Montenegro Postage dues (under: Serbia and Montenegro):

Will just inform, that after destruction of Yugoslavia, and separation of four Republics (Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia), what was left from Yugoslavia, are renamed as Serbia and Montenegro.

In Serbia, was money in use DINAR, and Montenegro go with EURO.

Some of postage stamps and Postage Dues was valid in both Republics, and some are issued just for one, so was also this Postage Dues.

Montenegro Postage Due issues:
Here it is shown from the start of independence, as it is issued at the very problematic period, that even Michel catalog didn't listed it in 2015 edition under Montenegro. Reason are that this issues are made at the time when Montenegro was part of short lived independent country named Serbia and Montenegro, and I don't see it in Michel catalog listed in Yugoslavia or Montenegro.

I need to mention, that few of this stamps are printed in sheet of 100, and also in sheets of 8 stamps + 1 gutter on middle of sheet. There are also (in sheets of 100) stamps with engraver mark, so if You have any sample of it, check first if it have engraver mark, because market prices are very different for this stamp. 

Some of stamp, with engraver mark, on FDC can reach even 250/300 euros on market, so, keep an eye on it!

4-2009: Art in Montenegro #2, issued April 8, 2009

Let say one simple and clear! Why they still don't care about artistic improvement, more quality and more imagination in producing stamp with topic "ART"?

This three value set, that celebrated 125 year of Balkan Empress Performance, 75 year of birth V. Nikolic and 525 year Crnojevic Monastery.

All is important for Montenegro itself, even that Monastery can not be classified like "ART" but more to "Religion" or Architecture, or probably History - because Icons (that are not shown on stamp itself) that existed inside monastery - hardly it can go to "Art" topic!

This three stamp, ( really like this one with portrait of V. Nikolic, that illustrated artist in dare situation, probably bank personal problem, possible economic hard time in theatre where he worked?) have an face value of 1.50 euro, will be easy obtained from any dealer by face value, probably You will pay more for tab version of set, and sheetlet of 9 stamp will ask You for premium.

5-2009: Fauna-Fish, issued April 16, 2009

What to say about? Nothing! Instead to show us from more close view this 4 fish, we have one artistic message - with some "line" included. Probably it is "genetic" line, or "road map" - or "road to pan"??? Funny, but I saw many better made, more precise made issue with this topic.

Set alone have just 1.75 euro face value, no - this time from dealer You will not received it by face value, but with 20% more probably yes. Fish on stamp is: Bleak, Black umber, Ukljeva and Krap (Alburnus Scoranza, Heckel & Kner 1858, Cyprinus Carpio, Linneaus 1758).

Sheetlet of 5 set and one tab will cost You more than face value, but it is unavoidable, because this topic is frequent.

6-2009: EUROPA 2009 issue, "Astronomy", issued April 16, 2009

You know, I saw many "wrong" design in my life - but this one can be "classic" of all! Probably they intended to made it for "Children's Art" or other, but for EUROPA issue it didn't fit! From first sight, someone will see one ice cream cornet, and "Christmas Star" - one is common in both stamp, and it is some kind of ice cream with choco-chips, that need to be an comet. what to do - not everyone have in mind that what I have, and not everyone like what I like.

How much money to prepare? Face value for two stamp and block is just 3.00 euro, but You will not have it by this prices.

7-2009: Tourism in Montenegro, issued April 16, 2009

Little improvement in graphic design, but nothing new in stamp market, what they want to say and tell us is that Tourism is made from water skiing, rafting, canyon rafting and paragliding. Something that is common to all tourism destination around globe! Let's say - that if I will propose other that this? What You thing if I will made it from Sv. Stefan view of old building, sunshine in Budva coast, probably mountain panoramic view where is Ostrog monastery, and one nice flight attendant in airport, with smile of course!? But, it is what we have, and set of 4 stamp will cost 1.75 euro face value, because nature, sport, and other topic where this issue will fit, this set will be in demand. Don't forget that here we have also one booklet option, inside booklet is one set in different design (margin) than sheetlet!

8-2009: 300 year of Njegosh, issued June 4, 2009

Not bad, we have one portrait of this great man, clearly visible, with part of his work in behind portrait. Don't mix it with other great man from this family (P. P. Njegosh) - here is mentioned Archbishop Vasilije Petrovic Njegosh. He was ruler of dynasty from 1740, during his time come proclamation of independence from Turkish Empire and bring more close ties with Russian. Many achievement made, from writing first history of Montenegro (1754) to education and other.

Can You show me country with 300 yr of history - oh yes - but how much?

Face value is affordable, just 0.40 euro, and it is printed in printing sheets of 20 - which I suggest to obtain.

9-2009: Sport #II, Universiade 2009, Belgrade, Serbia, issued June 4, 2009

If You will not look closely at this stamp, You will not find about what is talking, even that logo and mascot of this sport evening is there! Probably You will think that it is talking about "Youth Day" maybe "Student Day" and if You are extreme, "Proletariat of whole world - Unite"! No - I'm not cynic - and I really like Montenegro (my ancestor come from there) - but, I like to say thrue straight to the face. Face value 0.50 euro, sheet of 8 + one tab, set with tab - prepare premium to pay.

For now it is all - let's pray that future issue will come more "better" and more focused to the topic.

2008 year:

Almost 9 month pass till I received first shipment from Post of Montenegro Phila Services, terrible degradation in service! I don't know why, and Montenegro Post also! Simple reason stated that they are overloaded with orders and it was reason why are late delivery of new issue. I personally think, that they simply don't care about "small order" client (up to 20 set per standing order). In the end I receive it and will say just simple comment - I start to scream!!!!!

First let's see what year programmed say: They planned 13 issue for this year, but from first issue it was broken promises! And design? Oj-vaj-voj! Nothing to say good - it is continuing with "full fat" color in use, and with second issue is "less than need" color in use, they go from far start to far end with color usage! Visible is glorify European Union, and some kind of self promotion.

Let's start with 1-2008 Stabilization and Association Agreement between Montenegro and EU.

Issued Feb 1 2008, with one "combination" (I think without good reason, except to grow revenue), of stamp issued. It is single 1 value stamp like set (0.60 e face) but here come surprise and You will find one booklet issued, that have two stamp in set (0.50+0.40 e face) what is reason for it I don't know, maybe to rise money and pay expenses for conference with EU. For collectors, nothing left, just if someone collect EU logo on stamp! By my opinion, don't deserve attention this issue.

2-2008: 

Flora: Someone will say - great, but see this image! If flora and flowers on this earth is like that - it must be something is wrong with minerals - poor picture, all in yellow/creme color, four stamp in set. Issued on Feb 20 2008, 0.25+0.40+0.50+0.60 euro face value, not so cheap for this set, issued in sheet of 5 + 1 tab on middle, and quantity printed is satisfactory - just 28 000 set available, two FDC in set that have just 1000 pcs printed.

3-2008 Beijing Olympic: 

I really don't want to comment! Even less advanced countries have better design than Montenegro! Issued on march 20 2008, 2 stamp in set (0.60+0.90 e face value) map and coat of arms in design, yellow/orange color, and it is all what i can say. Quantity go up (because topic and judgement that it will be sold - they think), there are 100 000 set printed, and FDC is big 3 000 pcs. Let's wait and see what and where will catalogue placed this set in future.

4-2008 EUROPE: 

issue for this year are letter writing, and I can comment just simple - good pupils home work done!!!! It is far away from say Serbian issue - why they don't use other designer, more professional, more with "vision" what is worth to put on postage stamp???

Issued on April 2 2008, 0.90 and 0.60 e face value, 60 000 sets printed and 2 000 pcs of FDC. One block printed with two stamp on it (also 0.60 and 0.90 face value) block have 4 000 pcs printed.

5-2008: 

go to Marko Miljanov Popovic (my parents family name) - who was writer, Duke and field marshal. Possibly worth to issue this stamp, but from collectors point - nothing special. One stamp in issue (0.60 e face value) 28 000 stamp printed, FDC in 2 000 pcs printed.

6-2008 150 yr of Grahovac battle: 

that happen on April 30 1858 (my birthday!!!! months and day), it is very important for Montenegrin history, because with this victory over Turkish occupation army - is established borders of Montenegro Kingdom. Low face value, just 0.25 euro and printed in 28 000 copy, FDC in 2 000 pcs.

7-2008 Tourism: 

- what's for this issue? Why to show some kind of nature reserve that will never attract even student tourist? All what is presented here are four places, four untouched places in Montenegro, showing beach, village, old city and some kind of lake! But if it is "best" attraction that are shown on CM and stamps - I will prefer to go to Serbia!

Again they made "game" with collectors, and issued it in set format, booklet, format - different arrangement for same stamp plus that booklet are sold without and with cover. May 21 2008, 0.25+0.40+0.50 and 0.60 euro face value, 28 000 printed set, and FDC is 2x 1 000 pcs.

8-2008 Chess Olympic in Dresden: 

- one stamp in set, nicely design, 0.60 euro face value, probably will be shortage on market because chess is very popular for collectors. Issued on June 18 2008 with standard 28 000 stamp printed, FDC have it on just 1 000 pcs.

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.