnknown2 (new issue)Four (different) stamps (one each from a MS20) with IPY logo in (surrounding) margin
Bulgaria4464MS2 (4464 (a-b + 2 labels))2008
Bulgaria4464 blueMS2 (blue)
Bulgaria4464 brownMS2 (brown)
Bulgaria4464 fdcMS2 on FDC
Bulgaria4464a maxiMaxicard
Bulgaria4464b maxiMaxicard
Canada2204 (Mi2391)From MS2 (2205a (2204-2205)), or from MS16 (2205b (8x 2204-2205))2007
Canada2205 (Mi2392)
Canada2205a fdcMS2 on FDC, also back1
CanadaKM-unknown (new issue)$20. (coin)2007
ChileNoneCachet on cover2007
ChileNoneCachet (different) on cover2007
ChileNoneCachet (red) on cover2007
ChileNoneCachet (IPY logo) on cover (different)2007
Chile1495MS6 (1495 (a-f))2008
Chile1495a+c+e fdcThree stamps and cachet on FDC
Chile1495b+d+f fdcThree stamps and cachet on FDC
ChinaNoneCachet (IPY logo) on cover, also back2007
ChinaNoneCachet (IPY logo) on cover (different)2007
ChinaNoneCachet on cover (different)2007
Denmark1372From MS2 ( (1372-1373))2007
Denmark1373
Denmark1372-1373 fdcFDC
Denmark and United States1373a fdc + USA 4123 fdcDual FDC
DenmarkKM-unknown1 (new issue)10 kroner (coin)2007
DenmarkKM-unknown2 (new issue)100 kroner (coin)
DenmarkKM-unknown3 (new issue)1000 kroner (coin)
DenmarkKM-unknown1 (new issue)10 kroner (coin)2008
DenmarkKM-unknown2 (new issue)100 kroner (coin)
DenmarkKM-unknown3 (new issue)1000 kroner (coin)
Falkland IslandsKM-unknown1 (new issue)1 crown (coin)2007
Falkland IslandsKM-unknown2 (new issue)1 crown (coin) different
Falkland IslandsUnknown1 (new issue)2008
Falkland IslandsUnknown2 (new issue)
Falkland IslandsUnknown3 (new issue)
Falkland IslandsUnknown4 (new issue)
Finland1280aFrom MS2 (1280 (a-b)) (BL42)2007
Finland1280b
Finland1280 fdcFDC
French Southern and Antarctic Territories386 labelFrom strip of 2 (386 (a-b + label (IPY logo))), or from MS10 (386c (5x 386 (a-b)))2007
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesNoneCachet on cover2007
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesNoneCachet on cover2007
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesNoneCachet on cover2007
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesNoneCachet on cover (different)2007
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesNoneCachet on cover2007
Gambia3061In (upper-left) margin of MS62007IPY logo
Gambia3062SS1
GambiaUnknown ms6 (new issue)In (upper-right) margin of MS62008Also IHY4
GambiaUnknown ms4 (new issue)In (upper-left) margin of MS4
GambiaUnknown ss (new issue)In (upper-right) margin of SS1
GambiaUnknown ms4 (new issue)In (upper-left) margin of MS4 (different)
GambiaUnknown ss (new issue)In (right) margin of SS1 (different)
GambiaUnknown ms6 (new issue)In (lower-right) margin of MS6 (different)
GermanyNoneCancel and cachet on cover2007
GermanyNoneCancel and cachet (different) on postal card2007
GermanyNoneStamped envelope2008
GermanyNoneStamped envelope with cancel (Kiel)2008
GermanyNoneCancel (Bremerhaven)2008
GermanyNoneCachet on cover2008
Great BritainNoneCancel and (IPY logo) cachet on cover2007
Great BritainNoneCancel and (IPY logo) cachet (different) on cover2007
Great Britain (Isle of Man)1227In (upper-left) margin of MS42007IPY logo
Greenland491From MS2 (492a)2007
Greenland492
Greenland491-492 fdcTwo stamps on FDC
Greenland491 maxiMaxicard
Greenland492 maxiMaxicard
Greenland and United States492a fdc + USA 4123 fdcDual FDC
Grenada3647MS6 (3647 (a-f))2007(in small text)
Grenada3648SS1
Grenada Grenadines2684MS6 (2684 (a-f))2007(in small text)
Grenada Grenadines2685SS1
Guinea-BissauUnknown1 ms (new issue)MS4 + 2 labels2007
Guinea-BissauUnknown2 ms (new issue)MS4 + 2 labels (different)2007
Guinea-BissauUnknown3 ms (new issue)MS4 + 2 labels (different)2007
Guinea RepublicUnknown1 (new issue)SS12008
Guinea RepublicUnknown2 (new issue)SS1 (different)
Guinea RepublicUnknown3 (new issue)SS1 (different)
Guinea RepublicUnknown4 (new issue)SS1 (different)
Guinea RepublicUnknown5 (new issue)SS1 (different)
Guinea RepublicUnknown6 (new issue)SS1 (different)
Guinea RepublicUnknown7 (new issue)SS1 (different)
Guinea RepublicUnknown8 (new issue)SS1 (different)
Guinea RepublicUnknown9 (new issue)SS1 (different)
Guinea RepublicUnknown1 (new issue)MS3
Guinea RepublicUnknown2 (new issue)MS3 (different)
Guinea RepublicUnknown3 (new issue)MS3 (different)
Iceland1098aFrom MS2 (1098 (a-b))2007
Iceland1098b
Iceland1098 fdcMS2 on FDC
Iceland and United States1098 fdc + USA 4123 fdcDual FDC
ItalyNoneTwo cachets on cover2008
Liberia2513dIn (upper-left) margin of MS6 (2x (2513 (a-c)))2008Also IHY4
Liberia2514dIn (upper-left) margin of MS6 (2x (2514 (a-c)))
Liberia2515In (lower-right) margin of MS4 (a-d)
Liberia2516In (lower-right) margin of SS1
Liberia2517In (lower-right) margin of SS1
Liberia2518In (lower-right) margin of SS1
Maldive Islands2938MS6 (2938 (a-f)), with detail (IPY logo)2007(in small text)
Maldive Islands2939SS1, with detail (IPY logo)
Maldive IslandsUnknown (new issue)On stamps and in (right) margin of MS42008Also IHY4
Maldive IslandsUnknown (new issue)In (upper-right) margin of MS4 (different)
Maldive IslandsUnknown (new issue)In (lower-right) margin of MS4 (different)
Maldive IslandsUnknown (new issue)In (upper-right) margin of MS4 (different)
Maldive IslandsUnknown (new issue)In (upper-left) margin of MS6
Micronesia748MS6 (748 (a-f))2007(in small text)
Micronesia749SS1
Montserrat1200In (lower-right) margin of MS42008Also IHY4
Montserrat1200 fdcMS4 on FDC
Montserrat1201In (upper-right) margin of SS1
Montserrat1201 fdcSS1 on FDC
New ZealandUnknown (new issue)2007
New ZealandUnknown cov (new issue)Three stamps and cachet on cover2007
New ZealandKM-unknown (new issue)$1. silver (coin)2007
New ZealandKM-unknown (new issue)$1. gold (coin)
Norway1500aFrom MS2 (1500 (a-b)) (BL34)2007
Norway1500b
Norway1500 folderFolder with MS2 (1500 (a-b)) and coins (not clear if the coins are IPY related)
NorwayP-unknown3 dollar (banknote)2007
PalauUnknown (new issue)In (upper-right) margin of MS42008Also IHY4
PalauUnknown (new issue)In (upper-left) margin of MS4 (different)
PalauUnknown (new issue)In (upper-left) margin of MS6
Portugal30162008
Portugal3017
Portugal3018
Portugal3019
Portugal3020SS1
RomaniaNoneEnvelope2007
RomaniaNoneEnvelope (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet (IPY logo) on postcard (different)2007
Ross DependencyUnknown (new issue)MS2 (with IPY logo)2007
RussiaKM-unknown1 (new issue)3 roubles (coin)2007
RussiaKM-unknown2 (new issue)100 roubles (coin)
RussiaKM-unknown3 (new issue)1000 roubles (coin)
Russia7021MS3 (7021 (a-c))2007
Russia7021 fdcMS3 on FDC
Russia7021 covCachet (IPY logo) on cover
RussiaNoneCachet (IPY logo) on cover2007
RussiaNoneCachet (IPY logo) on cover (different)2007
RussiaNone(Purple) cachet (IPY logo) on cover (different)2007
RussiaNoneCancel and cachet on cover2007
RussiaNoneCancel and cachet (different) on cover2007
RussiaNoneCancel and cachet (slightly different) on cover2007
RussiaNoneCachet on cover with blue, red and black IPY logo; also purple IPY logo on back2007
RussiaUnknown ms3 (new issue)MS3 (a-c)2008
RussiaUnknown fdc (new issue)MS3 and cancel and cachet on FDC
St. Thomas and Prince IslandsUnknown ms9 (new issue)MS92006(4th) IPY logo
St. Thomas and Prince IslandsUnknown fdc1 (new issue)MS9 on FDC
St. Thomas and Prince IslandsUnknown fdc2 (new issue)MS9 on FDC (different)
St. Thomas and Prince IslandsUnknown fdc3 (new issue)MS9 on FDC (different)
St. Thomas and Prince IslandsUnknown fdc4 (new issue)Cachet on FDC
St. Thomas and Prince IslandsUnknown fdc (new issue)Cachet on FDC with (blue) cancel2006IPY logo
St. Thomas and Prince IslandsUnknown ifdc (new issue)Cachet on FDC with (red) cancel
San MarinoUnknown1 (new issue)2008
San MarinoUnknown2 (new issue)
San MarinoUnknown3 (new issue)
Serbia3742007
Serbia374 fdc1FDC
Serbia374 fdc2FDC (different)
South Africa1374MS6 (1374 (a-f))2007Also IHY4
South Africa1374 fdcMS6 and cancel and cachet on FDC
South Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsKM-unknown1 (new issue)2 pounds (coin)2007
South Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsKM-unknown2 (new issue)2 pounds (coin) different
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands3592008
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands360
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands361
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands362
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands359-362 fdcFour stamps and cancel and cachet on FDC
Spain35462008
St. Thomas and Prince IslandsUnknown ms4 (new issue)MS42007
Sweden2552aFrom MS2 (MS2 (a-b))2007
Sweden2552b
Turks and Caicos IslandsUnknown ms4 (new issue)In (upper-right) margin of MS42008Also IHY4
Turks and Caicos IslandsUnknown ss (new issue)In (lower-right) margin of SS1
TuvaluUnknown (new issue)In (lower-right) margin of MS42008Also IHY4
TuvaluUnknown (new issue)In (upper-right) margin of MS4 (different)
TuvaluUnknown (new issue)In (upper-left) margin of MS4 (different)
TuvaluUnknown (new issue)In (upper-left) margin of MS6
United States4123a (Mi4196)From MS2 (4123 (a-b))2007
United States4123b (Mi4197)
United States4123 fdc1FDC
United States4123 fdc2FDC (different)
United States4123 fdc3FDC (different)
United States4123 fdc4FDC (different)
United States4123 fdc5FDC (different)
United States4123 fdc6FDC (different)
United States4123 fdc7FDC (different)
United States4123 fdc8FDC (different)
United States4123 fdc9FDC (different)
United States4123 fdc10FDC (different)
United States4123 fdc11FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc1FDC
United States4123a fdc2FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc3FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc4FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc5FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc6FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc7FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc8FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc9FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc10FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc11FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc12FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc13FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc14FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc15FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc16FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc17FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc18FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc19FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc20FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc21FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc22FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc23FDC (different)
United States4123a fdc24FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc1FDC
United States4123b fdc2FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc3FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc4FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc5FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc6FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc7FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc8FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc9FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc10FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc11FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc12FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc13FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc14FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc15FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc16FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc17FDC (different)
United States4123b fdc18FDC (different)
United States4123a-b fdc1FDC
United States4123a-b fdc2FDC (different)
United States4123a-b fdc3FDC (different)
United States4123a-b fdc4FDC (different)
United States4123a-b fdc5FDC (different)
United States4123a-b fdc6FDC (different)
United States4123 folderFDC folder, also inside
United States4123 panel1Commemorative panel
United States4123 panel2Commemorative panel (different)
United States4123 panel3Commemorative panel (different)
United States4123 covCancel (from South Pole station) on cover
United States4123a-b fdc + 1107 fdcDual-date FDC (with IPY and IGY3 logos)2007 and 1958
United States and Denmark4123 fdc + Denmark 1373a fdcDual FDC2007
United States and Greeland4123 fdc + Greenland 492a fdcDual FDC
United States and Iceland4123 fdc + Iceland 1098a fdcDual FDC
United StatesNoneCancel (red) and (IPY logo) cachet on cover2007
United StatesNoneCancel (black) on cover2007
United StatesNoneCancel2007
United StatesNoneCancel and (IPY logo) cachet on cover2007
United StatesNoneCancel (different) and (IPY logo) cachet on cover2007
United StatesNoneCancel and cachet (different) and (IPY logo) cachet on cover2007
United StatesNoneCancel and cachet (different) on cover2007
United StatesNoneCancel and cachet (different) on cover2007
United StatesNoneCancel (red) and cachet (black) on cover2007
United StatesNoneCachet (IPY logo) on cover (different)2007
United StatesNoneStamp and cancel and cachet on cover2007IPY logo
United StatesNoneStamp and cancel and cachet on cover2007IPY logo
United States4203 (Mi4315)From pair (4204a (4203-4204)), or from MS20 (4204b (10x (4203-4204))), also back2007IPY (in text on back)
United States4204 (Mi4316)
United States4203 fdc1FDC2007IPY
United States4203 fdc2FDC (different)
United States4204 fdc1FDC
United States4204 fdc2FDC (different)
3rd IPY (1957 - 1958), better known as International Geophysical Year (IGY)
French Southern and Antarctic Territories386bFrom strip of 2 (386 (a-b + label (IPY logo))), or from MS10 (386c (5x 386 (a-b)))200750th anniv. IPY (IGY3) historical
research toward new frontiers
United StatesNoneStamp and cachet on cover20073rd IPY/IGY logo, and 50th anniv. 3rd IPY/IGY
2nd IPY (1932 - 1933)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC75 (Mi179)From strip of 3 (C75a (C73-C75))198350th anniv. 2nd IPY
Germany (East)NoneCancel and cachet on cover198350th anniv. 2nd IPY
Germany (East)NoneCancel and cachet (different) on cover198350th anniv. 2nd IPY
Germany (West)None(Black rubber-stamp) cachet on cover198350th anniv. 2nd IPY
Poland2541 (Mi2832)198250th anniv. 2nd IPY
RussiaC34 (Mi410)1932
RussiaC35 (Mi411)
RussiaC35 varYellow-green variety
RussiaNoneCachet on cover1932
RussiaNoneStamped envelope198150th anniv. 2nd IPY
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands3602008(75th anniv.) 2nd IPY
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands359-362 fdcOne stamp and cachet on FDC
United StatesNoneCachet on cover2007(75th anniv.) 2nd IPY
United StatesNoneCachet on cover2007(75th anniv.) 2nd IPY
1st IPY (1882 - 1883)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC74 (Mi178)From strip of 3 (C75a (C73-C75))1983100th anniv. 1st IPY
Germany (East)NoneCancel and cachet on cover1982100th anniv. 1st IPY, also 25th anniv. IGY3
Germany (East)NoneCachet on cover1982(100th anniv.) 1st IPY
Germany (East)NoneCancel and cachet (different) on cover1982100th anniv. 1st IPY
Germany (West)NoneCachets on cover1982100th anniv. 1st IPY, also (17th) SCAR2
Korea (South)1289 (Mi1275)1982100th anniv. 1st IPY
Monaco1358 (Mi1564)1982(100th anniv.) 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCancel and cachet on cover1982100th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard (different)2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard (different)2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard (different)2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard (different)2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard (different)2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard (different)2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard (different)2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard (different)2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard (different)2007125th anniv. 1st IPY
RussiaNoneStamped envelope1981100th anniv. 1st IPY
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands3592008(125th anniv.) 1st IPY
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands359-362 fdcOne stamp and cachet on FDC
United StatesNoneCachet on cover2007(125th anniv.) 1st IPY
United StatesNoneCachet on cover2007(125th anniv.) 1st IPY
Other non-specific IPY items
AustriaNoneCachet on cover1951IPY and Polar Research Exhibition,
28 April - 12 May 1951,
Margarethen, Germany
RomaniaNoneCachet on postcard2007Weyprecht: Initiator of the IPY Program, and IPY Symposium

*Scott catalog number, unless prefixed with Mi or BL for Michel; KM = Krause and Mishler coin catalog number.
**FDC = first day cover; SS# = souvenir sheet, MS# = miniature sheet, where # = number of stamps in sheet, and the numbers in parentheses are the catalog numbers of the stamps in the sheet.

1125th, not 150th anniv., 1st IPY as indicated on the back of this FDC.
2SCAR = Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
3IGY = International Geophysical Year
4IHY = International Heliophysical Year


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