#maunsell fort

Out of all of the micronations on Earth, the Principality of Sealand might very well be the most well-known.  Based on Rough Towers, an abandoned Maunsell sea fort off the northwest coast of England, Sealand was annexed by Paddy Bates and his family in 1967 (in fact, they wrested control of the tower from another family who had taken up residence - pirate radio broadcaster Jack Moore), eventually declaring independence from the United Kingdom and claiming de facto recognition as a nation-state by both the United Kingdom and Germany.  [At the time of annexation, the territorial limits of a country’s waters was only 3 nautical miles - Sealand is a good 7.5 miles off the coast of Suffolk and thereby out of jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.]  [In 1987, Britain extended its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, bringing Sealand back into the fold.  Under duress, it hardly needs be said.]  Sealanders have been producing postage stamps and currency for decades - in addition to passports, aristocratic titles, and Sealandic swag.  Buy some today!

Stamp details:
Stamps on top:
Issued in: 1969
From: Roughs Tower, Principality of Sealand
MC #N/A

Stamp on bottom:
Issued in: 2010
From: Roughs Tower, Principality of Sealand
MC #N/A

Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: No
Claimed by: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Member of the Universal Postal Union: No