Palestinian Authority - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Palestinian National Authority, an administrative organization formed in 1994 to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip has a total land area of 2262 square miles and a population of over 3.9 million.









Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Palestinian Authority were a set of thirteen stamps released in 1994 showing local scenes and symbols. The set (Scott #1 to #13) catalogs for around $9 MNH or used. The designs show Hisham Palace of Jericho, Mosque of Jerusalem, Flag, and Dome of the Rock. A surcharged variety was issued on April 10, 1995 and that catalogs in the same range. The surcharge struck out ‘Mils’ and replaced by ‘FILS’. Another set of three stamps (Scott #27 to #29) was issued on May 17, 1995 which were overprints on Palestine issues. That set is also inexpensive and catalogs for around $3 MNH or used. An original issue featuring Traditional Costumes (Scott #30 to #33) and another one in the Christmas theme (Scott #34 to #38) were also issued in the same year. Those sets catalog in the $5 range MNH or used.

Other issues of Palestinian Authority enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of two stamps released on June 19, 1997 featuring Historic Views. The set (Scott #66 to #67) catalogs for around $4 MNH or used. The designs show Gaza and Hebron. Another set in the Friends of Palestine theme was released in the same year. That set (Scott #69 to #72) is sought after and catalogs for around $8 MNH or used. The designs show Yasser Arafat, Hans-Jurgen Wischnewski, and Mother Teresa.
2. A set of five stamps released in 2000 to mark the visit of Pope John Paul II to Holy Land. The set (Scott #121 to #125) catalogs for around $11 MNH or used. The designs show Pope and Yasser Arafat holding hands, Pope with miter, Pope touching Arafat’s shoulder, Pope, crèche, and Pope, back of Arafat’s head.
3. A set of three stamps released in 2002 showing City Views. The set (Scott #158 to #160) catalogs for around $8 MNH or used. The designs show Jerusalem, El-Eizariya, and Nablus.

Numismatic Profile:

Palestinian Authority uses the US dollar, the Israeli Shekel, and the Jordanian Dinar for its currency needs. Palestinian Authority was debarred from issuing its own currency in the Oslo Agreements. Palestine had British Administration Mil Coinage (1000 Mils = 1 Pound) and Currency prior to 1948 when Israel demonetized the coins of Palestine.

Last Updated: 12/2015.