Gem, Rock, and Mineral Postage Stamps From
Algeria

Official Name:	Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
National Name:	Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Shabiyah
Alternate Names:	Algérie; Al Jaza'ir
Monetary Units:	1 franc (f) = 100 centimes (c). Beginning in 1964, 1 dinar (d) = 100 centimes (c).
Location:	Northern Africa; bordered by the Mediterranean Sea (north); Morocco and Western Sahara (west); Mauritania, Mali, and Niger (south); Libya and Tunisia (east).
History:	Algeria was a French colony until September 1958, when it became part of France. On July 3, 1962, Algeria gained independence from France.
Mineral Resources:	Iron ore, phosphates, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium.


Gypsum (var. Desert Rose) Algeria Scott 710 70 centimes	Halite Algeria Scott 711 80 centimes


Quartz (var. Agate) Algeria Scott 712 1.20 dinar	Fluorite Algeria Scott 713 2.40 dinar

This set of 4 stamps was issued on 21 Apr 1983 and shows natural, unpolished mineral specimens. The agate shown on Scott 712 is likely sawed to reveal a cross-section of the specimen's internal structure.


Sandstone (Gres lite erode) Algeria Scott 1029 3 dinar	Marble (Cipolin) Algeria Scott 1030 5 dinar	Sandstone (Marne a turitella) Algeria Scott 1031 10 dinar

This set of 3 stamps was issued in 1994 and shows natural, unpolished rock specimens. Scott 1031 also shows exposed Turritella fossil shells.