Dominican Republic - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Dominican Republic, a nation occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola (the other one-third is Haiti) located in the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean has a total land area of 18,704 square miles and a population of over 10 million. The Dominican Republic has the second largest economy in the Caribbean and Central American region. Tourism, sugar, tobacco and textiles are the major industries. Music and sport are very important to their culture.

Travel Resources:

With more than 1000 miles of beach, four mountains, and year-round golf courses at the disposal of a visitor Dominican Republic is Caribbean's largest tourist destination. November through May is considered tourist friendly. Many all-inclusive hotels abound in the area. Bayahibe is the national park and Santa Domingo, the capital takes on various hues from exciting to sophisticated.


ResourceISBN or ASINBest PriceDescription
Moon Dominican Republic978-1598802535$13An introductory section that includes a variety of tour options for specific interests is followed by region-wise coverage including Santo Domingo, The Caribbean Coast, The Southeast, La Peninsula de Samana, La Costa Ambar, El Cibao, and The Southwest. The final three sections elaborates on background and essential information for travelers and a resource section with a Spanish phrasebook.
Laminated Dominican Republic Map by Borch978-3866093744$111:600,000 scale. Includes inset map of Puerto Plata and Region, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Santo Domingo and Region, Santo Domingo, and Colonial Santo Domingo.
Dominican Republic Grounded Adapter Plug – GUAB001FDC93M$8


Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Dominican Republic were a set of four stamps released in 1865 in the Coat of Arms theme. Each stamp in the set (Scott #1 to #4) catalog in the range from $600 to $1700 MNH and $600 to $1100 for used. Early stamps of Dominican Republic have a number of varieties due to the crude printing methods used. A number of similar issues in the Coat of Arms theme continued throughout the nineteenth century. Many of these stamps fetch a premium while the others are common and can be had for a few dollars. Surcharged varieties from 1888 fetch more of a premium especially the error varieties (inverted surcharge, error overprints). Dominican Republic released a long set of eleven stamps on February 27, 1899 showing local history. The main purpose of the issue was to raise funds for a Columbus Mausoleum. The set (Scott #100 to #110A) catalogs for around $90 MNH and $75 used. The designs show Voyage of Diego Mendez from Jamaica, Enriquillo’s Revolt, Sarcophagus of Columbus, “Espanola” Guarding Remains of Columbus, Toscanelli Replying to Columbus, Bartolome de las Casas Defending Indians, Columbus at Salamanca, and Columbus Mausoleum. Christopher Columbus arrived on Hispaniola on December 5, 1492 during his first voyage to America and his brother built the city of Santo Domingo (Capital City), the European permanent settlement in the New World. Enriquillo revolted against the Spaniards between 1519 and 1533. Diego Mendez is the brave Spaniard who paddled a canoe to Hispaniola to get help for Columbus and his men who were stranded in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica for over a year in 1503.

Dominican Republic issued a long set of twenty four stamps between 1901 and 1906 in the Coat of Arms theme. The set (Scott #120 to #143) catalogs for around $300 MNH and a little less for used. The 1p black and grey from 1905 (Scott #142) is the most valuable stamp in the set cataloging at $175 MNH and $200 for used. The Coat of Arms theme along with a few other issues dominated the Dominican stamp issues during the period till 1930. On February 27, 1933, Dominican Republic issued a set of eleven stamps to commemorate Fernando Arturo de Merino. The set (Scott #266 to #276) catalogs for around $50 MNH and $25 used. The designs show a portrait of Fernando Arturo de Merino as President, Cathedral of Santo Domingo, Tomb or Merino, and portrait as Archbishop. He was president of the Dominican Republic from September 1, 1880 to September 1, 1882 and later was made an archbishop.

Other issues of Dominican Republic enjoying good philatelic interest include:
  1. A set of three stamps released on August 14, 1937 to mark the first National Olympic Games. The set (Scott #326 to #328) catalogs for around $40 MNH and $5 used. The design shows a discus thrower and flag.
  2. A set of five stamps released in 1961 depicting the Trujillo Memorial. The set (Scott #548 to #552) is inexpensive and catalogs for around a dollar MNH or used. General Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina was the tyrant who ruled Dominican Republic during the period from 1930 till his assassination on May 30, 1961.
  3. A set of four stamps released on October 3, 1984 in the Protection of Fauna theme. The set (Scott #912 to #914) catalogs for around $15 MNH and $2 Used. The designs show owl, flamingo, wild pig, and solendodon (a venomous, nocturnal, burrowing, insectivorous mammal).
  4. A stamp released on December 18, 1985 in the ‘Mirabel Sisters, Political Martyrs’ theme. The stamp (Scott #958) is very inexpensive cataloging for less than a dollar. This is however an important issue: November 25th (anniversary of the murder of Mirabel sisters) is designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women by the United Nations General Assembly in commemoration of the sisters. Mirabel sisters were 4 women who were involved in the anti-Trujillo movement termed ‘the movement of the 14th of June’. Three of the sisters were murdered on November 25, 1960 on their way back from visiting their husbands, who were incarcerated.
  5. A set of four stamps released on June 21, 1995 in the Tourism theme. The set (Scott #1191 to #1194) catalogs for around $20 MNH and $3 used. The designs show San Souci Port, Barahona Airport, Luperon Airport, and Airport of the Americas. The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s largest tourist destination and the single biggest revenue earner for the country. Beaches, wilderness, and year-round golfing are major attractions. The set showcases investments made to develop the tourism sector in the 1990s. The country has vastly benefited from these investments as tourism sector along with Free Trade Zone earnings are the fastest-growing export sectors.
Numismatic Profile:

The first issue of the Dominican Republic is an undated Copper Real issued around 1810 showing a crowned F.7 on Obverse and a fraction and letter arrangement in Reverse. The issue catalogs for around $65 in VF. This was followed by a Silver version with a crude but somewhat similar design in Obverse and Crowned Arms in Reverse. That coin is more expensive and catalogs well into the 100s for VF. Republican Era coinage started in 1844 with the introduction of Bronze Reals. The issue has high mintage and catalogs for around $40 in XF.

Numismatic items of Dominican Republic include:


ItemPrice RangeDescription
Coins$2 and upCommon Centavos from the 1990s start around $2. Silver coins from the 19th century in VF start around $15. Commemorative Silver Proofs start around $30. Gold and Silver Proofs go into the $100 range.
Paper Money$2 and upRecent Banknotes and polymer varieties in UNC start around $2. Recent Specimens, Low Numbers etc start around $10. Specimens of high values start around $30. Matched number specimen sets go into the 100s.


Collectible Memorabilia:


ResourcePrice RangeDescription
Curios, Minerals and Rocks$10 and upCigar boxes and Larimar pendants start around $10. Rock sculptures start around $50, Amber with fossils and inclusions start around $100.



Last Updated: 12/2015.

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