Alderney - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Alderney, a British Crown Dependency located in the English Channel as the most northerly of the Islands has a total land area of 3 square miles and a population of around 2400. It is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and like other Channel Islands, features cliffs along with sandy beaches and dunes. The islands, surrounded by other islands with rich fauna, have temperate climate that is usually warmer than other British Isles. The namesake breed of cattle became extinct in 1944 and a native species is the blonde hedgehog. The islands economy largely depends on tourism and finance industries.

Travel Resources:

It is a popular spot for those seeking a secluded location. The best times to visit Alderney are January, June and November. The Alderney Museum, the two-mile scenic historic railroad stretch, and St. Anne’s Church are worthy of attention. Golf, fishing, and other water sports are popular in the Island.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm Landmark Visitor Guide	978-1843064909	$15	2010 Edition.
Insight Guide Channel Islands	978-0887294570	$10	Good introduction and history of the Channel Islands with Alderney specific coverage limited to a few pages. Essays by local experts and full-color maps and photos. 2000 Edition.
Alderney At War by Brian Bonnard	978-0752452159	$20	An account of Alderney’s World War II history when it became and island fortress and slave labour camp.
Alderney from Old Photographs by Brian Bonnard	978-1848683600	$20	Over 200 b&w images offer a glimpse of life on the island in the last hundred years.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society	978-0385341004	$10	Set in Channel Islands (Guernsey) and London immediately after World War II, the book explores the tragic stories of life under Nazi occupation in a lighthearted way.
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm Visitor’s Map	978-1553415961	$13	1:12,500 Scale suitable for cycling and hiking. Includes insets of Alderney and legends noting attractions and useful insight for visitors.
All-in-One Travel Power Plug Adapter for US, UK, EU, AU	B000YN01X4	$4	US-style power plugs to fit a variety of other outlet styles. Surge protection and power indicator.

Philatelic Profile:

Before 1983, stamps of the Bailiwick of Guernsey were used in Alderney. The first stamps of Alderney were a set of twelve stamps released on June 14, 1983. The set (Scott #1 to #12) catalogs for around $5 MNH or Used. The designs show Map of Alderney and Arms, Hanging Rock, States Building, Saint Anne’s Church, Yachts at Braye Bay, Saint Victoria & Saint Anne, Map & Arms, Fort Clonque, Corblets Bay Port, Old Tower at Saint Anne, Essex Castle Golf Course, and Ships in Old Harbor. The Channel Islands were the only part of Great Britain occupied by the Germans during World War II. Alderney had four concentration camps during the period.

Other stamps of Alderney enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of five stamps released on March 19, 1985 in the Aircraft theme to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Alderney Airport. The set (Scott #18 to #22) catalogs for around $20 MNH and $15 Used. The designs show Wessex helicopter of the Queen’s Flight of 1984, Aurigny Air Joey Britten-Norman Trislander of 1981, Morton Air Services DeHavilland Heron of 1946, DeHavilland Dragon Rapide of 1930, and Saunders-Roe Saro Windhover of 1935. The airport is partly responsible for transforming the economy from agriculture to tourism and finance industries.
2. A set of eight stamps released on November 20, 1997 in the Garrison Island theme. The set (Scott #106 to #113) catalogs for around $6 MNH or Used. The designs show Founding of the Harbor, Ariadne at Anchor, Quarrying at Mannez, Earliest Train Ferrying Stone, Queen Victoria Arriving Ashore, Royal Yacht at Anchor, Railway and Quarry Workers Greeting the Queen, and Queen Victoria Touring the Island. A few sister sets (Scott #119 to #126, #134 to #141, #155 to #162, and #176 to #183) followed in the next few years and all of them are valued in similar ranges.
3. A set of six stamps released on January 29, 2004 in the Fungi theme. The set (Scott #221 to #226) catalogs for around $9 MNH or Used. The designs show Sulphur Tuft, Orange Peel Fungus, Shining Ink-cap, Giant Puffball, Parasol, and Candle Snuff Fungus. Several sets (Birds – Scott #13 to #17, Maine Life – Scott# 69a-d, Flora & Fauna – Scott #70 to #87, Domestic Cats – Scott #92 to #97, and Birds – Scott #185 to #190) showing Flora and Fauna of Alderney were released over the years and all of them sport similar valuation. 

Numismatic Profile:

Alderney started issuing coins in 1989. All issues are commemorative and collector coins with none in circulation. The issues tend to have low mintage, especially the gold proofs and sets. Other numismatic items of Alderney include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Gold Proofs	$100 and up	Several proofs have been released over the years and they fetch a slight premium over bullion value.
Other Coins	$10 and up	UNC coins and proofs start around $10 and can go into the $100 range for popular and low mintage designs. The stunning 2006 QE 80th birthday design is especially popular.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Dairy related memorabilia from Alderney are the most popular and close behind is art depicting local historical scenes and World War II Nazi occupation.
Chris Andrews Alderney - this little souvenir book is perfect for reliving the vacation in Alderney.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Dairy Bottles and Containers	$10 and up	Several varieties from old establishments that include both glass & ceramic ones.
Art	$10 and up	Late 19th century and early 20th century photographic images and other Nazi occupation related prints.

Last Updated: 12/2015.