Sudan - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Sudan, a country in Northeastern Africa bordered by Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, and the Red Sea has a total land area of 967,500 square miles and a population of around 44 million.

Travel Resources: 

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Sudan Bradt Travel Guide	978-1841622064	$18	Best Travel Guide Book for Sudan! An 80-page traveler’s introduction spanning four chapters followed by chapters on Khartoum, Khartoum to Atbara, Karima and Dongola, Dongola to Wadi Halfa, Central Sudan, East Sudan, The Red Sea, Kordofan, Darfur, and Southern Sudan.
The Lost Boys of Sudan: An American Story of the Refugee Experience by University of Georgia Press	978-0820328836	$13	The book follows the progress of four men who were part of the 3800, referred to as the Lost Boys of Sudan, resettled in the US in 2000 from civil war ravaged Sudan. It is an inspiring true story of determination and faith.
Sudan Travel Map by ITM Canada	978-1553414162	$13	1:2,500,000 Scale.
Sudan Grounded Adapter Plug Kit – GUB, GUD, and GUF	B0016ZM6KA	$21

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Sudan were a set of eight stamps released on March 1, 1897 that were ‘Soudan’ and Arabic script overprints on Egyptian stamps from the 1884 to 1893 timeframe. The set (Scott #1 to #8) catalogs for around $150 mint and around half that for used. Inverted overprints on a couple of the denominations exist and they catalog for around $275. Double overprint on #7 is also known and is the rarest cataloging as high as $4.5K. Following the defeat of the Mahdists in the Battle of Omdurman, an agreement was reached in establishing Ango-Egyptian rule in Sudan. But, in effect, it was administered as a British colony. The first original issues of Sudan were a set of eight stamps released on March 1, 1898 showing a Camel Post design. The set (Scott #9 to #16) catalogs for around $100 mint and around one-third that for used. A variety of the same set using paper with a different watermark was issued between 1902 and 1921 and that set (Scott #17 to #27) catalogs for around $100 mint and around $20 used. Varieties on the Camel Post design along with certain overprints formed the issues of Sudan during the period till 1935.

Sudan released a set of nine stamps on January 1, 1935 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the death of General Charles George Gordon. The set (Scott #51 to #59) catalogs for around $130 mint and around $180 used. The designs show a portrait of Charles George Gordon, Gordon Memorial College, and Memorial Service at Khartoum. Gordon was killed fighting the warriors of Mahdi during the revolt led by Mohammed Ahmed.

Other issues of Sudan enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A long set of seventeen stamps released on September 1, 1951 showing local scenes. The set (Scott #98 to #114) catalogs for around $75 MNH and around $20 used. The designs show nubian ibex, shoebill, giraffe, Baggara girl, Shilluk warrior, Hadendowa, Sudan policeman, cotton picking, Ambatch canoe, Nuba wrestlers, weaving, Saluka farming, gum tapping, Darfur chief, Stack Laboratory, Nile Lechwe, and Camel Post.
2. A set of three stamps released on May 25, 1970 to mark the first anniversary of the May 25th Revolution. The set (Scott #228, a-b) catalogs for around $75 MNH. The premium valuation is due to the fact that the set was withdrawn on the day of issue and only two to three thousand copies were sold. The set was replaced by another set in a slightly different design (Scott #229 to #231) on October 21, 1970. That set is very common and catalogs for around a dollar MNH and around half that for used. Gaafar Nimeiry overthrew the government of Ismail-al-Azhari and became President of the Sudan from 1969 to 1985.
3. A long set of sixteen stamps released on July 1, 1991 showing local scenes. The set (Scott #404 to #419) catalogs for around $55 MNH and around $35 used. The designs show shoebill, sunflower, gum arabic, cotton, crowned crane, Kenana Sugar Company, secretary bird, Atbara Cement Factory, King Taharqa Statue, Republican Palace, Hug Jar, Gabana Coffee Pot, Pterois Volitans, animal wealth, nubian ibex, and camel postman.
4. A set of fourteen stamps and an imperforate souvenir sheet of fourteen released on July 15, 2003 showing local scenes. The set (Scott #544 to #557 and SS) catalogs for around $60 MNH and around the same for used. The designs show mango, Nile perch, cattle, soldiers, Muhammad Ahmad, butterflyfish, Temple of Amun Ra, baobab tree, Doum palm tree, sheep, grapefruit, oil rigs, Tomb of Sheik El-Mursi, and Camel Postman. The country went through a civil war between 1983 and 2005 when a new constitution was adopted, autonomy was granted, and a referendum about independence was promised for January 2011. The Darfur conflict is another major problem in the country. Despite the serious issues, the country is one of the fastest growing in the world mainly due to the exploitation of oil wealth.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins of Sudan were Revolutionary Coinage Silver Piastres issued in 1884. The first issues are very rare with the 10 Piastres being the rarest. A 100 Piastres Gold Coin was also released in the same series and that is valued in the $3.5K range for VF+. Republic Standard Coinage Bronze Millims debut in 1956. The first issues have high mintage and are valued well under a dollar. Starting in the 1970s, Sudan issued a number of commemorative coins primarily for the numismatic market including gold and silver proofs.

Numismatic items of Sudan include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$2 and up	Recent UNC Dinars and Millims from the 1950s onward in VF+ start around $2. Recent Bi-Metal UNCs, UNC Sets from the 1980s onward, etc start around $10. Low Mintage High Value UNCs from the 1960s and 1970s starts around $20. Low Mintage Commemorative Silver Proofs from the 1970s onward starts around $50. Rare Early Piastres in VF+, Year of the Child and other graded rare silver proofs, Gold Proofs, etc go well into the 100s.
Paper Money	$1 and up	Common UNC Poundage from the 1980s onward starts around $1. Very Low Serial Number UNCs, Consecutive UNC Banknotes with 10-pieces or more, etc start around $20. Rare Specimens, Early Banknotes in VF+, etc start around $50. Rare Cancelled Overprints Poundage in UNC, Bundles, Early High Value Rare UNCs, etc go well into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Resource	Price Range	Description
Gemstones	$3 and up	Natural Multicolor Sudan Opals start around $3 and go into the 100s depending on carat weight, color, clarity, and other factors.
Art	$10 and up	19th century local scenes prints start around $10. Novica Wood Carvings start around $30. Original Vintage Oil Paintings, Novica Sculptures etc go well into the 100s.
Antiques	$15 and up	19th century maps start around $15. Chakaree Divination Statues, Murle Fighting Bracelets, etc start around $50. 18th century and older maps, Tribal Knifes, Dinka curios and furniture, Bongo Funeral Figures, etc go well into the 100s and 1000s.
Miscellaneous Collectibles	$2 and up	Lapel Pins, Patches, Postcards etc start around $2. Early 20th century tribal photos, postcards, etc start around $30. Hebron Trade Beads, Pugnale Coltello Swords, Aruva Carved Wood Milk Containers, George Rodger Nuba Photographs etc start around $50 and go well into the 100s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.