Slovenia - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Slovenia, a country in Central Europe bordered by Italy, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, Adriatic Sea, and the Mediterranean, has a total land area of 7,827 square miles and a population of over two million. Slovenia, whose history can be traced to Neanderthal times, is the meeting place of four geographic regions of Europe. It is therefore not unusual for Slovenia to have a variety of habitats. Outstanding among them is the Classical Karst, a limestone plateau extending from southwestern Slovenia to northeastern Italy. More than half of the country is blanketed by trees – in fact some areas still have primeval forests. In keeping with its various habitats, Slovenia also has diverse flora and fauna. It is classified as a high-income developed country. The major sectors of its economy are services, industry, construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing. Its economy is highly dependent on foreign trade. As their taxes are high, industries are losing sales to other countries.

Travel Resources: 

April through September is the best time to visit Slovenia. Several wildflowers brighten the country in April and May. The biggest attraction is its natural beauty. It serves the visitors with a variety of landscapes – Alpine, Mediterranean, Pannonian, and Dinaric. The huge forest cover adds to the beauty of its landscape. Its mountains have respectable runs for skiers and hikers. The caves in the Karst Plateau are attraction beyond words. Historical castles and building with architectural interest are also aplenty. Slovenia is also into gambling tourism. In keeping with its diverse landscapes its cuisine is also varied. Bujita repa, ricet, prekmurska, potica, kranjska klobasa etc., are some of its dishes.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Lonely Planet Slovenia Country Guide	978-1741048575	$16	Introductory travel information covering 70 pages followed by sections on Ljubljana, Gorenjska, Primorska, Notranjska, Dolenjska and Bela Krajina, Stajerska and Koroska, and Prekmurje.
Slovenia Travel Map by ITM Canada	978-1553414018	$11	1:200,000 Scale.
Slovenia Grounded Adapter Plug – GUB	B001ST4WCE	$8

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamp of Slovenia was a stamp depicting a caricature of the Parliament Building issued on June 26, 1991. The stamp (Scott #100) is inexpensive and catalogs for less than a dollar MNH or used. It was issued to mark the declaration of independence on June 25, 1991. The first set was followed by another set of fourteen stamps released between 1991 and 1992 in the National Arms theme. The set (Scott #101 to #114) catalogs for around $5 MNH or used. The stamps are in two slightly different designs in many colors and denominations. Slovenia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918 when it became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. It became a part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929 and a constituent republic of Yugoslavia following World War II.

Other issues of Slovenia enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of two stamps released on April 22, 1994 in the Europa theme. The set (Scott #194 to #195) catalogs for around $3 MNH or used. The designs show Janez Puhar and Camera, and Moon and Jurij Vega. Slovenia has released a number of sets in the Europa theme over the years (Contemporary Art - Scott #170 to #171, Liberation of the Concentration Camps – Scott #229 to #230, Paintings – Scott #250 to #251, etc) and they form a good collectible theme.
2. A set of fourteen stamps released between 2000 and 2004 in the Castles theme. The set (Scott #400 to #415B) catalogs for around $17 MNH and around $10 for used. The designs show Predjama, Velenje, Ptuj, Otocec, Zuzemberk, Turjak, Dobrovo, Breziski, Gewerkenegg, Podsreda, Beld, Olimje, Murska Sobota, and Kamen. Slovenian castles are a prime tourist attraction despite the fact that many were destroyed in World War II and only a few have been renovated. The most popular Slovenian castles for visitors include the Predjama Castle and the Bled Castle, both of which are featured in this set.
3. A set of three stamps and a souvenir sheet released on September 18, 2003 in the Farm Animals theme. The set (Scott #533 to #535 and #536) catalogs for around $7 MNH and around half that for used. The designs show Krsko Polje Pig, Cika Cattle, Jezersko-Solcava Sheep, and Styrian Hen and Rooster.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coin of Slovenia was a Republic Standard Coinage (100 Stotinov = 1 Tolar) 500 Tolar Silver Commemorative Proof issued to mark the first anniversary of independence. The design shows Value within circle and date in Obverse and Leaf, Design, and Value in Reverse. It had high mintage (50K) and catalogs for around $35. Several minor varieties also exist. The first gold coin was a 0.2025 troy ounce commemorative released that year to mark the same event. It has low mintage (4K) and catalogs for a slight premium over bullion value.

Numismatic items of Slovenia include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$1 and up	Common UNCs starts around $1. Recent bi-metal euro commemoratives in UNC starts around $10. Euro Mint Year Sets, Low Mintage Commemorative Proof Sets, Gold Proofs, etc starts around $50 and go well into the 100s.
Paper Money	$2 and up	Common UNC Tolarjevs starts around $2. Specimen UNCs, Consecutive Serial Numbers with 10-pieces or more, etc start around $15. UNC Bundles, First Issue Sets, etc start around $50. Rare Specimen Sets, First Serial Number Sets, etc go well into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Lace, Yugoslav coins, banknotes, stamps, magazines and medals (antique value), medieval weapons, and beautiful pottery are some items visitors take away with them as reminders of their trip.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Art	$10 and up	Folk Costume prints and early 20th century original historically relevant photographs start around $10. Jasper Johns Visconti Exhibit posters start around $70.
Pottery and Glass	$10 and up	Etched flower bud vases, Mikasa Slovenia Candleholders etc start around $10. Handmade Miller Rogaska Crystal Decanters, Rosenthal Geometria Square Crystal Vases etc start around $50.
Miscellaneous Collectibles	$2 and up	Flags, patches, phone cards, pez dispenser, etc start around $2. 19th century historically relevant postcards, prints, and photos start around $20. FIFA 2010 Soccer Memorabilia start around $40. Bravery heroism medals, Large Wulfenite samples, etc go into the 100s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.