Following the publication from the previous blog page about the July 3, 2024 announced as unexpected Liechtenstein-Mexico joint issue, some doubts raised about the real status of this issue. Both countries issued a pair of identical se-tenant stamps showing mountains from both countries : Alpspitz (Liechtenstein, 1943m) and Mineral del Chico, Hidalgo (Mexico, 3200m). 

Comments came from Luis Malanco (Mexico), Lars Kersten, Jaap Sarelse (The Netherlands), Enzo Cafaro (Italy), and Philatelie Liechtenstein. Thanks to all of them.

While Mexican Post provided all details about the Mexican stamps (sheets of 25 pairs, printing 50,000 pairs, FDC available), the Liechtenstein stamps were never disclosed on the Philatelie Liechtenstein web site. These stamps are not listed in the official Liechtenstein philatelic programme, are not for sale through the web page and are not described in the June or September Liechtenstein official brochures. Official events in Liechtenstein and Mexico took place to celebrate the anniversary of this diplomatic relationship, in the presence of representatives of both postal entities (see below some illustrations of web media pages provided by Luis). All stamps were disclosed during these events.

(VIPs mentionned in these blogs: Luis Seger is Executive Director of Liechtensteinische Post; Pietro Piffaretti is the Ambassador of Switzerland in Mexico; Rocio Barcenas is a Director of Correos de Mexico; Cecilia Jaber is the Ambassador of Switzerland and Liechtenstein in Mexico; Dominique Hasler is the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport with the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein). Here are also two links with events organized in Liechtenstein (Link 2). All these events took place on July 2, 2024.

Lars pointed to the fact that the Liechtenstein stamps bear the name “Liechtenstein” instead of “Fürstentum Liechtenstein”. The country name alone applies apparently to personalized stamp, which are not available through the official channels. The day following the issue, the stamp was considered by Liechtenstein Post as sold out. Answers from Philatelie Liechtenstein (via Jaap): “The stamps of 30 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico & Liechtenstein have been issued as a small edition in digital printing and are unfortunately already sold out.” Later additional information came from the same source under the form: “1. The Mexico-Liechtenstein joint issue was a personal stamp under the authority of Liechtenstein Post. 2. The issue number was very low, and we are unable to provide any further information on that question. 3. There is no FDC as FDCs are only produced for official issues.“. We still are waiting for information about who gave the order for printing and who acquired all the stocks.

In conclusion, these Liechtenstein stamps must be considered as a private issue. These stamps will be described in the catalogue, but under the entry code [N20240704], ‘N’ standing for ‘Non-approved’, based on the criteria defining a true joint issue in Catalogue Vol 1. However, these Liechtenstein stamps do exist (even if in a very limited edition), can officially be used for postage and therefore have to be considered as true stamps. It is up to each collector to decide if he wants to integrate ‘N’ stamps in his own collection. We have not seen these stamps so far and do not know from where to buy them. Additional information remains welcome.