Guernsey - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Guernsey, a dependent territory of Great Britain which is park of the bailiwick of Guernsey in the Channel Islands has a total land area of 30 square miles and a population of over 65,000. A high southern plateau (Haut Pas) and a low-lying sandy region (Bas Pas) to the north are two main regions of the country.  Human activity is centered in Bas Pas. Banking and tourism are the major industries. The other sectors are boat building, textiles, electronics, chemicals etc. Its low taxes, minimal interference from the government, and the financial infrastructure are key to lifting Guernsey as a top offshore financial center.

Travel Resources:

April through October is the best time to visit the islands. Tourists generally visit this island to chill and sightseeing is an afterthought. The main spots are Castle Cornet, Hauteville House (Victor Hugo's home) and the German Occupation museum.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm Landmark Visitor Guide	978-1843064909	$12
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society	978-0385341004	$9	Set in Channel Islands (Guernsey) and London immediately after World War II, the book explores the tragic stories of life under Nazi occupation in a lighthearted way.
Guernsey Visitor’s Map	978-1553415961	$13	1:12,500 scale includes Alderney, Sark, and Herm
Universal World Wide Travel Charger Adapter Plug	B001MGUB9Q	$4

Philatelic Profile:

Guernsey used the postage stamps of Great Britain before 1958. The first stamps of Guernsey were a set of seven stamps released between 1958 and 1969 showing a portrait of Queen Victoria. The set (Scott #1 to #7) is inexpensive and catalogs for less than two dollars MNH or used. The design shows Guernsey lily and Crown of William the Conqueror in different colors and denominations. The stamps were unique in that they were sold only in the Bailiwick of Guernsey but were valid for postage throughout Great Britain.

The first original issues of the Bailiwick of Guernsey were a long set of sixteen stamps issued between 1969 and 1970 in the Local theme. The set (Scott #8 to #23) catalogs for around $40 MNH and around $35 for used. The designs show Castle Cornet and Edward the Confessor, Martello Tower and Henry II, Arms of Sark and King John, Arms of Alderney and Edward III, Guernsey Lily and Henry V, Arms of Guernsey and Queen Elizabeth I, Arms of Alderney and Charles II, Arms of Sark and George III, Arms of Guernsey and Queen Victoria, Map of Bailiwick and William I, Guernsey Lily and Queen Elizabeth I, Martello Tower and King John, Braye Harbor in Alderney, and Saint Peter Port of Guernsey.

Other stamps of Guernsey enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of three stamps released on August 12, 1970 showing Flora and Fauna. The set (Scott #33 to #36) catalogs for around $14 MNH and around half that for used. The designs show tomatoes, cow, Guernsey bull, and freesias. Guernsey stamps are noted for their exquisite design and beauty and this set is a classic example.
2. A set of five stamps released on August 25, 1981 featuring inter-island transportation methods. The set (Scott #227 to #231) catalogs for around $2 MNH or used. The designs show Sark launch, Trislander plane, hydrofoil, Herm catamaran, and Alderney coaster. This was the last set with the inscription “Bailiwick of Guernsey”. The next stamps had just the inscription “Guernsey”. Alderney started issuing its own stamps in 1983. “Bailiwick of Guernsey” inscription came back in 1999.
3. A set of three stamps released on April 24, 1997 showing Island Scenes. The set (Scott #593 to #595) catalogs for around $3 MNH or used. The designs show Shell Beach at Herm Island, La Seigneurie of Sark, and Castle Comet of Guernsey.
4. A set of six stamps released on May 9, 2005 in the Gastronomy theme. The set (Scott #868 to #873) catalogs for around $10 MNH or used. The designs show spider crab,  red mullet and crab cake, lobster, brill on spinach with mussels, shrimp salad, salmon wrapped in spinach with mussels. 

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins of Guernsey were Copper coins denominated in Double (8 Doubles = 1 Penny, 12 Pence = 1 Shilling, 5 Shillings = 1 Crown, 20 Shillings = 1 Pound) issued in 1830. The design shows Arms in Obverse and Denomination and Date in Reverse. The issue catalogs for around $75 UNC. Bronzed Copper Proofs of the same coin was issued as well and that catalogs for around $250. Prior to this, Spanish Colonial coins were in use in Guernsey. Guernsey has issued gold coins in a number of different denominations starting in 1981.

Numismatic items of Guernsey include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$1 and up	Pennies from the 1970s onward in UNC starts around $1. 19th century Copper Doubles in UNC starts around $10. Silver proofs from the 1980s onward starts around $30. Gold coins go well into the 100s and 1000s.
Paper Money	$5 and up	Recent Poundage UNC banknotes starts around $5. Low serial numbers starts around $10. High Value UNCs starts around $50. German Occupation and other rare notes go well into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Knitwear and edible goods are the popular takeaways from the island.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Art	$10 and up	19th century local scenes prints start around $10. Oil paint reproductions from famous artists start around $100.
Pottery and Glass	$10 and up	Guernsey colored glass curios start around $10. Pitchers, Teapots etc start for a little more.
Collectibles	$25 and up	Guernsey glass rocking horses start around $25 and can go into the 50s and 60s. Guernsey cow and Hanako san PVC Figures start around $50 and can go into the 100s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.