Закавка́зье
Transcaucasia
Quick reference
General issues: Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic 1923
Country name on general issues: ЗСФСР
Currency: 1 Transcaucasian Ruble = 100 Kopeks 1923, 1 Gold Ruble = 100 Gold Kopeks 1923
Population: 6 152 000 in 1925
Political history Transcaucasia
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Transcaucasia is located on the south side of the Caucasus in western Asia. The region, in the late 19th and early 20th century, is part of the Russian Empire. In the wake of the Russian revolution, in 1917, and the civil war that follows, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, in 1918, declare independence, first, as the Transcaucasian Federation, next, as separate – democratic – republics. Their independence is short lived as Soviet Russia invades the region and the republics are transformed into Soviet socialist republics in 1920. These are joined to form the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic – TSFSR – in March 1922. In December 1922, the TSFSR is one of the founding members of the Soviet Union. The TSFSR exists within the Soviet Union until 1936 when it is dissolved, and Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to be part of the Soviet Union as separate Soviet socialist republics. At the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia once more gain independence.
Postal history Transcaucasia
1923 – Soviet symbols
Transcaucasia issues stamps in 1923. The first issues are overprints on Russian and Armenian stamps. The overprint being a star in which it reads ‘ЗСФСР'[1]Russian for TSFSR. . Definitives follow inscribed ‘ЗСФСР’ and ‘Post’ in Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian and Russian. Two of these are overprinted with a new face value shortly after. A second set of the same design is issued after a currency reform.[2]Michel lists a set of overprints on Azerbaijani stamps for use only in Azerbaijan under Transcaucasia. Scott and Yvert & Tellier list this issue under Azerbaijan, Stanley Gibbons lists only the definitives. The stamps of Transcaucasia are used concurrently with the issues of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, all these to be superseded by the issues of the Soviet Union in 1924.
For more detailed information on Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia please refer to their individual profiles.
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