Atlantic Trumpet Triton - Charonia tritonis

Atlantic Trumpet Triton - Charonia tritonis

Year
1962
Face Value
25
Mint Value
-
Used Value
-
Print Run
-
Themes
Sea Life

Catalogs References

Michel
KM 47
Yvert & Tellier
KM 24
Stanley Gibbons
KM 28

Technical Details

Colors
Multicolor
Size
29 x 39 mm
Perforation
13
Printing
Photogravure
Designer
Roger Chapelet
Printers
Helio Comoy, Paris
This stamp showcases one of the grandest and most ecologically vital marine gastropods of the Indian Ocean, Charonia tritonis, commonly known as Triton's trumpet. The vertical illustration beautifully depicts the shell's elongated, swirling spire and its wide, elegantly patterned aperture, carrying a symbolic message of marine majesty, power, and the delicate ecological balance of the coral reefs, where this apex predator famously controls crown-of-thorns starfish populations. Culturally, Triton shells hold immense significance throughout maritime history, often used as traditional horn instruments for signaling across waves and during ceremonial events in coastal societies. By dedicating a stamp to this magnificent specimen, the Comorian postal program under French administration underscored the biological richness of the archipelago, anchoring the territory's public image in its pristine marine heritage and the timeless relationship between Comorian island life and the surrounding sea.