Capital: Maseru Population: 2,607,000 Languages: Sesotho, English Currency: Lesotho Loti LESOTHO

as BASUTULAND

1933

DEFINITIVES
(SG 1-10)

1/2d	1d	2d

3d	4d

6d	1s	2s6d

5s	10s

The first time I have seen a set of herpetological stamps start a country's stamp issues, Basutoland/Lesotho nos.1-10 Definitives feature King George V and a large basking Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). There were ten stamps in this issue but so far I have only managed to obtain eight of them. They certainly have a historical charm to them.

1938

DEFINITIVES
(SG 18-28)

1/2d	1d	1 1/2d

2d	3d

4d	6d	1s

2s6d	5s

10s

The second set of Definitives were the same design with King George V replaced by King George VI and another stamp value added. Again I possess all but two of the issue.

1956

POSTAGE DUE
(SG D3-D4)

1d	2d

Two postage due stamps which include a coat of arms featuring a crocodile, presumed to be a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). Four more such stamps were issued in 1961 with decimal surchages followed by two decimal stamps in 1964.

as LESOTHO

1967

1st ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE
(SG 143)

25c

Of the three stamps issued for the 1st Anniversary of Independence, one features a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), the national emblem.

1979

REPTILES
(SG 371-374)

4s Mampharoane Agama atra	10s Qoaane Bitis atropos
15s Leupa Gherrosaurus flavigularis	25s Masumu Hemachatus haemachatus

This is an especially attractive set of four stamps featuring species not often illustrated ie. the Southern rock agama (Agama atra) rather than the ubiquitous red and blue male Common agama (Agama agama), the Berg adder (Bitis atropos) instead of the Puff adder (Bitis arietans) and the Ringhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) rather than the more usual cobras of genus Naja. Note also the correct and careful spelling of the similar but slightly differing generic and specific words in the name of this cobra, a common error made by the inexperienced is to spell the words the same way. Surprising, therefore, that a typo was made in the name of the Yellow-throated plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus flavigularis). Sesotho rather than English common names are also provided.

View the First Day covers for this stamp

DEATH CENTENARY OF SIR ROWLAND HILL
(SG 375)

Of three stamps issued to mark the death of Sir Rowland Hill, who initiated postal services with the Penny Black in the UK, ons stamp includes the 1933 King George V 1d definitive with slumbering Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus),.

1987

500th ANNIVERSARY OF DISCOVERY OF AMERICA BY COLOMBUS
(SG 783,785)

15s Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas

4m West Indian ground iguana Cyclura carinata

A set of four stamps and a minsheet commemorating Colombus' arrival in the Caribbean, one stamps featuring a Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) probably a source of meat for the crew, and the minisheet, with the caption "Strange birds and reptiles abound in the New World" is illustrated with a West Indian ground iguana (Cyclura carinata).

1994

FROGS & TOADS
(SG 1205-1208)

35s Aquatic river frog Rana vertebralis	50s Bubbling kassina Kassina senegalensis
1m Guttural toad Bufo gutturalis	1m 50 Common river frog Rana angolensis

A set of four stamps featuring frogs of Lesotho, issued for the Philokorea 94 stamp exhibition. A nice set of studies.

5m Black spotted frog Rana Nigromaculatus

5m

Also issued for the Philokorea 94 stamp exhibition, but seemingly separately, two minisheets featuring an unexciting and eclectic mix of species. The one is illustrated with a Korean Black-spotted frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) but the other has an unnamed anuran statue. Ugly stamps.

Associated links on this site:
Lesotho herps on non-herps stamps