Estonia First Issue, Flower Ornament

Estonia · 1918 · 5 kopecks

This stamp is the very first issue of the newly independent Republic of Estonia. The design features a floral ornament pattern with the numeral '5' in the center, representing its face value of 5 kopecks. It was printed in Tallinn on the back of unfinished German military maps due to a severe paper shortage following World War I.

Issued in November 1918, this stamp marks Estonia's declaration of independence from the Russian Empire and the end of German occupation, symbolizing the birth of the nation's postal service.