Travel Resources:
August and September are the best time to visit this island. Beautiful churches, lighthouses, other sites of historical and cultural importance, and numerous hiking/biking trails along with a variety of feathered friends entertain the tourists. Wild horses, seals, whales and other marine life can also be observed here. The cuisine is distinctly French with the French Air Force flying in their requirements in cheese, wine, lettuce and endives. French wines are definitely the best souvenir from these islands.
Philatelic Profile:
The first stamps of St. Pierre & Miquelon were a set of three stamps released in 1885 that were Handstamp Surcharge on Stamps of French Colonies.
The set (Scott #1 to #3) catalogs for around $145 mint and around $85 used. 
Another set of four handstamp surcharges followed in 1885. That set (Scott #4 to #8)
catalogs for around $13K mint and around $4K used. The #7 is extremely
rare and accounts for most of the value of the set. The handstamp
surcharge overprints continued until 1891 when they were replaced by
Stamps of French Colonies with ‘St. Pierre’ overprints. Those stamps are
also very valuable cataloging from the few 10s to a few 100s of dollars
range individually. St. Pierre & Miquelon released a long set of
nineteen stamps between 1892 and 1908 which were key types of the
ubiquitous Navigation and Commerce theme. The set (Scott #60 to #78)
catalogs for around $300 mint and around $210 used. St. Pierre and
Miquelon came under the French in 1814. It became an overseas territory
in 1946 and currently it is an overseas collectivity of France. 
St.
Pierre & Miquelon released a long set of thirty two stamps between
1909 and 1930 in the Fishing Industry theme. The set (Scott #79 to #109)
catalogs for around $100 mint and around $90 used. The designs show
fisherman, fulmar petrel, and fishing schooner. The Island depended on
cod fishery for the last four centuries. The Grand Banks of
Newfoundland, a group of underwater plateaus Southeast of Newfoundland
was one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. Canada has imposed a
long-term closure of this industry due to overfishing. Currently,
efforts are underway to develop tourism and fish farming to diversify
the economy. Other issues of St. Pierre & Miquelon enjoying good philatelic interest include:
A long set of twenty stamps released in 1941 that were ‘Noel 1941 France Libre F.N.F.L’
overprints on stamps issued between 1938 and 1940. Genuine copies of
the set are rare and valuable cataloging in the $2K range for mint or
used. Excellent counterfeits are known to exist. Several other
overprints were also issued and genuine copies of them are valuable.
Remainders were sold at a premium by the Free French Agency of Canada. 
A set of four stamps released in 1970 showing domestic animals. The set (Scott #404 to #407)
catalogs for around $60 MNH and around $20 used. The designs show ewe
and lamb, animal quarantine station, Charolais bull, and refrigeration
ship slaughterhouse. 
A set of eight stamps released on April 17, 1991 showing Scenic Views. The set (Scott #561 to #568)
catalogs for around $8 MNH and a little less for used. The set is also
available as two strips of fours and that has similar valuation. The
designs show Saint Pierre, Lle Aux Marins, Langlade, and Miquelon.
Numismatic Profile:
The first coins of St. Pierre & Miquelon were French Territory Standard Coinage (100 Centimes = 1 Franc) Aluminum Francs issued in 1948. Pieforts and Essais were also released in the same year. No coins have since been issued and the local people use both French and Canadian currency for trade.
Collectible Memorabilia:
Last Updated: 12/2015.
The first coins of St. Pierre & Miquelon were French Territory Standard Coinage (100 Centimes = 1 Franc) Aluminum Francs issued in 1948. Pieforts and Essais were also released in the same year. No coins have since been issued and the local people use both French and Canadian currency for trade.
Collectible Memorabilia:
| Resource | Price Range | Description |
| Miscellaneous Collectibles | $3 and up | Vintage Postcards start around $2. Ship Souvenir Collector Spoons start around $10. |
Last Updated: 12/2015.
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