Greece 1914 Postal Tax Stamp, National Defense Fund

Greece · 1914 · 5 Lepta

This stamp features the Greek coat of arms, a white cross on a blue escutcheon, surrounded by a laurel wreath and topped with a royal crown. It was issued as a postal tax stamp, meaning its use was mandatory on certain mail items to raise funds for a specific cause. The text at the bottom, "ΤΑΜΕΙΟΝ ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΑΜΥΝΗΣ" (TAMEION ETHNIKIS AMYNIS), translates to "National Defense Fund."

Issued in 1914, this stamp raised funds for Greece's national defense during a period of significant regional tension, just before the outbreak of World War I and following the Balkan Wars.