# Romania

* The first meter appeared in 1929 while the country was still a Kingdom. Romania became a Republic in 1948.
* The stamps are grouped according to inscription and usage as follows:
       A – Frank inscribed “ROMANIA / POSTA” (Kingdom issues)
       B – Frank inscribed “REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA”
       C – Frank inscribed “R.P.R.”
       D – Frank inscribed “R. P. ROMINA”
       E – Provisional stamp without country inscription
       F – Frank inscribed “POSTA ROMANA” or "POSTA ROMINA"
       G – Frank inscribed "R. S. ROMINA"
       PO – Stamps generated only by machines in Post Offices

## GROUP A: Frank inscribed “ROMANIA / POSTA” at top and “LEI” at bottom

* Crown in lower corners.
* License number small at top of frank and repeated in bottom of TM.
* Issues of the Kingdom of Romania
A1. Universal “Midget” (LV3/5), 1929.
    Upright frank with simulated perforation border.
    L#s 11-20, 41-45, 56-75, 101-110.
    TM: DC or nil510]
    Values: 1,00 , 2,00 , 4,00 , 5,00 , 6,00 , 7,50 , 10,00 [$5]
    Values: 3,00 , 20,00 [$25]
                                                          a: With “POSTA” removed [$35]
A2. Universal "5" (FV-5), 1932. [$25]
    As Type A1 but value figures larger, outlined.
    L#s 205 and 234 seen.
    TM: DC with stars
    Value seen: 10
NOTE: Proofs exist with values 0,50, 1, 4 and 5.
A3. Francotyp “A” (MV), 1929.
    As Types A1 and 2 but frank is larger, variable in size.
    Spacing between centers of date and value figures around 60-61 mm.
    With 4-digit S# high between TM and frank.
    L#s 1-10, 21-31, 46-55, 76-100 and 111 up.
    TM: BIC with stars.
    V/F: 0.00 00.00
A4. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1929.
    Similar to Type A3 but wider spacing between TM and frank.
    With 4-digit S# high between TM and frank.
                                                                                  A: Spacing between centers of date and value figures 78-79 mm
                                                                                  B: Spacing between centers of date and value figures 68 mm (L# 145 only) [$10]
                                                                                  C: Extremely wide pacing between centers of date and value figures, 92 mm. L# 122 only [$10]
                                                                                  D: Extremely wide pacing between centers of date and value figures, 118 mm. L# 126 only [$10]
    TM: DC (usually with stars at the sides), SC
    F/V: 00.00 0.00
                                                                                  a: Post Office stamp. As A, L#s 9, 51, 130, 155, 162 and 200. V/F: 000 0000 00,00 [$5]
A5. Francotyp “C” (MV). [$10]
    Frank as Type A4 but with narrow spacing (non-standard for the Model "C").
    L#s 4, 8 and 140 known.
    TM: DC
    F/V: 00.00 000.00
A6. Hasler “F22” (MV), 1930. [$5]
    Frank similar to Types A3 and 4 but with 5-digit S# between frank and TM.
    L#s 32-40.
    TM: DC with internal square around date
    V/F: ★0,oo ★00,oo

## GROUP B: Franks inscribed “REPUBLICA POPULARA ROMANA” at top, “POSTA”, “LEI POSTA” or “POSTA LEI” at bottom

* The first stamp designs of the Romanian Republic

#### Sub-group BA: “REPUBLICA” above “POPULARA ROMANA”

BA1. Francotyp “A” (MV), 1948. [$25]
    As Type A3 but with new inscriptions.
    “POSTA LEI” at bottom.
    L# in bottom of TM but not at top of frank.
    L# 21 seen.
    TM: BIC
    V/F: 0.00
BA2. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1948.
    As Type A4 but with new inscriptions.
    “POSTA LEI” at bottom.
    With or without 4-digit impression counter number.
    L# at top of frank and in bottom of TM.
    Frank variable in size.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.00 (A) 0.00 (A)
    V/F: 00.00 (A) ◆0.00 (O) [$5]
       a: L# at side of TM rather than bottom
       b. Post Office stamp. Frank only (without town mark) used to surcharge postal cards. V/F: 0.30
BA2.1. Francotyp “C” (MV).
    As Type BA2 but frank has single scalloped outer frame line, straight on the inside.
    With “LEI/ POSTA” at bottom.
    L# 70 known.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0.00
BA3. Francotyp “C” (MV). [$10]
    As Type BA2 but frank is wider than tall.
    “LEI POSTA LEI” at bottom.
    L# at top of frank and sides of TM.
    L#s 10 and 302 seen.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.00 (A) ◆0.00 (O)
                                                                                        a. Date only, without town mark
BA4. Francotyp “C” (MV). [$15]
    As Type A5 but with new inscriptions.
    L# at top of frank and sides of TM.
    L# 140 seen.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.00 (A) 00.00 (A)
BA5. Francotyp “Cc” (MV). [$10]
    As Type BA2 but date figures are more even and have stops after D and before Y.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ◆0.00 (O)
BA6. Francotyp “A” (MV).
    As Type BA1 but the frank is wider than tall and inscribed "LEI POSTA LEI" at bottom.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 0.00

#### Sub-group BB: “REPUBLICA POPULARA” above “ROMANA”

BB1. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1948.
    As Type BA2 but with changed inscription in smaller letters.
    “POSTA LEI” at bottom.
    Franks vary considerably in size, upright to nearly square.
    Usually, but not always, with impression counter number between TM and frank.
    L# at top of frank and sides of TM.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0.00 00.00 00.00
    V/F: 0.00 (G) [$5]
       a: Post Office stamp, L# 116. V/F: 00.00 (A) [$20]
       b: As a, date as YYY MMM DD (3-digit year, e.g. “948” for 1948). L# 147
BB2. Hasler “F22”/Francotyp “C” hybrid? (MV). [$15]
    This stamp, L# 85, has a Hasler “F22” frank and a Francotyp “C” town mark, spacing, and 4-digit S#.
    A likely explanation is that the Hasler printing die was adapted for use in the Francotyp meter.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ★0.00
BB3. Francotyp “A” (MV).
    As Type BB1 but with narrower (Francotyp "A") spacing.
    TM: BIC
    V/F: 0.00

## GROUP C: Franks inscribed "R.P.R." at top

C1. 1956?, Universal “Midget” (LV3/5). [$50]
    Small frank as Type A1 but inscribed “R. P. R. / POSTA” at top and “LEI” at bottom.
    L# at top of frank and bottom of TM.
    L# 16 seen.
    TM: DC
    Values seen: 0,15 0,25
C2. Francotyp “C” (MV). [$50]
    Frank inscribed as Type C1, but larger frank and much wider spacing.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00,00
C3. Francotyp "A" (MV). [Appears to be scarce. Value unknown]
    Frank with "R.P.R." alone at top, "POSTA LEI" at bottom.
    One example seen, L# 160.
    TM: DC
    F/V: 0.00

## GROUP D: Franks inscribed “R. P. ROMINA” at top

D1. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1956. [$5]
    Frank wider than tall.
    “POSTA” at bottom.
    “LEI” at both left and right of the value figures.
    With or without 4-digit impression counter number between TM and frank.
    L# at bottom of TM.
    L#s 49, 51 and 191 seen.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ◆0,00 (O) 0.00 (A)

## GROUP E: Frank without country inscription

E1. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1965. [Appears to be scarce. Value unknown]
    Frank as Type BA2 or BB1 but blank at top, without country inscription.
    This is possibly a provisional design used during the transition to the new "POSTA ROMANA" (Group F) inscription.
    One seen, Bucharest L# 78, printed in black.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.00 (A)
E2. Francotyp “C” (MV). [Appears to be scarce. Value unknown]
    Frank as Type E1 but with "POSTA" at top and "LEI" alone at bottom.
    This is possibly a provisional design used during the transition to the new "POSTA ROMANA" (Group F) inscription.
    One seen, Sibiu L# 165.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0,00 (A)

## GROUP F: Franks inscribed “POSTA ROMANA” (or “POSTA ROMINA”)
#### Sub-group FA: Frank is rectangle, “POSTA ROMANA” (or “POSTA ROMINA”) at top, "LEI" at bottom

FA1. Francotyp “A” (MV). [$25]
    Spacing between centers of date and value figures approximately 60 mm.
    With 4-digit impression counter number high between TM and frank.
    L# at bottom of TM.
    L# 4 seen.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0.00
                                                                               FA2. Francotyp “C” (MV).
                                                                               As FA1 but 77-78 mm between centers of date and value figures.
                                                                               Date without stops.
                                                                               Month either numeral or abbreviated in letters.
                                                                               TM: DC
                                                                               V/F: 0.00 (A) 00.00 (A) ◆0.00 (O)
                                                                               V/F: 0,00 (G) [$10]
                                                                               Note. Variations in the size of the frank are known, as well as differences in the size of the lettering within it (see image at right).
                                                                               FA3. Francotyp “Cc” (MV), 1967.
                                                                               Very similar to Type FA2 but date figures more even and with stops after D and before Y.
                                                                               With or without 4-digit impression counter number.
                                                                                  A: Wide spacing between TM and frank
                                                                                  B: Narrow spacing
                                                                               TM: DC
                                                                               V/F: ◆0.00 ◆00.00
                                                                                  a. Town mark inverted (shown)
FA4. Francotyp “Cc” (MV). [Appears to be quite scarce. Value unknown]
    As Type FA3A but with “POSTA ROMINA” (instead of “ROMANA”) at top.
    This may be an error.
    L# 96 seen.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ◆0.00
FA5. Hasler “F22” (MV). [$15]
    Square frank.
    Wide spacing with 5-digit impression counter number between TM and frank.
    Date with stops after D and M and centered after Y.
    L# at bottom of TM.
    L# 35 seen.
    TM: DC
    V/F: =0.oo
FA6. Hasler “F88” (MV). [$15]
    Similar to Type FA5 but without impression counter number between TM and frank.
    The frank frame has greater distance between the inner and outer lines than with Type FA5.
    Date with Roman month with stops between D, M and Y.
    L# 12 seen.
    TM: DC with horizontal lines above and below date
    V/F: ◇0.00
FA7. Postalia (MV).
    Frank is plain, upright rectangle with break at bottom center.
    Value figures are narrow.
    L# at bottom of TM.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 0.00
FA8. Postalia "EFS" (MV).
    Frank as Type FA6 but taller.
    Value figures are narrow.
    With 4-digit impression counter number high left of TM.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ◆0,00
NOTE: This meter model is not otherwise known printing an impression counter number. The status is ambiguous.
FA9. Frama "M/E" (MV).
    Wide frank with very narrow spacing.
    Value figures are thick.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 000,00
FA10. Pitney Bowes ”Paragon" (digital).
    Frank is small, simple, horizontal rectangle with post horn logo at upper left and “POSTA / ROMANA” at upper right.
    “LEI” centered at bottom.
    Value figures quite tall.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 000,00
FA11. Frama “Sensonic” (digital).
    Frank is small, simple, horizontal rectangle with post horn logo at upper left and “POSTA / ROMANA” at upper right.
    “LEI” centered at bottom.
    Value figures quite tall.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 000,00
FA12. Neopost “SM24/SM26” (digital).
    Similar to Types FA11 and FA12 but the frank is slightly smaller and the post horn logo is smaller.
    The value figures are smaller than with FA12.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 000,00
FA13. Hasler "Mailmaster” (MV).
    Similar to Type FA12 but the frank is smaller.
    The value figures are not as tall as with FA12.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 000,00
FA14. Pitney Bowes "A900” (digital).
    Similar to Type FA12 but the value figures are very widely spaced.
    TM: SC
    V/F: 000.00
FA15. Pitney Bowes(digital).
    Very narrow spacing between TM and frank.
    Three columns of digits stacked at left of the TM
    TM: SC
    V/F: 000.00

#### Sub-group FB: Frank is open without frame lines at top and left

FB1. Pitney Bowes “A900” (MV), 1965.
    Horizontal frank with scalloped border at left and bottom.
    Post horn logo at top left of “POSTA/ ROMANA”.
    “LEI” below value figures.
    L# with “S.P.” prefix at bottom of TM.
    TM: DC.
    V/F: 0000 00000
FB2. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).
    Similar to Type FB1 but taller and wider design with value figures centered rather than at right.
    L# with “S.P.” prefix at bottom of TM.
                                                          A. Scalloped border line thick and heavy
                                                          B. Scalloped border line thin
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00000
FB3. Audion “Gamma Primavera” (MV).
    Similar to Type FB2B but much smaller.
    Identification number (License number?) with “RAPR” prefix at bottom of TM.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0000
                                                 a. Framed slogan used for registration, with large "R" and number in boxes
FB4. Pitney Bowes "EasyMail" (digital).
    Similar to Type FB1 but with three columns of numbers at left of TM.
    The town mark is larger than with Type FB1.
    Identification number with “PR” prefix at bottom of TM.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00000
FB5. Pitney Bowes "Paragon" (digital).
    Similar to Type FB1 but taller design with most of the top inscription higher than the right frame line.
    Identification number with "CNPR" or "PR" prefix at bottom of TM.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00000
FB6. Neopost "SM26" (digital).
    Relatively small design with heavy but narrow value figures.
    L# with "PR" prefix at bottom of TM.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00000

#### Sub-group FC: Rectangular frank as with sub-group FA but with "POSTA" at top and "ROMANA" at bottom

FC1. Francotyp “C” (MV).
    As FA2 but with different inscriptions.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0.00 (A)

## GROUP G: Frank inscribed "R.S.ROMINA"

G1. Francotyp “C” (MV).
    Nearly identical to Type D1 except inscribed “R.S. ROMINA” rather than “R.P. ROMINA”.
    This is possibly a error.
    One example seen without L#.
    TM: DC
    F/V: ◆0.00

## GROUP PO: Special stamps generated only by Post Office meters

* For other Post Office stamps see type A4a, BA2b, and BB1a/b.

#### Sub-group PO-A: Issues of the Kingdom

PO-A1. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1939. [$15]
    Rectangular design with straight-line border.
    Columns of short horizontal dashes at sides.
    Country name and “POSTA” in boxes.
    L# in bottom of TM.
    L#s 1 and 170 seen.
    TM: BIC
    V/F: 00.00
PO-A2. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1946. [$5]
    Similar to Type A4 but frank is wider than tall, 34 x 30 mm.
    L# at top of frank and repeated at bottom of TM.
    L#s 162 and 200 seen.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00,00 000,00
PO-A3. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1947. [$15]
    Frank with hash marks as with Type PO-A1 but much wider.
    L# above frank and repeated at bottom of TM.
    L# 170 seen.
    TM DC
    V/F: 00,00 + rosette

#### Sub-group PO-B: Issues of the Republic

PO-B1. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1948. [$10]
    As Type BA2 but “POSTA” in rectangle below “LEI” at bottom.
    L# in bottom of TM.
    L#s 102 and 155 seen.
    TM: DC, SC
    V/F: 00,00
PO-B2. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1948. [$10]
    Frank is horizontal rectangle with straight-line border.
    “REPUBLICA/ POPULARA ROMANA” at top, LEI above boxed “POSTA” at bottom.
    L#s 170 and 200 known.
    TM: DC with stars
    V/F: 00,00 00,00
PO-B3. Francotyp “C” (MV), 1948.
    Frank is horizontal rectangle with simulated-perforation outer border and straight-line inner border.
    “PTT” diagonal in both upper corners.
    “LEI POSTA LEI” across bottom.
    With or without 4-digit impression counter number high between TM and frank.
    L# at top of frank and repeated at bottom of the town mark.
    L#s 138, 151, 170 seen.
    Date figures without stops.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 000 (A) 00,00 (A)
                                                                                        a. With date but without TM
PO-B3.1. Francotyp “C” (MV).
    As Type PO-B3 but inscribed "REPUBLICA / SOCIALISTA ROMANA" at top.
    L# ambiguous.
    Date figures without stops.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0.00 (A)
PO-B4. Francotyp “Cc” (MV).
    As Type PO-B3 but the value figures are oval, and the date figures usually have stops after D and before Y.
    Impression counter number high between TM and frank.
    L# at top of frank and repeated in the town mark as follows:
                                                                                        A: L# at bottom of TM. TM: BIC (L# 1 seen) [$10]
                                                                                        B: L# at sides of TM. TM: DC (L#s 301-307?)
    V/F: ◆0,00 (O)
                                                                                        a. Frank only, used without town mark to surcharge postal card. V/F: ◆0.30
PO-B5. Camp (MV). [Appears to be scarce. Value unknown]
    Small, upright frank with simulated-perforation border.
    "POSTA / ROMANA" at top. "LEI" at bottom.
    Hour figure between TM and frank.
    TM: SC
    V/F: ★000
NOTE: Postal cards, telegram forms, and possibly other pre-stamped postal stationery formats exist with surcharges applied by what appear to be meter stamps. Two examples are shown here. The surcharges were most likely applied by hand stamp or some other printing process.

#### Sub-group PO-C: Issues of the Republic, digital machine stamps

PO-C1. Unknown (digital).
    Small square simulated-perforation frame with post horn logo at top and “ROMANIA” at center.
    At the left outside the frame is the postage value / date / town name.
    Printed in black on left side of plain white self-adhesive label.
    V/F: (00000)0 lei
PO-C2. Unknown (digital).
    Large unframed post horn above small “POSTA ROMANA”.
    At left, the postage value / date / town name.
    V/F: (00000)0 lei
PO-C3. Unknown (digital).
    Small horizontal rectangular frank with simulated perforation border.
    With bar code running below both the frank and the TM.
    This stamp is found on a souvenir envelope franked at the stamp show ROMFILEX 96.
    The extent of its use is not known. It is possible the stamp was available only at the stamp show.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ØØ.oo
They are black, without town mark, and appear to be hand stamps modeled after meter stamps rather than actual meter stamps.