Possessions of the United States

The United States has had a few possessions during its history. These territories have either issued their own stamps or have used those of the United States.

The Panama Canal Zone used Panama stamps with “ Canal Zone” overprints from 1904 to 1928. From 1928 to 1979, the territory used stamps inscribed Canal Zone on the engraved stamps.

In 1898, Cuba used Cuban stamps as issued under Spanish rule, but with surcharges and overprints. In 1899, Cuba issued its first stamps ever that were free of Spanish design influence. Guam issued overprinted US stamps in 1899.

Hawaii issued stamps as a country from 1851 to 1893. In 1893 they used provisional stamps as they shifted from a kingdom to a republic. From 1894 to 1900 they used Hawaiian stamps even though those last three years they were a territory of the USA.

Puerto Rico used stamps that had a Spanish government design on it until 1898.  From 1898 to 1900 they used US overprinted stamps.  Since then they have used only American stamps.

The Marshall Islands used US stamps from WW2 onward up to 1984. At that point they issued their own stamps. Micronesia followed that same time range. Palau was the same except it started issuing stamps in 1983.

The Philippines used overprinted US stamps from 1899 to 1906. From 1906 until independence in 1946, they issued stamps inscribed “United States of America - Commonwealth of the Philippines.”

The Ryukyu Islands was under American control from 1949 to May 1972. During that time they issued their own stamps, at first with their name only in Japanese, but later with it both in Japanese and English.

As you can see, there have been many scenarios followed by American territories as they issued needed stamps.