Seychelles - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Seychelles, an Island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, around 932 miles east of mainland Africa has a total land area of 174 square miles and a population of 84,000. Seychelles is one of the few countries with equable climate (although humidity is high). Tourism is the major contributor to its economy supported by agriculture and fishing. Fish, copra, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt are the chief exports. The country is trying to diversify its economy into manufacturing and as an offshore financial center. Sustainable tourism is its niche and its intact natural environment has placed it among the world’s  preferred tourism destinations. Foreign investment is sought for upgrading its facilities.

Travel Resources: 

April/May and October/November are the best time to visit Seychelles. The main activities are diving, fishing, snorkeling, sailing, surfing, bird watching and hiking. The country is lauded for its contribution in protecting its flora and fauna. Several unique orchids, the marine life, the Aldabra And Seychelles giant tortoises, and the large seabird colonies are a testimony to this effort.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Seychelles Bradt Travel Guide	978-1841622590	$17	Best Travel Guide to Seychelles. Great traveler’s introduction covering the first 70 pages followed by chapters on Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Other Inner Islands, Outer Coralline Islands, and the Aldabra Group.
Seychelles Map by Borch	978-3866091238	$11	Laminated. 1:50,000 Scale.
Seychelles Grounded Adapter Plug Kit – GUD and GUF	B0016ZS3AC	$14

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Seychelles were a set of twenty-one Queen Victoria (QV) key types released between 1890 and 1900. The set (Scott #1 to #21) catalogs for around $450 mint and around $420 used. Surcharge overprints on this first set formed the primary stamp issues of Seychelles during the period till 1902. Certain varieties of the overprints along with surcharge errors including double and triple surcharges are among the most valuable stamps from the period cataloging upwards of $1K. Seychelles released a set of eleven stamps on May 26, 1903 that were King Edward VII (KEVII) key types. The set (Scott #38 to #48) catalogs for around $130 mint and around $250 used. Surcharge overprints on the KEVII key types continued through the period till 1912 when the first King George V (KGV) key types appeared. The set (Scott #63 to #73) is also sought after cataloging in the $100 range for mint and around $70 for used. A slightly different design of the KGV key type along with several common design types formed the stamp issues of Seychelles during the period till 1938. Great Britain assumed full control of the area following the Treaty of Paris in 1814 from France. It became a crown colony in 1903. The country gained full independence from the United Kingdom on June 29, 1977.

Other issues of Seychelles enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A long set of twenty four stamps released between 1938 and 1941 showing King George VI (KGVI) and local scenes. The set (Scott #125 to #148) catalogs for around $525 MNH and around $160 used. The designs show KGVI along with Coco-de-mer Palm, Seychelles giant tortoise, and fishing canoe in different colors and denominations. The Seychelles giant tortoise populates many islands of the Seychelles and is the largest in the world.
2. A long set of twenty stamps released between 1962 and 1969 showing Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) and local scenes. The set (Scott #198 to #212) catalogs for around $45 MNH and around $40 used. The designs show black parrot, vanilla, fisherman, Dennis Island lighthouse, clock tower, Victoria, Anse Royal Bay, Government House, fishing boat, Cascade Church, flying fox, sailfish, Coco-de-mer Palm, cinnamon, copra, Map of Indian Ocean, Settler’s Homes, Regina Mundi Convent, and Badge of Seychelles.
3. A set of eighteen stamps released between 1969 and 1972 in the History of Seychelles theme. The set (Scott #257 to #271) catalogs for around $30 MNH and around $40 used. The designs show Lazar Picault Landing in 1741, US Satellite Tracking Station, German Cruiser Konigsberg at Aldabra in 1915, British fleet refueling in St. Anne, Ashanti King Prempeh in Exile 1896, Stone of Possession Placed 1756, Pirates, Corsairs, Jet and Airport, First Capitulation of the French to the British of 1794, Battle between the sailing vessels Sybille and Chiffone in 1801, Visit of Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, Chevalier Queau de Quincy, Map of Indian Ocean, and Seychelles Coat of Arms.
4. A set of four stamps released on April 22, 1988 in the Green Turtles theme. The set (Scott #638 to #641) catalogs for around $10 MNH or used. The designs show newly hatched turtles headed toward ocean, offspring hatching, female emerging from ocean, and female laying eggs in sand. The green turtles (Hawksbill) nest in the Cousine Island in Seychelles and its status has been legally protected in the islands from 1994. Other inner islands are feeding grounds for immature green turtles.
5. A set of fourteen stamps released on March 1, 1993 in the Flora and Fauna theme. The set (Scott #739 to #752) catalogs for around $45 MNH or used. The designs show brush warbler, bronze gecko, Seychelles tree frog, Seychelles splendid palm, Seychelles skink, giant tenebrionid beetle, Seychelles sunbird, Seychelles killifish, magpie robin, Seychelles vanilla, tiger chamaleon, Coco-de-mer, paradise flycatcher, and giant tortoise. Seychelles have about 100 endemic plant species. Seychelles also has some of the largest seabird colonies in the world. Marine life is also abundant with over 1000 species of fish recorded in the remote coral islands.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins of Seychelles were British Crown Colony Standard Coinage (100 Cents = 1 Rupee) Silver Cents issued in 1939. The issues had mintage well into the 10,000s but still catalogs for over $100 in UNC. The first gold coins were 0.9994 troy ounce 20 Rupees Commemorative Gold Proofs issued in 1983 to mark the fifth anniversary of Central Bank. The issue has very low mintage (50) and trades at a sizable premium over bullion value. The design shows arms with supporters in Obverse and Turtle and Symbols of Commerce in Reverse. Seychelles has issued a number of commemorative proofs over the years for the numismatic market.

Numismatic items of Seychelles include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$1 and up	Recent UNC Cents starts around $1. Early commemorative proofs starts around $10. Commemorative silver proofs starts around $30. Low mintage silver proofs, Mint Boxed Year Sets, etc start around $50 and go well into the 100s.
Paper Money	$2 and up	UNC Banknotes from the 1970s onward starts around $2. High Values, Recent Replacement UNCs, etc start around $10. ZZ Replacements, Bundles, Rare Dates, etc start around $50 and go well into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Resource	Price Range	Description
Art	$5 and up	Art Poster Prints start around $5. Original Works by Lonna Hastings, Andrea Del Missier etc go into the 100s.
Miscellaneous Collectibles	$3 and up	Flags, Magnets, etc start around $3. Gold on Silver Coin Necklaces start around $40.

Last Updated: 12/2015.