Sovereign Military Order of Malta, St. John the Baptist

Sovereign Military Order of Malta · 1966 · 1 Scudo

This stamp, the first issued by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, features a portrait of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Order. The design is based on a painting by the renowned artist Caravaggio. To the right of the portrait is the Maltese Cross, the iconic symbol of the Order.

In 1966, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a sovereign entity under international law, established its own postal administration and began issuing stamps. This inaugural issue marked a significant step in asserting its unique status and philatelic independence.