No 8 - here we come with nice design for stamp, but on FDC is (again) some "dark sky", like before tornado - I have an feeling that author is using it intentionally.

No 7 - FDC design is (my opinion) o.k. - but stamps alone is more in frame of "amateur" dravings.

No 10 used cover - because I didn't obtain FDC with s/s, I used this way, to create "privat" FDC for this issue.

No 10 issued in sheetlet of 8+2 tab, think that it is more than common philatelist need.

o Here is FDC of Europa issue, and again they made it just with stam.
FDC with s/s is not issue, even that s/s is in different design.

Montenegro #7, 8 and 9

Here is some new issue, number 7 is for "Football Champ in Germany"
(face value of set+block is 3.oo e),

8 is for "Tourism" (face value for set is 0.75 e),

and 9 is for "Independence" (face value for single value is 0.50 E).

Printing house in CPU Sarajevo, on paper CPL 105 gr, offset, perforation 13 1/4, issued in sheetlet 8+1 tab.

It is all same for this three issue, and what to say except that it is in common quality and design.
Number 7 author is M. Kalezic, #8 from N. Skocajic and #9 from J. Simonovic.

Quantity for #7 = 2 value x 32 000 pcs, #8 = 2 value x 32 000 pcs and #9 = 1 value x 25 000 pcs.

Not much for one country, hope that they will keep it in this way.

Montenegro Postage due - more detail:

From beginning just to say, that this information I have from exhibitors articles (Djordje Markovich, Podgorica, Montenegro), and can be that I made some "not fair act", because I publish it without asking author for permission.
Reason? Simply - I can not reach him! I simply don't have any contact address of him.

Here we have first issue:
Named "Top quality sport", picture of football, in use from17th April till 17th July 2001. Issued in sheets of 8+1 tab and sheets of 100, with one position that have hidden draft men's initials.

What made me angry, is that they issued it with "Sport + Europa" topic, plus "Nature protection" at once single issue!

It don't have any kind of practical use - it is used for extra-pay in mailing mail, and extra income go to national sport organization, but on sheet (see image) is printed tab with nature, and on margin "Europa" - whats for? Just to attract collectors? No - it will not help in revenues!

Second issue:
"Against Violence on Woman" (pictured on page) in use from 26th November till 10th December 2001. Issued same in 8+1 tab sheet (color picture) and sheet of 100 (brown version), with same initials system.

Third issue:
"Raising the forest" (picture), in use from 1st March till 15th March 2002, in same detail of sheetlet and draft man's initial like before.

Fourth issue:
"Struggle against cancer" (picture), valid from 15th March till 15th April 2002, rest info is same like before.

Fifth issue:



Issued to commemorate and support phila expo "Montenegroprofila", in use from 26th May till 26th June 2002. Rest is same like before, and is not pictured on my page. (picture on right).

Sixt issue:
"Nature protection, Skadar lake, Pelicans", pictured on page, and in use from 25th July till 10th August 2002, rest is same.

Seventh issue:
"Hundred years of first postal vehicle in Europe and Montenegro", in use from 9th June till 3th July 2003, rest is same and common for all.

Eight issue:
Tenth cycling tour "King Nikola's Roads", valid from 1st April till 30ht April 2004, rest is same.

Ninth issue:
for "XXVII Olympic in Athens" valid from 15th June till 14th September 2004, rest is same for all.

Tenth issue:
To celebrate phila expo "Montenegroprofila II" in use from 30th September till 30th October 2004, rest is common for all issue.

Like what You see, I have picture of four, not more, not because I don't like, but because (according Montenegro Post official), because it is printed in really low quantity, and with "nice" topic, that resulted of sold-out. Part that was not used, is sold to dealer - and we have it in "shortage".
Anyway - I hope that this info will give some help to collectors, but see the prices!! Face value is 0.05 euro, but try it to by for this money!!!!
Dealer is asking much-much more, if You even will find dealer who have it for sale!
I personally have just few of it, and not all, even in used form I don't have it - I just didn't find it anywhere.

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As today, March 13, 2009 - I wish to show You one rarities for Postage Due #8, from 2004 year - there existed one sample of normal white paper, and second sample is on slightly dark/blue paper. For this sample I don't have any information about when, where or who printed it - more problematic that I obtained it from one dealer in Latvia - I don't believe that it can be forgery - because it is too cheap to made - hardly that someone will have any interest to do it.

Shown is on the top of this page - and next one issue from also unknown date and year, near "Cycling" - You will see one "Red-Cross" issue which was common in Yugoslavia time "Fight against Tuberculosis" - again, no information from any side, Montenegro Post can not give me any info because they didn't issue postage due or Red Cross issue, and they are limited for use on certain period and after that revoked and destroyed.

Any information from other specialist for this country will be welcome.

Scott Listing for Montenegro Issue

Finally we have it on last issue of Scott Stamp Montly issue (page 78).

First issue for "Coat of Arms and Flag" is numbered by Scott #123-126 set of four value, mint or used have price of 4.25 $ for set,

"Europa" issue have number 127-128 set of two, with price 1.90 $, I think that it is too low for "Europa" issue, but...,

next come "50 yr Europa issue" with numbers 129 for horizontal strip of 4, and priced 13.50$, and "regular" set is valued just 8.50$.

Block (s/sheet) for this issue is numbered 130 and valued to same 13.50$ (it is some error? value for set to be same like for set in strip format!).

Follow set "Winter Olympic" set of 2 numbered 131-132 and valued to 3.75$.

Last for now is "Flowers" in same set for 2, numbered 133-134, and valued at 1.90$.

"Coins" set received numbers 135-136 and value for 2.40$.

"2006 World Cup - Germany" numbered 137-138 and s/s 139 valued 4.00$ per set and 4.00$ per s/s.

Now we come accross listing in Scott "National Symbols" numbered 140-142 (? think it is error) and valued 3.25$.

"Tourism" come next, 143-144 valued 2.00$.

"Independence" one stamp 145 valued 1.25$.

"Europe 2006" set 146-147 4.00$ and s/s with it 148 4.00$.

"Ivo Visin" sailor/ship go 149 for 1.00$.

"Stamp Day" is 150 for 0.65$.

"Paiting of Mona Lisa" 151 for 1.25$.

"Cultural Heritage" 152-153 go for 1.25$.

Yes - Scott give them good starting position, in "regular" option issue, but we have here some issue with tab on middle of set (sheet of 8+1 tab), sheet of 20 with margin tab, etc, that will increase value of issue.

All in all - good beginning, let's see where it will finished!

See that after "Coin" issue, Scott value is going down with value, for sure result is quantity and demand, that affected it - hope that Montenegrin authority will do something if they want to keep it valued on market, but same - I'm afraid they will miss point and continued with same policy.

Montenegro #6

"100 yr of Montenegrian Coin"

and I must to continue with "...that today, in independent Montenegro didn't existed!"

Date 27 April 2006, author M. Kalezic (know for 90% issue made by him), same tehnical detail like previous issue, but with quantity printed in decline, now it stand at 28 000.

set = 0.90/1.50 E,
sheet of 8+tab = 7.20/12.00,
FDC = 1.40/2.50 E,
CM = 1.90/3.00.

Scott catalog have it by numnber 135-136, and valued it on 2.40 $ per set

Montenegro #5 (Michel # 114-115)

"Flora"

Date 15 March 2006, author A. Kostic (someone new on "market"?), rest is in same detail like previous issue except printing sheet that is now 20, with numbering, two value in set, and "frame". quantity of 32 000 pcs.

set = 0.75/1.55 E,
sheet of 20 = 15.00/28.00 E,
FDC = 1.25/3.50 E.

catalogue Michel value it at 1.50 euro for used or mint.

Recently, I purchased one FDC that was issued on occasion for Washington exhibition, this FDC have one short history of Montenegro post printed on back, with one stamp attached on, canceled with Washington first day cancel.

Prices are cheap for this FDC, yes - more than catalogue even much more, but we must know that this FDC are not available on every corner.

At present, this cover are valued at 6.00 euro.

Montenegro #4

"Winter Olympic Torino"

date 7 Feb 2006, author M. Kalezic, with same paper, printer, perforation like previous issue.

Quantity come to "normal" 32 000 (Thank's Good), overall - I think that they have one nice set, also designed FDC is in "good taste".

set = 1.50/2.50 E,

sheet of 8+tab = 12.00/20.00 E,

FDC = 2.00/4.00 E.

Montenegro #3

"50 yr of first issue 'Europa'"

I really don't know what is need of this issue or better to say, what's for to issue common design "Europa" and also "50 yr of Europa" in same calendar year?
Just to "press" collectors to spend more money? Answer is YES!

date: 3 Jan 2006,
in same studio, paper and perforation is same like previous issue, printing technoque same.

Printed in sheet of 16 stamp (4 set) + 4 tabs between two set.
Quantity is 505 000 sets - really no need for this quantity, but compared with "Coat of Arms" it is significant decline.

let's see prices:

set = 5.50/8.25 E,
set+tab = 5.50/10.00 E,
sheet of 4 set+tab = 22.00/33.00 E,
sheet/block = 5.50/9.00 E,
block imperforated (different design) = 5.50/9.00 E,
FDC = 3.25/6.00 E.

Again "game" with collectors - what's for is block/sheet perforated and next sheet/block imperforated - I cry - what for?

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And as today, May 25, 2010 - I received material from public auction, where I purchased one s/s of this issue, with shifted perforation!

On auction catalog is nicely stated, "shifted perforation" - just-just-just, I made like usually some "exploration", scanned image, zoomed by simple pro gramme of Picasa (from Google) - and what I see? So poorly manipulated perforation, so poorly produced fake perforation - no one can not explain me that it is original from printing plant!

Middle row, horizontally - I see even color marking that was like "guide" for someone perforating machine, that is in dimension smaller than s/s perforation machine (it is in half size of original, just for two stamp) - and this middle row are perforated twice time, that caused hole to be ellipse and not round - and plus this color marking that are applied before perforation happened!

Hope that I will receive response from auction owner, and also from post of Montenegro.

At present this "shifted perforation" are valued at 36.00 euro.

Montenegro #2

"Europa 2006 - Gastronomy"

Here we have one common issue with Europ countries, that it is this year "Gastronomy".

Again design by Axis Studio,
same printer like #1,
same paper CPL 105 gr,
perforation 13 1/4,
in sheetlet of 8+1 tab,
set of two stamps,
face value 0.75/2.00,
complete set contain 2 stamps + sheet (block) + booklet (karnet).

Here is something that make me confused.
Set and block is same design and same stamp, pictured plate with food, that math topic "Gastronomy", but "in cover" of same topic, they issued booklet (that I received/purchased) without protective cover/pages, just simple block (sheet), but what is in question, is that design of this "booklet" is different from set. It is imprinted "Evropa - gastronomy", but have picture of bee and cup of honey (0.25 e) and second value is glass of wine and grape.
To which topic select this "booklet"?

what dealer say about prices:

set = 0.75/2.00 E,
set+tab = 0.75/3.00 E,
block/sheet = 0.75/1.75 E,
sheet of 8+tab = 6.00/10.00 E,
FDC = 1.25/2.25 E,
booklet = 0.75/4.00 E.

Right now (4/XII/2007) visited eBay auction, and to be fair - all who didn't purchase this issue from beginning, they made great mistake!!!

I see that dealer in Germany are asking for set of this issue (set+block+booklet) just 99.00 euros, others seller just follow this trend, it will be one rare item, and even Post of Montenegro didn't have it in stock anymore.

And now that I have Michel catalogue in hand - I see that I was in right about this issue. Last contact with one person that are willing to sell this issue, made me "cry" - he is asking:

set = 10.00 euro,

kleinbogen (sheet) = 90.00 euro,

booklet = 90.00 euro,

s/s = 16.00 euro,

s/s imperforated = 30.00 euro.

What borrow me mostly is that FDC is non-standard dimension, too big to keep it in any album, and most of all that FDC cover have design of booklet stamp with "gastronomy" stamp on it.

Montenegro #1

Ahhhhhhhh, let's see what is issued in postage section, I will try to give maximum precise information that is available to me at present, and will state face value and dealers value, that is asked at present (face value will be in light and dealers in bold letters).

Montenegro Coat of Arms (national symbols),

Issued: 15 Dec 2005,

by Axis Studio,

printed by CPU Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina),

paper: CPL 105 gr,

perf.: 13 1/4,

in sheet of 20 and sheet of 8+2 tabs,

set of 4 value,

face value for set = 1.75 /2.50 E,

sheetlet of 8+2 = 14.00/18.00 E,

FDC = 3.75/6.00 E,

Quanity of (great!!!!!) 2.000.000 set.

This is something!

2mil for country of population less than 1m!

What's for?

But everybody have his own system and I think they know why it is printed in 2mil sets.

Little critic for FDC (photo).

Someone who give permission for design didn't think or better to say, didn't see by ordinary peoples eye, it look like to some dark cloud around soil.

If soil on picture present Montenegro, what that mean this dark cloud?

Just received info about first reprint issue of this first set.

Still don't have any samples to show, because from Montenegro Post Service, I received two sheet of 20 but with year 2005! I have issue from 2005 but it is in sheet of 8+2tab format (with year printed in gold), and now they delivered me sheet of 20 (officially printing sheet is of 20) with year printed in black.

On cover (shown) I see postage used from 2005 year and one stamp (left-middle row, first from left) is with year printed 2006 - now question is with which year issue need to be on reprint issue? I think 2006 - in this case, administrator who prepare shipment to me, simply don't know what is reprint issue - sadly!!!!!

Also I must to notice one great "patriotism" over label use, there we see "R" label, but with inscription of SR Yugoslavia!!! Few year pass of independence and they still use Yugoslavian labels - it made me good feelings!

Postally Used Cover:

Just one sample, which made me angry.
Why?
See, this is cover from shipment of my order, first six issue, that was weight 477 gr.
Well packed, protected with heavy carton, inside all separated by envelopes, folders, stickers.
weight of ambalage have 80% of total weight, O.K. I agree with it, but I have great problem to accept postage, that I pay!!!
It is 12.35 Euro, and it is "in frame" with EU prices, (even that Montenegro is still far away from EU membership and law), BUT-BUT if I pay for postage, I want postage stamp to be attached on envelope, with clear cancel on it!!!!!!
What I received? Simple cover, simple label, no cancel.
Not something that I'm happy (yes - it is my problem and who care?).

I have just luck to noticed one cancel from Israelian Post Tax Authoriy, that stated "tax free", and one more "nice" point:
They still use post label (instead of postage stamp), that is inscribed "Jugoslavija", even that Yuogoslavia was destroied before few years, and Serbia and Montenegro (Country) is also gone, and Montenegro is independent country - but again, they still use "Jugoslavija" inscription.
What about prices for this item/s? I contacted few dealers there in Montenegro, and ALL of them, for simple "canceled to order" cover, they ask between 5-20 euros for each (regarding face value on it), and I think that for this really postally used, with label even, can reach, after few year, some around 15.00 Euro.

Montenegrop Postage Due #4:

My opinion is that author (again R. Bojanic) have some "problem" with colors, it is too "gray" scale, but maybe it was intention of him, because this issue is named "Let's Grow Forest", same like previous issue, face value of 0.05 Euro, sheet of 8+tab, same printing plant and offset printing.

Dealers is still keeping this prices high, because sheetlet of 8+tab, numbered will be hard to find, especially that we don't know what is quantity used, and what is sold to dealers.

Now they are asking 8.00 Euros for sheetlet of 8+tab.

Montenegro Postage Due #2 & 3

It was issued in 2002, and one was named: "Struggle against Cancer" (Flower and yellow ball), with face value 0.05 Euro.

Issued like before in sheetlet of 8+tab, printed in same printing plant like before, with no detailed information for technical process.

I just see that it is also offset printing, nice combination with color, design from R. Bojanic, but quantity printed is still unknown.

Dealer around is asking for this sheetlet of 8+tab clearly 10.00 euro.

Too high? I think that for first of issue, from this "new" country, it is worth, because it will be valuable.

Lets talk little about other picture, that is for "Protect Scadar Lake and Pelican".

Topic that many collectors will need for collection, same issued in 8+tab, in same printing plant, same author, same 2002 yr, and same face value of 0.05 Euro.

Dealers? Asking high 8.00 Euro for sheetlet of 8+tab. What is special, it is numbered every sheetlet issued, and I noticed it for this two issue, but previous (Fight Violence on Woman) is missing numbering print.

Montenegro Postage Due 2001:

Here we have two identical pictures of one issue, which still I didn't find in any of major catalogues.

One was named "Fight against Force over Woman", issued 2001, issued in sheetlet of 8 + tab, and pictured is one sheetlet with author initials imprinted on one stamp.
This imprint is visible just with lens/magnifier.

My opinion is that it is well designed, but printed in standard offset printing, in Novi Sad, Serbia (Voivodina), by Forum printing plant.

Quantity, perforation is not available at present, and face nominal of stamp alone is 0.10+0.05 Euro. Market value (as today) is 10.00 eurofor sheetlet of 8+tab.
For pair of two printed in brown color, dealer are asking about 25.00 euro. And for FDC, which was auctioned recently in Belgrade, I pay full 12.00 euro.

Montenegro first issue.

Just because of some comments that I received, I must say, that ALL prices for new issue, that appear in, are prices of dealer/s at the day of issue - with time, this prices, usually come down, and every dealer will reduce it according own interest.

Just recently published by "Vecernje Novosti", information about new issue that will be issued by Montenegro.

It will be just with inscription "Montenegro" only, and still no one know if it will be valid just on Montenegrin territory, and if it will be recognized by UPU. Like what we sawe - it happen!

It is, what collectors know to name, one "New Country", and next one "Dead Country" topic, but how it will be valued on really stamp market no one know.

According info from Montenegro Post Authority, they have programme with all "commercial" topic and face value will be (my opinion) just for dealers budget, and I think, they have support from Italian dealers and organization.

When I ask about subscription service and reduction in prices for dealers, all condition "suggest" that it is "just for wholesale" agent, and small philatelist/collectors will be "out" practically - what to do?!

Printing is done in Bosnia (Sarajevo) even that actually country "Serbia and Montenegro" have enough printing plant to do job, but again, it "smelt" for some "private" deal, where someone will take profit (again on collectors pocket).

For now, it is all what i can say, in future, when I will have it in my possession, I will made scan available.

Chastven Miloje
Dealer with Balkan Countries Philatelic Material
APS, ISWSC, NSDA, ex-ASDA, and some more

==================================================================
And like what i promised,

here it is - picture of first issue from Montenegro (Crna Gora), that is still part of Serbia and Crna Gora country.

It took me few months of contacting officials in Montenegro Post and some emails, without any success, and finally I received it from Bosnian dealer, who deliver it quickly but prices was little bit high - 40.00 Euros for this sheet of 8+2 labels (tabs).

I was little bit surprised, because my expectation for first issue was much more than that what I see! I hoped that it will be little more "art" involved, with some engraving, if not all engraved, but nothing from it!

Here is technical detail:

Issued on: 15 December 2005

Design: Axis Studio

Printed in: Offset CPU Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) !!!

Paper: CPL 105 gr

Perforation: 13 1/4

Printing sheet: 20 and sheet of 8 stamp + 2 label

Set have: 4 value

Face value: 1.75 Euro (money in use is still dinar!!!!!!!)

Quantity: 2.000.000 (unbelieved!!!!!!!)

FDC: 4 cover

If I can comment it, it is just another simple issue, print 2mil x 1.75 euro = 3 and half mil Euros cash (if it will be sold by face value all - hard to believe) - simple marketing deal, without any consideration for philatelist and philately in particular.

They didn't think, that it is almost, for every citizen of Montenegro one set per head?!

And let's calculate, that from it, few people will really used it postally! It will be very low catalog value, because of so high quantity printed, and I don't think someone will even look for it, because, except "Map on stamp", "Flag", and "Coat of Arms" topic, here we don't have major topic present. This will result in low demand from topical collectors, and simple offset printing with regular raster in use, give one image of "label" instead of "stamp".

I really hate to criticize someone effort to made job properly, but it is obvious that person in charge of this project, was in "economy" category and not in "history to made" category.

Let's see what Montenegro Post planned for 2006 year:

1. 15 Dec 2005 = first issue,
2. 30 Dec 2005 = "Europa" issue,

1. 3 Jan 2006 = 50 yr of "Europe" issue,
2. 7 Feb 2006 = "Winter Olympic",
3. 15 March 2006 = "Flora and Fauna",
4. 27 April 2006 = "Europa",
5. 30 May 2006 = "Football Champ",
6. 5 July 2006 = "Tourism",
7. 30 Aug 2006 = "100 yr of Perper Money",
8. 5 Sept 2006 = "Cultural Heritage",
9. 2 Oct 2006 = "Stamp Day",
10. 18 Oct 2006 = "Joy of Europe",
11. 3 Nov 2006 = "Ivo Vizin birth",
12. 15 Nov 2006 = "Nature Protection".

All in total 14.45 Euro for simple "one set year 2006" collection in face value.

Consider, that for "full collection" collector need all issued variety (set, block, sheetlet, booklet, FDC, CM) it will reach, for complete year set, more than 200+ US$, that will be hard to sell/buy mission! If we will add here postage cost, bank transfer fees, (post of Montenegro didn't accept credit card payment), calculation will reach around 300 US$ per year set, for printing quantity of 2mil per issue?????????

Too much to accept!!!!!

But in the end - let's see what will major catalogue say - maybe they sold all quantity to one dealer, who will keep supply in minimum, and that can rise prices?!

Oh - even forgotted: Official in post Montenegro, announced delivering to address worldwide some 500.000 cover, from this first issue, but I still didn't hear from anyone, that it actually happen!

Yeah, for now, it will be enough critics, in the future, I will try to post more picture, and hope some good news.

best regards to all, Chastven Miloje, Israel/Yugoslavia, Stamp Dealer with Balkan Countries material, balkanstamp@gmail.com