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Greek Stamps

Definitives of 1900-1902

Most of the definitive Greek stamps of this period continued using the likeness of Hermes, the Ancient Greek messenger of the gods.

The major-type Hermes Head Greek stamps of 1862 to 1895, shown above, were overprinted and re-valued during 1900.

The catalog attributes, for stamps that are imperforate, are as follows:

• 20 L. on 25 L. (Sc. #95)  (1900 - Sc. #129) - Blue.
• 30 L. on 40 L. (Sc. #58)  (1900 - Sc. #130) - Violet on Cream.
• 40 L. on 02 L. (Sc. #44)  (1900 - Sc. #132) - Bister on Cream.
• 50 L. on 40 L. (Sc. #48)  (1900 - Sc. #133) - Salmon on Cream.
• 01 D. on 40 L. (Sc. #97)  (1900 - Sc. #134) - Red Violet.
• 03 D. on 10 L. (Sc. #54)  (1900 - Sc. #137) - Orange on Cream.
• 05 D. on 40 L. (Sc. #21)  (1900 - Sc. #138) - Red Violet on Blue.
• 05 D. on 40 L. (Sc. #42)  (1900 - Sc. #139) - Red Violet on Blue.
  
  

The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated, are as follows:

• 20 L. on 25 L. (Sc. #112)  (1900 - Sc. #140) - Blue.
• 30 L. on 40 L. (Sc. #58)  (1900 - Sc. #141) - Violet on Cream.
• 40 L. on 02 L. (Sc. #44)  (1900 - Sc. #142) - Bister on Cream.
• 50 L. on 40 L. (Sc. #48)  (1900 - Sc. #143) - Salmon on Cream.
• 01 D. on 40 L. (Sc. #114)  (1900 - Sc. #144) - Red Violet.
• 02 D. on 40 L. (Sc. #105)  (1900 - Sc. #150) - Red Violet.
  
• 03 D. on 10 L. (Sc. #54)  (1900 - Sc. #147) - Yellow on Cream.
• 05 D. on 40 L. (Sc. #21)  (1900 - Sc. #148) - Red Violet on Blue.
• 05 D. on 40 L. (Sc. #42)  (1900 - Sc. #149) - Red Violet on Blue.
  
  

In 1900 and 1901, existing Greek stamps (Large Hermes Heads, Small Hermes Heads, and 1896 Olympic Games) were re-valued in red or black and overprinted with the letters "A M" ("Αξία Μεταλλική" or "value in (gold) metal").  This signified that their face values were based on the gold standard of the Latin Monetary Union.  Due to the depreciation of the Drachma, these stamps were sold at prices higher than their face values.

The "A M" stamps were mainly used for international parcel post and postal money orders.  In 1902, these definitive stamps were withdrawn, and they were replaced with new definitive Greek stamps that were inscribed with the letters "A M".

The re-valued Hermes Head Greek stamps shown above, were also overprinted with the letters "A. M." during 1900.

The catalog attributes, for stamps that are imperforate, are as follows:

• 25 L. on 40 L. (Sc. #70)  (1900 - Sc. #151) - Violet.
  
• 50 L. on 25 L. (Sc. #69)  (1900 - Sc. #152) - Blue.
• 01 D. on 40 L. (Sc. #42)  (1900 - Sc. #153) - Brown on Blue.
• 02 D. on 05 L. (Sc. #53)  (1900 - Sc. #154) - Green on Cream.
  
  

The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated, are as follows:

• 25 L. on 40 L. (Sc. #87)  (1900 - Sc. #155) - Violet.
  
• 50 L. on 25 L. (Sc. #86)  (1900 - Sc. #156) - Blue.
• 01 D. on 40 L. (Sc. #42)  (1900 - Sc. #157) - Brown on Blue.
• 02 D. on 05 L. (Sc. #53)  (1900 - Sc. #158) - Green on Cream.
  
  
  

The 1896 Olympic Games Greek stamps shown above, were re-valued and overprinted with the letters "A. M" during 1900 and 1901.

The catalog attributes are as follows:

• 05 L. on 01 D.  (1900 - Sc. #159) - Blue.
  
• 25 L. on 40 L.  (1900 - Sc. #160) - Violet.
• 50 L. on 02 D.  (1900 - Sc. #161) - Bister.
• 01 D. on 05 D.  (1901 - Sc. #162) - Green.
• 02 D. on 10 D.  (1901 - Sc. #163) - Brown.
  
  

• 50 L. on 25 L. on 40 L.  (1900 - Sc. #164) - Violet.
  
  
  

The fourteen new definitive Greek stamps shown above (Sc. #165-178) were issued in 1901.  The 1 L. to 1 D. denominations are engraved, and the 2 D. to 5 D. denominations are lithographed.  All the engraved denominations exist on both thick and thin paper.

The designs feature the statue of Hermes (c. 1564) by Giovanni da Bologna (1529-1628).

The five new definitive Greek stamps shown above (Sc. #179-183) were issued in 1902.  They are all engraved, perforated 13 1/2, and they are inscribed with the letters "A. M.".

The designs of these stamps feature the right-facing head of the statue of Hermes by Giovanni da Bologna (1529-1628), which was used for the 1901 definitives.

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