Snails stamp catalogue

1,597 items

Snails are mollusks of the class Gastropoda. About 80,000 species are known. Most of them live in the sea. They are valued for their beautiful shells. We see this on many stamps. More

Snails are mollusks of the class Gastropoda. About 80,000 species are known. However, the total number of snails is estimated to be more than 200,000. Most of them live in the sea. Here we find species with snail shells as well as species without or with strongly reduced 'shells'. Snails are also found in fresh water and on land. The latter is exceptional within molluscs. The land-dwelling species often have a slime layer, which aids in locomotion and prevents dehydration. A number of species of snails are eaten, such as the periwinkles and the vineyard snails. Other varieties were used as currency. However, most species are valued for their beautiful shells. We see this on many stamps.

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Number of stamps

1,597

Number of related items

Oldest item

Metal slag heap of Völklingen, with overprint (1921)