2833) Stjepan II. Kotromanić (Srebrenik, 1292 - Bobovac, September 28, 1353) Bosnian ban from 1314 to 1353, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mostar (Mostar Post) has issued a postage stamp of 3.30 BAM depicting a coin which was one of the first issues during his reign: Date of Stamp issue: 12.05.2023:

2833) Stjepan II. Kotromanić (Srebrenik, 1292 - Bobovac, September 28, 1353) Bosnian ban from 1314 to 1353, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mostar (Mostar Post) has issued a postage stamp of 3.30 BAM depicting a coin which was one of the first issues during his reign: Date of Stamp issue: 12.05.2023:

Bosnia and Herzegovina Post (BH Posta, Sarajevo), Croatian Posts (HP Mostar, Mostar) and Serbian Posts (Srpska Poste, Banja Luka).

This Stamp Series is being brought out by HP Mostar (Mostar Posts):

About Archaeological Treasures:

Stjepan II. Kotromanić (Srebrenik, 1292 - Bobovac, September 28, 1353) was Bosnian ban from 1314 to 1353. 

He built Bobovac, the most important and best-fortified town in medieval Bosnia, before the first half of the 14th century. 

He encouraged the exploitation of Bosnian iron, silver and copper mines and trade, especially with Dubrovnik. 

He was the first Bosnian ruler to mint his own money. 

In the beginning he was in the service of the Bosnian ban Mladin II. Bribirski. 

He then joined an alliance against Mladin II, who was defeated in 1322 with the help of the Venetians and the Croatian-Hungarian King Karl I. Robert. 

After that, Stjepan took power in Bosnia together with his brother Vladislav and they ruled jointly from 1326 to 1353. 

Relying on the Angevins, he took advantage of the discord in Serbia after the death of King Milutin and occupied Soli, Usora, Završje, the coast between Neretva and Cetina and Hum, opening Bosnia's access to the sea. 

In 1333, he confirmed the possession of Ston and Pelješac to the people of Dubrovnik, who, in return, agreed to pay an annual fee. 

He ruled independently in Bosnia, as evidenced by the fact that Pope Ivan XXII called him "the ruler of Bosnia" in one letter. 

During his reign, Catholicism strengthened in Bosnia, and the Franciscans expanded their activities by establishing a special vicarage in 1339. He was succeeded by his nephew Tvrtko I, who became the first Bosnian king. (Željka Šaravanja).

The Postage Stamp:

The postage stamp of 3.30 BAM depicts a Coin of Novac Stjepana II, Kotromanica which was one of the first numismatic issues of the Ban.

The First Day Cover (FDC) shows a stylised sword and shield symbolising the various armed conflicts which Stjepan II. Kotromanić had to undergo during his reign.

At top right is affixed the Stamp Sheet (SS) issued cancelled with a special cancellation postmark/handstamp depicting a crown. The cancellation is of Mostar and the cancellation date is - "12.05.2023".

The Stamp Sheet (SS)

Technical details:

Issue Date: 12.05.2023

Designer: Manlio Napoli

Printer: AKD d.o.o. Zagreb

Size: 35.50 mm x 25.56 mm

Value: 3.30 BAM

Links to posts on Bosnia & Herzegovina on this blog:

1) Bosnia & Herzegovina: Currency & Coinage: Convertible Mark ("Konvertibilna Marka") and Fenings

Myths & Flora Stamp Series:

2) a) Vjetrenica - largest known cave in Bosnia & Herzegovina; b) The Heather (Calluna vulgaris): Stamps issued under the Series titled "About Myths and Flora" on 22.05.2018

2) b) Goddess Lada ad the Peony plant/Flower, Bosnia and Herzegovina, MOSTAR: The latest stamp in the Series titled "Myths and Flora" features the Myth of Lada, a Slavic Goddess and the Peony Flower: Date of Stamp release: 16.06.2021

3) Turtles, Bosnia & Herzegovina: A set of four stamps of 3.10 BAM each, issued featuring the Pond Turtle, Land Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turrtle and Green Turtle: Stamp set issue date: 01.11.2019

4) World Water Day (WWD), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar): A set of two Stamps featuring the beautiful Ramsko jezero Lake issued by Mostar Post Office: Date of Stamp Set issue: 23.03.2020

 5) "Ancient Postal Routes, Biga", Bosnia & Herzegovina: Two EUROPA stamps of 3.00 Euro each depicting a Wagon and the two faces of a Silver Coin issued on 05.04.2020

Archaeological Treasures Stamp Series:

6) i) "Archaeological Treasures - Stecak Necropolis Radmlija", Bosnia and Herzegovina Post (HP Mostar) on the Stecak Necropolis Radmilja: Date of stamp issue: 12.05.2020

6) ii) "Archaeological Treasures - Vitco's Stecak", Bosnia and Herzegovina: "Archaeological Treasures Stamp Series": A postage stamp of 1.10 BAM brought out by HO Mostar: Date of Stamp issue:12.05.2022

6) iii) "Stjepan II, Kotromanic (Srebrenik, 1292- Bobovac, September 28,1353) Bosnian Ban from 1314 to 1353, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mostar (Mostar Post) has ssued a postage stamp of 3.30 BAM depicting a coin which was one of the first issues during his reign: Date of Stamp issue: 12.05.2023

7) Endangered Butterflies (Fauna), Bosnia and Herzegovina: A set of four postage stamps in the denomination of 2.90 BAM each, depicting four endangered butterflies found in Bosnia & Herzegovina, issued by HP Mostar: Date of Stamps issue: 01.11.2020

8) "Endemic Plants", (Flora 2020), Bosnia & Herzegovina: Two stamps of 2.70 BAM each brought out by HP Mostar: Date of Stamp Set issue: 01.11.2020

9) "World Wetlands Day", Bosnia & Herzegovina: A Postage Stamp of 0.90 BAM issued by HP Mostar, Mostar: Date of Stamp issue: 02.02.2021

10) Sava Shumanovic, Painter, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Republic of Srpska: A commemorative postage stamp of 1.95 BAM issued by "Srpske Poste" (Serbian Post): Date of Stamp issue: 19.02.2021

11) "Endangered National Wildlife - The Great Black Grouse, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar): EUROPA - 2021: Mostar Post has issued a set of two Stamps of the values of 3.00 BAM each featuring the critically Endangered Great Black Grouse: Date of Stamp Set issue: 05.04.2021

12) Ethnic Treasures, Bosnia & Herzegovina: HP Mostar has issued a postage stamp of 0.20 BAM depicting the Charcoal Iron: Date of Stamp issue: 09.10.2021

13) "World Food Day - 2021", Bosnia & Herzegovina (HP Mostar): HP Mostar is issued a set of two Stamps in the denominations of 1.10 BAM, celebrating "collard (rastika) a local popular dish in Herzegovina: Date of Stamps issued: 16.10.2021

14) "Cycling - Handlebar" (Republic 0f Srpska), Bosnia and Herzegovina: Serbian Posts (Srpske Poste, Banja Luka) has issued a set of two stamps of 0.90 and 1.80 BAM each depicting a stylised Handlebar and a Bicycle wheel respectively: Date of Stamp set issue: 10.03.2022

15) God Perun and Goddess Morana, (Mostar), Bosnia and Herzegovina: EUROPA - 2022: "Stories and Myths": Hrvatska posta d.o.o. Mostar (croatian Posts Ltd. Mostar) has issued two EUROPA stamps depicting the Legends/Myths: Date of Stamp set issue: 05.04.2022