Namibia - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Namibia, a country in Southern Africa bordered by Angola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean has a total land area of 318,696 square miles and a population of over 2.3 million. Its terrain can be broadly divided into five ecosytems – the Central Plateau, the Namib Desert, the Great Escarpment, the Bushveld, and the Kalahari Desert. Mining (gemstones and precious metals), agriculture and tourism are the important sectors of this thinly populated country’s economy. Namibia, with active support from Britain is trying to uplift the lot of its landless black farmers by expropriating arable land fully controlled by mostly white, commercial farmers. It has a highly sophisticated banking sector and is pursuing the goal of becoming the regional transportation hub.

Travel Resources: 

The best time to visit Namibia for wildlife safari is between July and September- the vegetation is at its thinnest exposing animals and feathered friends better. For a photographer, it is a year-round destination.With conservation and protection of natural resources addressed in its constitution, Namibia is a key African tourist destination. Visitors descend in droves to experience its extensive wildlife, sport hunting, and extreme sports possible in that terrain. The most popular places are the Kalahari, Bushveld, Etosha Pan, Fish River Canyon, and the Caprivi Strip. Namibian cuisine is interesting and varied. Its cattle, (raised on Savannah grasses and shrubs), venison, and home-made cheeses are sought after. Traditional dishes popular with visitors include braaivleis and potjiekos.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Namibia Bradt Travel Guide	978-1841621876	$18	Part I is a traveler’s introduction covering over 100 pages with excellent tips. Part II has sections on Windhoek, The Central Corridor, The Southern Kalahari and Fish River Canyon, Luderitz and the Southwest, The Namib-Naukluft National Park, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay Area, The Skeleton Coast, The Kaokoveld, Etosha National Park, North-Central Namibia, The Triangle and Bushmanland, Owamboland, and Rundu and the Caprivi Strip.
Namibia Nelles Map	978-3865742506	$12	1:1,500,000 Scale. Includes inset maps of Around Luderitz, Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Victoria Falls, and Waterberg. Also, city maps of Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Maun, Okahandja, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay, and Windhoek.
Namibia Grounded Adapter Plug Kit – GUE and GUF	B001FD5C2M	$15

Philatelic Profile:

Namibia released a set of three stamps on March 21, 1990 to mark their independence from South Africa. The set (Scott #659 to #661) catalogs for around $3 MNH and around the same for used. The designs show President Sam Nujoma, map and national flag, dove, map, and hands unchained. It gained independence from South Africa on that day following the Namibian War of Independence. It became a German Imperial protectorate in 1884 and remained so until the end of World War I. The League of Nations mandated the country to South Africa in 1920. Apartheid policy existed from 1948 in Namibia as well. United Nations assumed responsibility of the territory in 1966, although administration remained with South Africa until independence.

Other issues of Namibia enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A long set of fifteen stamps released on January 2, 1991 in the Minerals and Mining theme. The set (Scott #674 to #689) catalogs for around $18 MNH and around $14 used. The designs show fluorite, mimetite, azurite, dioptase, Oranjemund Alluvial Diamond Mine, Tsumeb Mine, Rosh Pinah Mine, diamond, Uis Mine, boltwoodite, Rossing Mine, wulfenite, gold, and willemite. Mining is the single largest contributor to the economy at 25%. It is the world’s fourth largest exporter of non-fuel minerals and is known for its uranium and diamond deposits.
2. A set of four stamps released on March 8, 1995 in the Locomotives theme. The set (Scott #774 to #777) catalogs for around $4 MNH and around half that for used. The designs show Prince Edward, the first in service, Ex-German SWA 2-8-0 tank, Class 8, and Class 33 400 Diesel Electric. Namibian railway history dates back to 1895 with small mining rail lines and the first complete line was built between Swakopmund and Windhoek in 1902. Currently, the rail service is provided by TransNamib.
3. A set of four stamps released on July 7, 2004 in the historic buildings in Bethanie theme. The set (Scott #1044 to #1047) catalogs for around $7 MNH or used. The designs show Joseph Ferdericks House, Schmelen House, Rhenish Mission Church, and Stone Church. Namibia is a prime tourist destination in Africa receiving over a million visitors a year, attracted primarily by its extensive wildlife, ecotourism, and extreme sports initiatives.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coin of Namibia was a Republic Decimal Coinage (100 Cents = 1 Namibia Dollar, 1 Namibia Dollar = 1 South African Rand) Nickel Plated Steel 5 Cents coin issued in 1993 showing Arms with supporters in Obverse and Value and a design in Reverse. The issue is common and catalogs for under a dollar in UNC. Gold proofs were first introduced in 2000 with the issue of 0.0408 troy ounce gold coin to mark 10 years of independence. The design showed Arms with supporters in Obverse and Two lions within circle in Reverse.

Numismatic items of Namibia include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$2 and up	Common UNCs start around $2. Recent bi-metallic UNCs and Year Sets from the 1990s starts around $10. Copper-Nickel Color Proofs from the 1990s starts around $30. Silver Proofs start around $50 and go well into the 100s for rare Essais.
Paper Money	$5 and up	Common UNC Dollar Notes start around $5. High Value Recent UNCs starts around $25. UNC Sets, Bundles, and Rare Specimens go well into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Souvenirs include the wooden carved animals, woven grass baskets, wooden salad bowls, wire ornaments, jewelry, baskets and urns.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Rocks and Fossils	$5 and up	Purpurites, Aquamarine, Rose Quartz etc samples start around $5. Gibeon meteorite samples start around $100 and go into the 1000s depending on size.
Gemstones	$10 and up	Natural Spessartite, Tourmaline, etc gemstones start around $10. Lepidolite, Spessartite, etc gemstones in the 10ct range go into the 100s. Certified Green Garnets over 2 ct and Cuprite over 10ct go into the $1000 range.
Art	$10 and up	Flora and Fauna posters start around $10. Vintage posters start around $30. Cuban political posters start around $50 and go into the 100s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.