Pitcairn Islands - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Pitcairn Islands, a group of four volcanic islands in the Southern Pacific Ocean has a total land are of 18 square miles and a population of around 50. With a population of fifty, Pitcairn is the least populated area in the world. Some of the plant species found on the island are close to extinction. Its fertile soil allows farming of a wide variety of fruit trees and vegetables. A variety of fish is available in its waters. Sale of coins, postage stamps, and handicrafts were the major sources of economy. Recently apiculture, introduced recently, has enjoyed good success. It is not practical to land a set vacation in Pitcairn as getting there and leaving there on time is purely a matter of luck. Planes are not an option.

Travel Resources: 

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Lonely Planet South Pacific	978-1741047868	$19	Pitcairn Island is covered in ten pages of this 700-page book.

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Pitcairn Islands were a set of ten stamps released between 1940 and 1951 showing local scenes. The set (Scott #1 to #8) is sought after and catalogs for around $50 MNH and around $30 used. The designs show King George VI (KGVI) along with a cluster of oranges, Fletcher Christian with Crew and View of Pitcairn Island, John Adams and His House, William Bligh and H.M. Armed Vessel Bounty, Map of Pitcairn and Pacific Ocean, Bounty Bible, Pitcairn School, Fletcher Christian and View of Pitcairn Island, and Fletcher Christian with Crew and Coast of Pitcairn. Postal affairs of Pitcairn Islands are administered by New Zealand. The first set was followed by several common design types during the period till 1957. Pitcairn islands are the last remaining British Overseas Territory in the Pacific. A major source of revenue for the Islands is the sale of postage stamps and coins to collectors.

Pitcairn Islands issued a set of eleven stamps on July 2, 1957 depicting Queen Elizabeth II (QE II) and local scenes. The set (Scott #20 to #30) catalogs for around $60 MNH and around $35 used. The designs show ti plant, map, John Adams and Bounty Bible, handicraft, Bounty Bay, school, Fiji-Pitcairn connection by map, inland scene, handicraft ship model, wheelbarrow, and whaleboat.

Other issues of Pitcairn Islands enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of thirteen stamps released between 1964 and 1965 showing QE II and Marine designs. The set (Scott #39 to #51) catalogs for around $25 MNH and around half that for used. The designs show Pitcairn Longboat, H.M. Armed Vessel Bountry, oarsmen rowing longboat, great frigate bird, fairy tern, Pitcairn reed warbler, red-footed booby, red-tailed tropic birds, Henderson Island flightless rail, Henderson Island lory, Murphy’s petrel, and Henderson Island fruit pigeon. The set was reissued with a gold rectangle and anchor overprint on July 10, 1967. That set (Scott #72 to #84) catalogs for around $18 MNH and around $12 for used.
2. A set of four stamps released on June 17, 1991 in the Cruise Ships theme. The set (Scott #350 to #353) catalogs for around $12 MNH or used. The designs show Europa, Royal Viking Star, World Discoverer, and Sagafjord.
3. A set of twelve stamps released on March 8, 1995 in the Birds theme. The set (Scott #415 to #426) catalogs for around $20 MNH or used. The designs show fairy tern, red-tailed tropicbird chick, Henderson rail, red-footed booby, blue-gray noddy, Henderson reed warbler, common noddy, masked booby, chick, Henderson fruit dove, Murphy’s petrel, christmas shearwater, and red-tailed tropicbird juvenile.
4. A set of six stamps released on February 10, 2005 showing views of the uninhabited Ducie and Oeno Islands. The set (Scott #609 to #614) catalogs for around $10 MNH or used. The designs show beach, Ducie Island, and lizards, rocks off Ducie Island and starfish, sun on horizon, Ducie Island, and birds, boat off Oeno Island and palm tree, beach and palm trees, Oeno Island, and shells, and boat with fishermen off Oeno Island, and fish.

Numismatic Profile:

Pitcairn Islands uses the currency on New Zealand but has issued a number of commemorative coins including gold coins since 1988 for the numismatic market. The first issue was a large Silver 50 Dollars Proof released in 1988 showing Crowned Bust in Obverse and Sailing Ship in Reverse. The issue has low mintage (10K) and catalogs for a slight premium over bullion value.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Wooden carvings, dried fruits and honey are the prized souvenirs of the place.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Miscellaneous Collectibles	$2 and up	Postcards start around $2.

Last Updated: 12/2015.