These stamps bear the name “R.P. Kampuchea”, referencing the country’s name at the time: the People’s Republic of Kampuchea (1979–1989). Like many stamps from the region during this period, they were likely printed in large numbers and may have been aimed partly at the international collector market rather than domestic postal use.
Cambodia Mushroom Stamps – A Fungus-Filled Miniature Collection
Each design features a different species, labelled with its Latin name and a colorful illustration that’s both accurate and full of character. Like the Burkina Faso set from the same year, these stamps reflect a wider 1980s trend: countries issuing themed collections that appealed to collectors with a specific interest, in this case, fungi.
| Value | Latin Name | Common Name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.00 Riels | Amanita caesarea | Caesar’s mushroom | Prized by the ancient Romans and still considered a delicacy in parts of Europe. Its bright orange cap and yellow stem make it easy to spot, but also easy to confuse with dangerous lookalikes, which puts off many foragers. |
| 1.50 Riels | Amanita muscaria | Fly agaric | One of the most recognisable mushrooms in the world. That red cap with white spots has become a symbol of fairy tales and folklore. It contains psychoactive compounds and is not safe to eat. |
| 0.50 Riels | Coprinus micaceus | Mica cap | A delicate mushroom often found in clusters on rotting wood. Part of the inky cap group, it breaks down into a black liquid as it matures in a process called autodigestion. |
| 1.00 Riel | Agaricus campestris | Field mushroom | Common in meadows and pastures. Closely related to the button mushrooms found in shops, this species has long been eaten in Europe and is widely recognised. |
| 2.00 Riels | Coprinus comatus | Shaggy ink cap / Lawyer’s wig | A tall, cylinder-shaped mushroom that dissolves into ink as it matures. Edible when young, but it spoils quickly, so timing is important if using it in the kitchen. |
| 0.80 Riels | Amanita pantherina | Panther cap | Attractive but highly toxic. Its brown cap with white spots can be confused with edible mushrooms, which adds to its reputation as a dangerous species. |
| 0.20 Riels | Gymnopilus spectabilis var. Junonia | Spectacular gymnopilus | A bright orange mushroom that grows in clusters. Some varieties in this genus contain psychoactive compounds, making this a species best admired rather than handled. |
The Fly Agaric is probably the mushroom I see the most across postage stamps (so far at least!). These are the cute ones that I think most people imagine when you ask them to think of a mushroom. I used to think these were toadstool and for some reason I think of Enid Blyton when I think of them as well.
This mushroom in particular gives fairy and woodland vibes that are super popular at the moment.
P.s The December 2019 issue of Stanley Gibbons monthly has a great feature on mushrooms on stamps by Barry Floyd!
