SI metric system

Metric System
(The International System
of Units (SI))


Below is a checklist of metric system (International System of Units (SI)) postal items (stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.). Catalog numbers, years of issue, and notes on the items featured are given when available. If readers know of additional information or images, please contact the author using the e-mail address at the bottom of this page.


CountryCatalog Number*Type of Item**Year of IssueNotes on Content
Australia5411973conversion to metric system: (kg/stones-and-pounds) mass, scale
Australia5421973conversion to metric system: (°C/°F) temperature, fever
Australia5431973conversion to metric system: (cm/feet-and-inches) length, tape measure
Australia5441973conversion to metric system: (mL/fluid-ounces) volume, drinking glass
Australia541-544 fdc1Four stamps and cachet on FDC1973conversion to metric system
Australia541-544 fdc2Four stamps and cachet (different) on FDC
Bangladesh2121983metric system: mail scale
Bangladesh2131983metric system: weights, measures
Brazil9401962100th anniv. introduction of metric system, 1862: millimeter gauge
Bulgaria22361975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: standard kilogram, meter
Cuba21731977SI-metric system: 7 (seven) SI base units, map
Denmark13882007100th anniv. metric system in Denmark
Finland7501987100th anniv. use metric system, 1887: X-cross section
Finland750 fdcStamp and cachet on FDC
France7321954metric system introduction in France first: allegory
France14351975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: document, krypton atom, waves
France1435 fdcStamp and cancel and cachet on FDC
Ghana5701976introduction of metric system, 1975-09: liter, water
Ghana5711976introduction of metric system, 1975-09: kilogram, jam
Ghana5721976introduction of metric system, 1975-09: meter, cloth
Ghana5731976introduction of metric system, 1975-09: (°C) fever thermometer, ice, boiling tea kettle
Guyana437aFrom MS6 (437 (a-f))1982conversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: tape measure, truck
Guyana437bconversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: juggler, unit symbols (°C)
Guyana437cconversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: man, envelope
Guyana437dconversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: woman, baby, scale
Guyana437econversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: Canje bridge (530 m long)
Guyana437fconversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: liter bucket
Guyana557aFrom MS6 (557 (a-f)), 437 (a-f) overprinted1982conversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: tape measure, truck
Guyana557bconversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: juggler, unit symbols (°C)
Guyana557cconversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: man, envelope
Guyana557dconversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: woman, baby, scale
Guyana557econversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: Canje bridge (530 m long)
Guyana557fconversion to metric system, 1982-01-02: liter bucket
Hungary24181976100th anniv. introduction of metric system, 1876: standard meter, meter act
Hungary24191976100th anniv. introduction of metric system, 1876: standard kilogram
Hungary24201976100th anniv. introduction of metric system, 1876: interferometer, rocket
Indonesia9411975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: standard meter, kilogram, globe
Italy1809199055th anniv. metric system in Italy, 1935: MKS, Giovanni Giorgi
Japan6731959adoption of metric system: measuring glass, tape measure, scales
Japan673 fdc1Stamp and cancel and cachet on FDC
Japan673 fdc2Stamp and cancel and cachet (different) on FDC (post card)
Japan673 fdc3Stamp and cancel and cachet (different) on FDC
Japan673 fdc4Stamp and cancel and cachet (different) on FDC
Japan673 fdc5Stamp and cancel and cachet (different) on FDC
Japan673 fdc6Stamp and cancel and cachet (different) on FDC
Japan673 insertInsert from FDC
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania2251971conversion to metric system: kilogram/pounds, pan balance
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania2261971conversion to metric system: two (°C/°F) thermometer
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania2271971conversion to metric system: liters, petrol
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania2281971conversion to metric system: kilometers, surveyors
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania225-228 fdc1Four stamps and cachet on FDC1971conversion to metric system
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania225-228 fdc2Four stamps and cachet on FDC (different cancel)
Korea (South)4281964introduction of metric system: metric symbols ("kg" incorrectly given as "Kg")
Korea (South)9751975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: metric symbols
MexicoC2411957100th anniv. adoption of metric system, 1857: measures, globe
Netherlands5311975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: symbolic scale
New Zealand5941976metric conversion, 1976: symbolic measures: weight, length, temperature, (unscaled) thermometer
Nigeria3941980World Standards Day: kilogram scale, centimeter ruler, emblem
Norway6551975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: Ole Jacob Broch
Pakistan3641974introduction of metric system: metric measures
PolandNonePostal card197960th anniv. Measurement Service, 1919: standards, SI units
Romania18731966100th anniv. introduction of metric system, 1866: derivation of meter
Romania18741966100th anniv. introduction of metric system, 1866: metric symbols
Romania25471975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: emblem
Russia (USSR)43041975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: metric symbols
Singapore3161979introduction of metric system: distance, kilometer
Singapore3171979introduction of metric system: tape measure, centimeter
Singapore3181979introduction of metric system: scale, kilogram
Singapore316-318 fdcThree stamps and cachet on FDC1979introduction of metric system
South Africa4971977introduction of metric system: world map, "M": 10th anniv. Metric Advisory Board, 1967
South Africa497 fdcStamp and cancel and cachet on FDC
Surinam4211975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: symbolic design
Surinam4221975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: symbolic design
Surinam4231975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: symbolic design
Sweden11211975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: tape measure
Sweden1121-1123 fdc1One of three stamps and cachet on FDC
Sweden1121-1123 fdc2One of three stamps on FDC (different)
Sweden1121-1123 insertFDC insert
Switzerland5991975100th anniv. International Metre Convention, 1875: standard meter, krypton spectrum
Tonga4491975introduction of metric system: decade of progress
Yugoslavia11801974100th anniv. introduction of metric system, 1874: measure

*Scott catalog number.
**FDC = First Day Cover; SS# = souvenir sheet, MS# = miniature sheet, where # = number of stamps in sheet, and the numbers in parentheses are the catalog numbers of the stamps in the sheet.


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Updated: 2008-09-24