The Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Its Postage Stamps: History, Rarities and Philatelic Value

PEREX: The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (S.M.O.M.) is one of the most fascinating non‑state entities issuing its own postage stamps. Their low print runs, joint issues and rich historical background make SMOM stamps highly attractive to collectors. This article offers a concise overview of the Order’s history and presents examples from its philatelic production.

The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta is a sovereign non‑state subject of international law. It functions as an elective monarchy headed by a Grand Master. The Order maintains diplomatic relations with more than one hundred countries through its embassies, including one located in Bratislava. Founded in the 11th century in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Order has changed its seat several times throughout its long history. Noteworthy is its presence in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century after being forced to leave Malta. Interestingly, the Russian Tsar Paul I served as its Grand Master. Today, the Order’s official headquarters is in Rome, and its activities focus primarily on charity and humanitarian aid. The Order issues its own postage stamps and coins and is commonly referred to in philately by the abbreviation S.M.O.M. (Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta).

Fig. 1: SMOM First Day Cover from 1967.

The Order of Malta began issuing its own postage stamps in 1966. These stamps are printed in low quantities—often only several tens of thousands—making them highly desirable among collectors. Particularly valued are joint issues with countries such as Italy, San Marino and the Vatican. For collectors who follow this area closely, a useful reference is the
Sassone 2024 Specialized Catalogue for San Marino, Vatican and SMOM.

On 15 October 1999, the Order of Malta signed a postal agreement with the Slovak Republic, making its stamps more accessible to collectors in Central Europe. If you are interested in expanding your collection, you can explore the category
SMOM postage stamps available in our e‑shop.

Fig. 2: Christmas 1973 stamp block issued by the Order of Malta, printed in 68,000 copies.

Photographs used in this article – private collection of the author.