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Greece Hermes Head, Large Type
uncommonpre-1900

Greece Hermes Head, Large Type

Greece · 1861 · 1 Lepton

This is the first postage stamp issued by Greece, featuring a profile of the Greek god Hermes, the messenger of the gods. The design, known as the "Large Hermes Head," was inspired by a French medal created by Albert Désiré Barre. The denomination is printed at the bottom, and the country name appears in Greek script at the top.

Issued in 1861, this stamp marks Greece's entry into the postal union and the standardization of its mail system, following the trend set by Great Britain's Penny Black two decades earlier.

Printing Method

Typography

Catalog Numbers

sg1
scott1
michel1

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$150
Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$100
Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$60
Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$30
Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$10

Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.