View source for Postage stamps and postal history of Kazakhstan

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[[File:Stamp Kazakhstan 1992 50k.jpg|right|thumb|The first stamp pf Kazakhstan, issued 1992.]]
This is a survey of the '''[[postage stamp]]s and [[postal history]] of [[Kazakhstan]]'''.

Under the [[Soviet Union]], the [[Kazakh SSR]] postal service was an integral part of the Soviet system. The republic was periodically recognized in sets of stamps honoring the different parts of the USSR.

Kazakhstan became independent in December 1991, and wasted no time in organizing its own post. Its first stamp, depicting a warrior's suit found at the [[Issyk]] mound in 1969, was issued 23 March 1992. [[Overprint]]ed stamps of the USSR are also known from this early period, but the [[Philatelic Club of Almaty]] has concluded that their official status is uncertain; although some saw postal usage, they were not generally available in post offices, nor do their values reflect actual postal rates in effect. (Although they may be fabrications intended to deceive collectors, this has apparently not been proven or disproven.)

The first [[definitive stamp]]s were a set of five issued on 24 January 1993, four of which were a stylized design consisting of a [[yurt]] and spaceship (alluding to the country's [[Baikonur Cosmodrome]]), along with a high value of 50 rubles depicting the [[flag of Kazakhstan]].

The currency changed to [[tijn]] and [[Kazakhstani tenge|tenge]] around the end of 1993. Existing stamps, all denominated in [[Russian ruble|rubles]] and kopecks, were then sold as if they were in the new currencies. New stamps issued in the first half of 1994 were initially sold as denominated in tijn, then later in tenge. The yurt-and-spaceship design was re-issued in the new currency beginning in July 1994.

Kazakhstan has since followed a moderate pattern of issues, averaging 30 to 40 types per year. The space theme is frequent.

==See also==
*[[Kazpost]]

==Sources==
* [[Scott catalogue]]
* [[Stanley Gibbons]] Ltd: various catalogues
* {{cite web|url=http://www.jl.sl.btinternet.co.uk/stampsite/home.html|title=Encyclopaedia of Postal History|archiveurl=http://archive.is/cTw5G|archivedate=2012-10-10}}
*[[Stuart Rossiter|Rossiter, Stuart]] & John Flower. ''The Stamp Atlas''. London: Macdonald, 1986. ISBN 0-356-10862-7

== External links ==
* [http://www.kazpost.kz/en/ Kazakhstan Postal Service (Kazpost) homepage]
* {{ru icon}} [https://forum.philatelie.ru/topic2586.html Rare Kazakhstan stamps]
* [http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/overprsoviet_20020812/refreshercourse.asp?uID= Linn's column on overprinted Soviet stamps]
{{PostalhistoryAsia}}
{{Kazakhstan topics}}

[[Category:Communications in Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:History of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Philately by country|Kazakhstan]]