German Occupation of Macedonia, Overprint on Bulgarian Stamp

Macedonia (German Occupation) · 1944 · 2 Leva

This stamp is a Bulgarian definitive issue featuring King Boris III, originally printed in 1942. It was overprinted in black with 'MAZEDONIEN / 19. IX. 1944' by German forces during their brief occupation of the region near the end of World War II. The overprint signifies the German military administration in Macedonia following Bulgaria's withdrawal from the Axis powers.

Issued in September 1944, these overprints were prepared for use in Skopje during the German occupation of Macedonia, which lasted only a few months as German forces retreated from the Balkans. They are significant artifacts of the final chaotic stages of World War II in the region.