Russian Republics and more ... 01 A Siberian Federal District - Touva 1

The Tuva Republic within the Russian Federation:

map of the Russian Federation - showing Tuva Republic

Some history...
From the 19th century till 1921, Tanna Tuva was part of north-western Mongolia.
In fact Mongolia itself just declared itself independent from the (People's) Republic of China in the beginning of the 20th century.

People's Republic of Tannu Tuva, 1921-1926

People's Revolutionary Party Flag, 1921

In 1921, under Russian instigation, it became the Tuvan People's Republic. A treaty between the Soviet Union and the Mongolian People's Republic in 1926 affirmed the country’s independence, although no other countries formally recognized it.

Tuvan People's Republic 1926-1930

Tuvinian People's Republic State Flag, 1926-1930

The text, in Mongolian, reads ᠪᠦᠭᠦᠳᠡ ᠨᠠᠶᠢᠷᠠᠮᠳᠠᠬᠤ ᠲᠢᠸᠠ ᠠᠷᠠᠳ ᠤᠯᠤᠰ
Bügüde Nayiramdaqu Tuva Arad Ulus "Tuvan People's Republic"

The name changed to Tuvinian People's Republic in the Constitution of 24 November 1926, which established red flag with state arms in center.
The romanized alphabet was adopted in 1930. A new version of state arms introduced 28 June 1930. Flag red with state arms in center.
On 18 October 1930, the state arms again modified . Flag red with state arms in center.

Tuvan People's Republic between 1930-1941

In 1933, the coat of arms changed once more, resulting in yet another flag.

As a result of the Second World War, (a couple of days after Nazi Germany entered Russian soil), Tuva became part of the Soviet Union, as the Tuvan Autonomous Oblast.
This annexation was completed in 1944.
Meanwhile... in 1941 and 1943

Flag changed in new constitution of 25 June 1941.
Red with initials of state ("TAR") in gold in canton.

Cyrillic letters introduced 8 September 1943;
initials on flag changed ("TAP") as a matter of course, not law.

Russian influence over the region increased from 1944 on...

Tuvan Autonomous Oblast (1944-1961)

and in 1961 became the Tuva Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic...

Tuvinian ASSR State Flag, 1961-1978

The state flag changed 10 November 1978 once more, by addition of inscription in Tuvinian language ("Tuva ASSR") as well as in Russian.

Tuvinian ASSR State Flag, 1978-1992

With the end of the Soviet Union, in 1992, Tuva became the "Tuvan Republic" and they are a member of the Russian Federation.

Tuva Republic within the Russian Federation (1992 - )

 ... to be continued ...

Russian Republics and more ... 01 the first Federal District - Siberian Federal District

Once more, the 8 Federal Districts of Russia

8 Federal Districts of Russia

 One of the largest Federal Districts is the "Siberian Federal District" here shown in light blue:

   Siberian Federal District

In this District, we find the following Objects :

# Federal subject Capital/ Administrative center 1 Altai Republic Gorno-Altaysk 2 Altai Krai Barnaul 3 Republic of Buryatia Ulan-Ude 4 Zabaykalsky Krai Chita 5 Irkutsk Oblast Irkutsk 6 Kemerovo Oblast Kemerovo 7 Krasnoyarsk Krai Krasnoyarsk 8 Novosibirsk Oblast Novosibirsk 9 Omsk Oblast Omsk 10 Tomsk Oblast Tomsk 11 Tuva Republic Kyzyl 12 Republic of Khakassia Abakan
Let's have a more detailed look at this Federal District : More about each individual Subject, in my next post(s)

Russian Republics and more ... 00 Introduction

Collectors of stamps who might have seen them already, shiny stamps with views on landscapes, pop artists, politicians, ... even cartoons.
Those stamps look a bit suspicious and mention a name of an existing republic or (semi-) autonomous region within the Russian Federation.
Some have names in Cyrillic language, some in English, some even in two languages.

When looking up the names on the world map, the country or region does exists, and is not a tiny island somewhere in front of the Scottish coastline (as seen before), but does that means the stamps are real ?

In this first post, I will give an overview on all (current) entities within the Russian Federation, later on, I will tell more about some of those republics and regions.

In 1993 the current Constitution of Russia was adopted. At that time, 89 federal subjects were participating and recognised. By 2008 the number of federal subject had been decreased to (only) 83, because some areas merged. Each of those entities have a certain degree of independence and equal rights towards regional legislation and constitutions.

Map colors:
Blue = oblasts, green = republics, pale yellow = krais, orange = autonomous okrugs,
pink = federal cities, purple = autonomous oblasts, grey = not Russia.

To make it a bit easier, all subjects can be listed under one of the eight districts.

   Central Federal District

   Southern Federal District

   Northwestern Federal District

   Far Eastern Federal District

   Siberian Federal District

   Urals Federal District

   Volga Federal District

   North Caucasian Federal District

to be continued ...

Commemorative coins : The Netherlands 06

In 2009, the Netherlands celebrated their 400 year old trade relations with Japan.
Until today the Netherlands still have a friendly relationship with the land of the rising sun.
To commemorate this anniversary, the dutch coin issued a special € 5 coin.

The coin got the name 'Japan-five'. It has legal tender like all other € 5 coins, but remained mainly a collector's item.

coin card front

coin card back

The coin's design is best viewed with two coins next to eachother.
As I didn't take the coin out of the card, I had to look online to find a picture of both sides of the coin next to eachother.

both sides of the Japan-coin next to eachother

Now we see the full design. We see a fishermen's knot. As the dutch were (and are) famous sailors and fishermen. A knot is also a good symbol to show the connection between the two countries.


The coin was issued on a coin card
Amount : 343.859 pieces
Metal : silver 925/100
Size : Ø 29 mm
Weight : 11,9 g
Face value : € 5
Quality : circulation quality
Design : Esther de Vries en Richard Niessen

This coin is the 14th € 5 coin that was issued by the Royal Dutch Mint.

Odd stamps : 01d Perfumed stamps

I have posted previously some perfumed stamps.
Perfume smells good (or at least so it was ment to be), but there is more into a nose then picking up good odors.
No, I'm not talking about sticking your nose into someone else's business, actually the stamps I'm presenting today ARE everyone's business...

preserve nature - Brazil 1999

This set of stamps is special in 2 ways.
First of all it is printed on recycled paper, and that is of course a blessing for the already threatened forests, especially in Brazil.

Second special fact, is the centre of the 4 stamps.
Each of the 4 auto adhesive stamps shows a nature related image:
we see an ant eater, a flower, a leaf and the bark of a three.
One corner of each stamp is 'burning' and the four stamps together gives the impression that the middle part of the block is burned away.
The stamps warn us to prevent wildfires.

'smelly' centre of the 4 stamps

60 % of the Amazon rainforest are located in Brazil.
Wildfires (whether or not intentionally caused) are a threat to the deforestation of the largest green lung of the world, and in the end also the entire humanity.

The stamps do not only show 'fire', they also smell like burned items.

protect nature - detail

Stamps are printed as one big image spread of the 4 stamps.
The perforation is uncommon and absent towards the corners of the stamps.
The set was issued in 1999 by Brazilian postal services.