International Postage Meter Stamp Catalog/Libya
Libya
- The earliest meter stamp seen is dated 1959.
- The stamps are grouped according to political conditions:
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- A - issues of the Kingdom, 1959 to 1969, inscribed “UNITED KINGDOM OF LIBYA” or “KINGDOM OF LIBYA”
- B - issues of the Libyan Arab Republic, 1969 to 1977, inscribed “”L.A.R.” or, provisionally, with kingdom era inscription obliterated.
- C - issues of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, 1977 to 2011, inscribed “JAMAHIRIYA”, or “SPLAJ”.
GROUP A: Issues of the UNITED KINGDOM OF LIBYA, 1959 to 1969
- Crown at top of frank
A1. Universal “MultiValue” (MV), 1959. 
[$10]
- Tall, upright frank with simulated perforation outer border and straight-line inner border.
- Inscribed “UNITED KINGDOM/ OF LIBYA” at bottom.
- M# with “U” prefix in small boxes in the lower corners.
- TM: DC
- V/F:
0ooo
A2. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV), 1962. [$20]
- Frank not as tall as Type A1.
- Country name in banner at bottom.
- Small M# with “P.B.” prefix beneath banner at bottom center.
- TM: DC
- V/F: =000
A3. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV). [$10]
- Frank inscribed “KINGDOM OF LIBYA” in one line at bottom.
- M# with “U” prefix breaking frame lines at bottom center.
- TM: DC
- V/F: 0ooo
A4. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV), 1966. [$10]
- Very similar to Type A3 but M# with “P.B.” prefix.
- Value figures are of uniform thickness.
- TM: DC
- V/F: =000
GROUP B: Issues of the LIBYAN ARAB REPUBLIC, 1969 to 1977
B1. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV). [$50]
- As type A4, but crown removed from top center, and “KINGDOM OF LIBYA” obliterated at bottom.
- M# with P.B.45 seen.
- TM: DC
- V/F: =000
B2. Pitney Bowes “MultiValue” (MV). [$10]
- Arabic inscriptions at top and sides, “L.A.R.” at bottom.
- M# in Arabic breaks bottom frame line.
- TM: DC
- V/F: 0ooo
B3. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV). [$5]
- Nearly identical to Type B2 but value figures are of uniform thickness.
- TM: DC
- V/F: =000
B4. Hasler “F88” (MV). [$25]
- Horizontal frank with single, straight-line frame.
- Large eagle emblem at left of value figures.
- Inscribed “L.A.R.” below value figures.
- TM: SC
- V/F: 0,ooo
GROUP C: Issues of the SOCIALIST PEOPLE’S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRYA, 1977 to 2011
C1. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV), 1983.
- As Type B2 but inscribed “JAMAHIRYA” at bottom.
- M# breaks bottom frame lines.
- TM: DC
- V/F: =000
C2. Steiner-Primavera (MV).
- Similar to Type C1 but frank is taller and narrower.
- M# is above bottom frame lines.
- Very narrow spacing between TM and frank.
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- A. With Arabic character and number at bottom
- B. Blank below "JAMAHIRIYA"
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- TM: SC
- V/F:
000
NOTE: One of these stamps, A or B, was allegedly used by the Central Bank of Libya. It is possible though that they are essays.
C3. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV).
- Large square frank with straight-line border.
- Inscribed “JAMAHIRYA” in panel at bottom.
- TM: DC
- V/F: =000
NOTE: Only one example seen, and it has the frank frame inverted.
C4. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV).
- Large square frank with double straight-line frame line with dashed segments inside.
- Inscribed “SPLAJ” in bottom panel.
- Without meter number.
- One seen, without town mark.
- V/F: =000
In 1932 a meter was used by the Savings Bank of Bengasi. The meter had an Italian frank with town mark reading “BENGASI/ CIRENAICA”.
See Italy Type A7d for this rare stamp.