Greece Large Hermes Head, 1861 First Athens Printing

Greece · 1861 · 1 Λεπτόν (Lepton)

This stamp features the classic profile of Hermes, the messenger god of Greek mythology, facing right. It is the first stamp issued by Greece, known as the 'Large Hermes Head'. The design, created by Albert Barre, is renowned for its neoclassical elegance and became a symbol of Greek philately.

Issued in 1861 following Greece's independence from the Ottoman Empire, this stamp represents the nation's entry into the global postal system and a reassertion of its classical heritage.