The Tokelau Christmas 2016 stamp issue reflected the traditional nativity story with fun, playful illustrations.
Issue information
The traditional nativity story is the reason for celebrating Christmas in Tokelau. Most Tokelauan families will spend the day attending church services and sharing food and gifts with loved ones.
This whimsical stamp issue celebrated key elements of the nativity story with fun, plaful illustrations and was sure to please any Christmas stamp collector. The shepherds depicted on the 45c stamp were watching their flock when an angel appeared to them and told them the news of Jesus's birth. The $1.40 stamp depicted Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, while the $2.00 stamp illustrated the Wise Men who visited Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Finally, the $3.00 stamp depicted the Angel that appeared to Mary to tell her the news that she would give birth to the Son of God.
The miniature sheet and first day covers continued this festive theme with further nativity illustrations, with the message ‘Manuia Te Kilihimahi’ - meaning ‘Merry Christmas’ in Tokelauan.
Product Listing for 2016 Tokelau Kilihimahi
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 45c 'Shepherds' gummed stamp. Shepherds were watching over their flock when a bright star appeared in the sky. An Angel told them the news that Jesus was born, and they left for Bethlehem to visit him. |
$0.45 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.40 'Mary, Joseph and Jesus' gummed stamp. Whilst in Bethlehem for a census, Mary and Joseph took shelter in a stable as they couldn’t find room at the Inn. It was there that Jesus was born and placed in a manger. |
$1.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.00 'Wise Men' gummed stamp. Three Wise Men followed a bright star in the sky to where Jesus lay. There, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. |
$2.00 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $3.00 'Angel' gummed stamp. An Angel appeared to Mary to tell her the news that she would give birth to the Son of God, and she was to name him Jesus. |
$3.00 |
 |
Miniature Sheet | Mint, used or cancelled gummed miniature sheet. | $6.85 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with four gummed stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.35 |
 |
Miniature Sheet First Day Cover | First day cover with miniature sheet affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $7.35 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 7 December 2016 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed |
| Denominations and designs: | $0.45, $1.40, $2.00, $3.00 |
| Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by: | Hannah Stancliffe-White, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Collectables and Solutions Centre, New Zealand Post, Whanganui, New Zealand |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 16 |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.33 |
| Special blocks: | Plate and value blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 6 December 2017. |