World Stamp Catalogue/Basel (Switzerland)

Map showing the cantons of Switzerland

Historic map of the canton Basel

Revenue stamps of Basel (Switzerland), by purpose and issue date.

Canton of Basel-Stadt

The Canton of Basel-Stadt (Basel-City) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland. The city of Basel and the municipalities of Bettingen and Riehen form its territory. Stamps either depict the arms of Basel, or the arms and the basilisk, the guardian creature and traditional symbol. Stamps were issued for 15 different fiscal purposes, and for tourism tax.

Basel arms

Police

Arms of Basel.

1860-1884

• 
  1864, group 2, 50c unused
• 
  1870, group 3, 50c unused
• 
  1873, group 3, 50c unused
• 
  1874, group 3, 50c unused
• 
  1875, group 3, 50c unused
• 
  1880, group 3, 50c used
• 
  1883, group 3, 50c used

1932+

Size 36x39.5mm, perforated 11.5.

• 
  1Fr used
• 
  2Fr used
• 
  3Fr used
• 
  7.50Fr used
• 
  10Fr used
• 
  15Fr used
• 
  30Fr used

Size 21x27mm, perforated 11.5.

• 
  0.50Fr used
• 
  1Fr used
• 
  1.50Fr used (№ 83)
• 
  2Fr used (№ 84)
• 
  6Fr used (№ 92)

Different background design, perforated 10.75-11 but 11.5 and 15.25 exists. Thin paper (A) or thick paper (B).

• 
  0.75Fr used (A)
• 
  1Fr used (A)
• 
  1Fr used (B)
• 
  2Fr used (A)
• 
  2Fr used (B)
• 
  3Fr used (A)
• 
  5Fr used (A)
• 
  6Fr used (A)
• 
  8Fr used (A)
• 
  12Fr used (A)

• 
  1927, 2Fr used
• 
  1931, 2Fr used
• 
  1940, 2Fr used

Bill of exchange

Arms of Basel and basilisk.

Basilisk with arms sculpture

1870

Exist imperforate (A), perforated 11.5 (B), 11.75-12 (C) and 12.75-13 (D - only 7c).

• 
  7c used (B)
• 
  7c used (D)
• 
  10c blue used (B)
• 
  10c grey-blue used (aC)
• 
  20c used (C)
• 
  40c used (C)
• 
  60c used (B)
• 
  60c used (C)
• 
  80c used (C)
• 
  1Fr used (B)
• 
  1Fr used (B)
• 
  1.20Fr used (B)
• 
  1.20Fr used (C)
• 
  2Fr used (C)
• 
  3Fr used (C)
• 
  4Fr used (C)
• 
  5Fr used (C)
• 
  6Fr used (C)

1883

Three different perforations exist; imperforate (A), perforated 11.5 (B) or 12.75-13.25 (C). The year '1883' is very small in the design.

Perforation B, 11.5.
Pale rose-carmine (1) or rose-carmine (2):

• 
  10c used (B1)
• 
  40c used (B2)
• 
  60c used (B1)
• 
  1Fr used (B2)
• 
  2Fr used (B1)
• 
  3Fr used (B1)
• 
  4Fr used (B1)

Perforation C, 12.75-13.25.
Pale rose-carmine (1), pale rose-light red (2) or rose-carmine (3):

• 
  10c used (C1)
• 
  10c used (C3)
• 
  20c used (C1)
• 
  40c used (C3)
• 
  60c used (C3)
• 
  80c used (C3)
• 
  1Fr used (C1)
• 
  2Fr used (C2)
• 
  3Fr used (C2)
• 
  5Fr used (C3)
• 
  6Fr used (C2)

Bordereaux

Purpose classification C. Employers had to file a pay-roll report in the form of an individual periodical reporting leaflet (feuillet de cotisations) for each insured wage earner employed, plus a summary sheet (bordereau) for the entire group. The bordereau lists the name, registration number, and total contribution amount of each worker employed by the employer. Tax stamps were affixed on the bordereau as proof of the payment of social insurance contributions.

1884

Arms of Basel and basilisk. Colours range from light to dark brown. Three different perforations exist; imperforate (A), perforated 11.5 (B) or 12.75-13.25 (C).

Perforation B, 11.5.

• 
  20c used (B)
• 
  50c used (B)
• 
  1Fr used (B)
• 
  1.50Fr used (B)

Perforation C, 12.75-13.25.

• 
  20c used (C)
• 
  50c used (C)
• 
  2Fr used (C)
• 
  2.50Fr used (C)

1899

Arms of Basel. Colours range from brown to lilac-brown. Two different perforations exist; perforated 11.5 (A) or 12.75-13.25 (B). The 5Fr. and 10Fr. exist with watermark (D).

A perforation 11.5

• 
  10c used
• 
  50c used
• 
  1Fr used
• 
  2Fr used 'Fr. 2'
• 
  3Fr used
• 
  4Fr used

B perforation 12.75-13

• 
  10c used
• 
  10c used block of 4
• 
  20c used
• 
  20c used block of 4
• 
  50c used
• 
  50c used block of 4
• 
  1Fr unused
• 
  1Fr used
• 
  1Fr used block of 4
• 
  2Fr used '2 Fr.'
• 
  2Fr used '2 Fr.' block of 4
• 
  3Fr used
• 
  5Fr used
• 
  5Fr used block of 4
• 
  10Fr used, 'Fr.' 4.3mm (aB)

General revenue

1884

Arms of Basel and basilisk. Many shades of green are known. Three different perforations exist; imperforate (A), perforated 11.5 (B) or 12.75-13.25 (C).

• 
  10c unused (B)
• 
  10c used (B)
• 
  10c used (C)
• 
  10c used (C)
• 
  20c used (B)
• 
  40c used (B)

1899

Arms of Basel. With and without watermark. No watermark, three different perforations; perforated 11.5 (A), 12.75-13 (C) or 12.75-13 and partial horizontally imperforate (D). Watermarked; perforation 11.5 (B) and perforation 12.75-13 (E).

No watermark, perforation 11.5 (A).

• 
  10c used, small green 'C' (A)
• 
  10c used, small green 'C' (A)
• 
  20c used (A)
• 
  60c used (A)

No watermark, perforation 12.75-13 (C or D).

• 
  10c used, small green 'C' (C)
• 
  40c used (D)
• 
  60c used (C)
• 
  1Fr used (C)
• 
  2Fr used (C)
• 
  4Fr used (C)
• 
  5Fr used (C)
• 
  10Fr used (C)
• 
  15Fr used (D)
• 
  20Fr used (D)
• 
  30Fr used (C)

1914

Arms of Basel. Normal and thick paper (a), perforated 11.75.

• 
  10c used
• 
  20c used (a)
• 
  30c used

Stocks and bonds

1883

Arms of Basel and basilisk. Colours range from light to dark grey-blue.

Group 1
Inscription: 'OBLIGATIONEN & ACTIENSTEMPEL'. Two different perforations exist: 11.5 (A) or 12.75-13 (B).

• 
  10c used (A)
• 
  30c used (A)
• 
  60c used (A)
• 
  60c used (A)
• 
  1.20Fr used (A)
• 
  1.20Fr used (B)
• 
  3Fr used (A)
• 
  3Fr used (B)

Inscription: 'OBLIGATIONENSTEMPEL'. Perforated 11.5.

• 
  4.80Fr used
• 
  6Fr used
• 
  12Fr used
• 
  30Fr used

Bailiff (Betreibungsamt)

Purpose classification F. The Swiss bailiff or debt collecting office (Betreibungsamt) is a cantonal or communal public and independent office which is responsible for the appropriate legal procedures for initiation of proceedings.

1897

Arms of Basel and basilisk. Perforated 11.5, straight legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

• 
  80c used
• 
  1.50Fr used
• 
  2.50Fr used

1904

Numerals. Clear (A) or dark (B) colors. Perforated 11.5.

• 
  5c used (A)
• 
  10c used (A)
• 
  20c used (A)
• 
  50c used (A)
• 
  80c used (A)
• 
  80c used (B)
• 
  85c used (B)
• 
  90c used (B)
• 
  3Fr used (A)

1905

Arms of Basel and basilisk. Perforated 11.5, straight legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

• 
  2.50Fr used
• 
  5Fr used

1906-1944

Arms of Basel and basilisk. Perforated 11.5-11.75, splayed legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

• 
  0.10Fr used
• 
  0.20Fr used
• 
  1.50Fr used
• 
  1.50Fr used
• 
  1.50Fr used
• 
  1.55Fr used
• 
  1.60Fr used
• 
  1.70Fr used
• 
  2Fr unused
• 
  2.40Fr used
• 
  2.50Fr used
• 
  2.50Fr used
• 
  2.70Fr used (a)
• 
  3Fr used
• 
  5Fr used
• 
  20Fr used

1924-1944

Arms of Basel and basilisk. Surcharges on 1906-1944 issue. Perforated 11.5-11.75, splayed legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

• 
  0.10Fr on 2.70Fr - used
• 
  0.50Fr on 1.40Fr - used (a)
• 
  1Fr on 2.80Fr - used
• 
  1.60Fr on 1.55Fr -used
• 
  1.70Fr on 1.60Fr - used
• 
  2.50Fr on 0.10Fr - used
• 
  2.50Fr on 5Fr - used
• 
  2.50Fr on 5Fr - used
• 
  2.50Fr on 2.70Fr - used
• 
  8Fr on 3Fr - used

1913-1930

Arms of Basel and basilisk. Similar design as the 1897 issue. Perforated 11.5, straight legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

• 
  0.05Fr used
• 
  0.20Fr used
• 
  1Fr used

1920

Arms of Basel and basilisk. Similar design as the 1913-1930 issue. Perforated 15.25, straight legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

• 
  0.10Fr used
• 
  0.50Fr used
• 
  1.10Fr used
• 
  1.20Fr used
• 
  2.30Fr used
• 
  2.35Fr used
• 
  2.40Fr used
• 
  2.90Fr used
• 
  5Fr used
• 
  6.60Fr used
• 
  15Fr used
• 
  1.80Fr on 1.65Fr - used
• 
  2.50Fr on 2.35Fr - used
• 
  3Fr on 2.90Fr - used

Frontier police

Arms of Basel. 7 different issues are known.

1917-1927

• 
  1918, issue 2, 3.75Fr unused
• 
  1927, issue 3, 30Rp unused (C)
• 
  1927, issue 3, 50Rp used (C)
• 
  1927, issue 3, 50Rp used (D)
• 
  1927, issue 3, 1.80Fr used (D)
• 
  Issue 5, 3.50Fr used (C)
• 
  Issue 5, 3.50Fr used (C)

Registry office (Zivilstandsamt)

Stamps depict the Basel Minster (1911 issue) or the arms of Basel. 3 different issues are known between 1911 and 1958.

1911-1939

• 
  1911, 1.50Fr used
• 
  1911, 2Fr used (a)
• 
  1911, 8Fr used
• 
  1911, 12Fr used
• 
  1939, 1Fr used
• 
  1939, 2Fr used
• 
  1939, 3Fr used
• 
  1939, 4Fr used

Harbour due (Hafenabgabe)

Arms of Basel. From 1934 to the 1940's the Rhine Navigation Office ('Rheinschiffahrtsamt') used 21 different stamps (3 sets) to collect Rhine harbour dues. The precise issue date of series 2 and 3 is unknown.

1934-

• 
  1934, issue 1, 50c used
• 
  Issue 3, 10c used
• 
  Issue 3, 50c used
• 
  Issue 3, 1Fr used

Public health service

Numerals and 'Oe.K.K.' or 'Ö.K.K.', for Öffentliche Krankenkasse.

1937-1942

• 
  1938, 20c unused (A)
• 
  1938, 40c unused (B)
• 
  1938, 60c unused (A)
• 
  1942, 2Fr unused

War tax

Arms of Basel.

1941

• 
  0.30Fr unused
• 
  0.50Fr unused
• 
  0.50Fr unused
• 
  5Fr unused
• 
  25Fr unused
• 
  1.50Fr unused (B)
• 
  3Fr unused (B)

Bicycle control

Arms of Basel, stamps issued with talon.

1944-1975

• 
  1947, 1Fr unused

Tourism

Arms of Basel.

1942

Round period following 'RP' or 'FR'.

• 
  10Rp unused
• 
  20Rp unused (a)
• 
  50Rp unused rose (a)
• 
  1Fr unused

Square period following 'RP' or 'FR'.

• 
  10Rp unused
• 
  50Rp unused lilac
• 
  1Fr unused

Municipalities of the canton of Basel-Landschaft

There are 86 municipalities of the canton of Basel-Country, as of 2009., of which some issued revenue stamps.

Riehen

Riehen is a municipality, in the canton of Basel-Stadt. 3 different tax stamps were issued around 1907.

• 
  1907 0.50Fr (A)
• 
  1907 1Fr (A)
• 
  1907 1Fr (B)