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:
The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated, are as follows:
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definitive stamps were withdrawn, and they were replaced with new definitive Greek stamps that were inscribed with the letters "A M".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:
The catalog attributes, for stamps that are perforated, are as follows:
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:
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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Return to Greek Stamps
from Definitives of 1900-1902
The Scott catalog listings for the Hermes Head stamps can be confusing and incomplete. Some of the major varieties look very similar to each other, and proper classification could mean the difference between a stamp that is worth a couple dollars and one that is very expensive!
For anyone considering a specialty in classical Greek stamps, I would strongly suggest getting a copy of the Vlastos Greece Specialized catalog (shown above). The catalog is bilingual, in Greek and in English. I have provided a couple links below.
Vlastos Greece Catalog at
vlastos.com
Vlastos Greece Catalog at
eBay.com