Large Hermes Head, 1 Lepton

Greece · 1861 · 1 Lepton

This is the first postage stamp issued by Greece, featuring the profile of Hermes, the messenger god of ancient Greek mythology. The design, known as the "Large Hermes Head," was created in Paris and printed in Athens. The denomination is inscribed in Greek at the bottom.

Issued in 1861, this stamp marks Greece's entry into the postal union, just over 30 years after gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire. The choice of Hermes symbolized communication and linked the modern Greek state to its classical heritage.