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Thursday, 10 April 2025

3869) "National Archeological Discoveries": Romfiletalia (Romanian Post) has issued two Postage Stamps featuring "Medusa the Gorgon" and "The Abduction of Europa" both discoveries dating from the 2nd–3rd centuriesAD: Date/Year of Stamps issue: 29.04.2025:

3869) "National Archeological Discoveries": Romfiletalia (Romanian Post) has issued two Postage Stamps featuring "Medusa the Gorgon" and "The Abduction of Europa" both discoveries dating from the 2nd–3rd centuriesAD: Date/Year of Stamps issue: 29.04.2025: 

About Europa Stamps:

EUROPA Stamps are special stamps issued by European postal administrations. 

They bear the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme. 

EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world and have been issued for over 60 years.

Every year a new theme is assigned by PostEurop and all participating countries issue stamps with their own interpretation of the theme. The theme for 2025 is "National Archeological Discoveries"

More about EUROPA Postage Stamps:

EUROPA Postage stamps (also known as Europa - CEPT - European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations - until 1992) are special stamps issued by European Postal Administrations/Enterprises and bears the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme.

EUROPA stamps underline cooperation in the posts domain, aimed at promotion of philately. They also build awareness of the common roots, culture and history of Europe and its common goals.

As such, EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world.

Since the first issue in 1956, EUROPA stamps have been a tangible symbol of Europe's desire for closer integration and co-operation.

In 1993, PostEurop became responsible for issuing EUROPA stamps.

When CEPT decided to focus more on telecommunications in 1993, PostEurop took over the management of the Europa issues. The CEPT logo was replaced by a new logo created by PostEurop i.e. the word "EUROPA" leaning towards the right hand side.

Each year, PostEurop's "Stamps & Philately Group" selects the EUROPA stamp theme:

1993 - Contemporary Art

1994 - Great Discoveries

1995 - Peace and Freedom

1996 - Famous women

1997 - Tales and legends

1998 - Festivals and National Celebrations

1999 - Nature Reserves and Parks

2000 - Common Design. Tower of 6 stars

2001 - Water - Treasure of Nature

2002 - The Circus

2003 - Poster Art

2004 - Holidays

2005 - Gastronomy

2006 - Integration through the eyes of Young People

2007 - Scout Centenary

2008 - Writing Letters

2009 - Astronomy

2010 - Children Books

2011 - Forests - International Year of Forests

2012 - Visit …. (for instance "Visit Finland" etc.)

2013 - Van of the Postman - Postal vehicles 

2014 - Musical instruments - National musical instruments

2015 - Old Toys

2016 - Ecology in Europe - "Think Green". Common Design

2017 - Castles

2018 - Bridges

2019 - National Birds

2020 - Ancient Postal Routes

2021 - Endangered National Wildlife

2022 - Stories & Myths. 

2023 - PEACE – The highest value of humanity       

2024 - Underwater fauna and flora           

2025 - National Archaeological discoveries       

2026 - Common design: 70th anniversary of EUROPA             stamps            

2027 - Street art

About Europa 2025 - "National Archeological Discoveries" Stamp features  "Medusa the Gorgon" and "The Abduction of EUROPA)", Stamps issued by Romfiletalia (Romanian Post)

 In collaboration with specialists in the fields of history and archaeology, for the postage stamps issue that will be released on into circulation by Romfilatelia, Tuesday, April 29th this year, and composed of two postage stamps, a First Day Cover, a perforated souvenir sheet, and a special philatelic folder in a limited edition, three artefacts displayed in the exhibition spaces of the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilisation in the town of Deva have been selected

Dating from the 2nd–3rd centuries AD, a period marked by the Roman colonisation of Dacia, the artefacts are regarded as unique pieces of exceptional historical value.

 

The "EUROPA" postage stamps feature images of objects discovered during archaeological excavations at Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa (the capital of the Roman province of Dacia) in 1973, and in the eastern necropolis of Vețel Township, Hunedoara County, in 1967. 

The exhibits depicted are titled "Medusa the Gorgon" (on the stamp with the face value of Lei 5) and "The Abduction of Europa by Zeus transformed into a bull" (on the stamp with the face value of Lei 25). 

The Gorgon Medusa, a gilt bronze appliqué, portrays the features of a mythological creature—Gorgon (the woman with the ‘deadly gaze’)—named Medusa (‘the mistress’), who was said to possess supernatural powers thanks to her gaze, which could kill anyone who came near her. Legend has it that she was slain by the Greek hero Perseus, who kept her head as a fearsome weapon (the Gorgon’s eyes, when directed at enemies, would turn them to stone). 

The artefact The Abduction of Europa (Europa, from whom the continent takes its name, was the daughter of the Phoenician king Agenor) has been classified as decorative element that belonged to a Roman funerary structure. 

Carved in stone, it depicts—within the circle of a wreath woven from leafy branches—the figure of Europa being carried on the back of a bull (Zeus), who, according to mythological accounts, took her to the island of Crete. 

The "Gorgon Medusa" and "The Abduction of Europa" were exhibited at the Exhibition ‘Archaeological Treasures of Romania: Dacian and Roman Roots’, hosted by the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid (September 2021 – February 2022), where they attracted the interest and appreciation of both specialists and the general public. 

The First Day Cover (FDC) features the image of an 

exhibit named after the god "Mithras", known from Persian mythology. Carved in stone, the Mithraic Relief depicts the ritual slaying of a bull by the Persian god. 

The figures present in the sculptural ensemble refer to the Sun, the Moon, and the two equinoxes (spring and autumn). 

The Phrygian cap worn by Mithras was also found among the Thracian-Getic tribes. The artefact was discovered in 1723 at the medieval Teleki Castle in Doștat Village, Alba County. 

Romfilatelia coordinated with the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilisation in Deva, for the documentary support in the development of this postage stamps issue.

The Sheetlets (S)


A Special Folder (SF)

Full Sheets (FS)

Technical details:

Issue Date: 29.04.2025

Designer: Mihail Vămășescu

Process: offset, in 4 colours, paper for stamps, gummed, produced by Tullis Russel (UK origin), purchased by the Stamp Factory; weight: 112 ± 4% g/m2

Sizes:

Stamps size: 48.00 mm x 33.00 mm, 

Minisheets size: 131.00 mm x 86.00 mm, 

Block of 4 stamps (2 sets) size: 111.00 mm x 86.00 mm, 

Block of 2 perforated stamps size: 110.00 x 140.00 mm (numbered; in philatelic folder)

Values: 5.00 Lei, 25.00 Lei





Links to Posts on "National Archeological Discoveries" on this Blog, the theme of POSTEUROP "EUROPA -2025":







Links to posts on "Stories and Myths"" on this Blog, the theme of PostEUROP "EUROPA -2022:






























Links to posts on "Endangered National Wildlife" on this Blog, the theme of PostEUROP "EUROPA -2021:


























Links to posts on "Ancient Postal Routes" on this Blog, the theme of PostEurop "EUROPA-2020":











16) "Ancient Postal Routes - Within and Outside Europe", Iceland: Two Postage Stamps issued by "Islandpostur" (Iceland Post) in the denominations of ISK 3150: Date of Stamps issue: 07.05.2020

17) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Old Road Majstorska Cesta", Croatia: A Se-tenant of two Stamps of the values of 8.60 HRK issued by Croatian Post: Date of stamp issue: 08.05.2020
















Links to Posts on "European Year of Rail":


Links to some posts on Romanian currency and philately on this Blog:




























39) "Operation Neptune", Romania: 100 Lei Gold Proof Coins remember the 80th Anniversary of "Operation Neptune" when Gold Reserves were transferred to Tismana Monastery for safekeeping from the invading troops of Germany's Third Reich and Russia's Red Army: Date/Year of Coins issue: 05.11.2024

40) "Michael the Brave" (Romanian: Mihai Viteazul), the ruler of the first Unification which took place in Transylvania and Bucharest: "Historical Anniversaries Stamp Series": Romfilatelia has issued 3 postage stamps dedicated to Michael the Brave: Date/Year of Stamp set issue: 08.11.2024

41) Celestial Fauna, Constellations, Romania: A set of four stamps celebrating four Constellations: Date/Year of Stamps issue: 12.12.2024

42) Homochromy and Mimicry, Romania: A set of four stamps featuring four species included in the Stamp set: Date/Year of Stamp set issue: 12.12.2024

43) Michelangelo Buonarroti, Romania: 550 Years since his Birth (1475-2025) Romfiletalia (Romanian Post) has issued a Souvenir Sheet of 30 Lei: Date/Year of Souvenir Sheet issue: 20.02.2025

44) Magnolias, Romania: Romfiletalia (Romanian Post) has issued a set of four Stamps featuring Magnolias: Date/Year of Stamp Set issue: 06.03.2025 

Fantasies and Flora Stamp Series, Romania:


Links: Crypto-Currency Stamps & Coin Posts:

1) Croatian Crypto Stamp - 2, Croatia: A 50 HRK stamp (a combination of the analog and the digital) issued by "Hrvatska Posta" (Croatian Post) in coordination with the Croatian Blockchain community gathered around the Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Association: Date of Stamp issue: 16.12.2020

2) Did You Know Series (49): Dogecoin (DOGE), Blockchain Mint, Singapore: Blockchain Mint has issued Silver DOGE Medals in three variants - i) Silver Dogecoin Cryptocurrency Medal Gem BU, ii) Silver Dogecoin Cryptocurrency Medal Proof-Like in Blister Pak, iii) Dogecoin Cryptocurrency Commemorative Medal Antiqued in Blister Pak: Date of Medal release/shipping: 05/2021

3) Did You Know Series (50): A Guest Post by Avery Wright: "Is Making the Crypto Space Legally Complaint Paving the Road to Mass (Blockchain) Adoption?" - A perspective:

4) Gibraltar Cryptocurrency Stamp: Stamp value 4 Pounds: Date of Stamp issue: 15.05.2021: (Pre-orderd accepted from 19.04.2021):

5) Bitcoin Backed Banknotes are being envisaged by "Noteworthy" which are aimed at generating user confidence in the Cryptocurrency

6) "Blockchain Technology", Principality of Liechtenstein: A Crypto Stamp of CHF 5.20 titled "Perspective" issued by Liechtensteinische Post: Date of Stamp issue: 06.09.2021

7) "Bitcoin Logo", Niue Island: A $2 (Two Dollars) Silver Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Coin features this iconic Logo of the well known Cryptocurrency: Year of Coin issue: 2022

8) Crypto-stamp - Rimec Nevera, Croatia: Htvatska posta (Croatian Post) has issued a Crypto-stamp Souvenir Sheet (a combination of the analog and the digital) of One Stamp of HRK50.00 on a PVC background: Date of Crypto-stamp issue: 09.09.2021

9) "UN Crypto Stamps", United Nations: "New Technologies for the United Nations Stamp Series": United Nations Postal Administration brought out its first time ever UN Crypto Stamps, which run on Etherium Blockchain: Date of Stamps issue: 24.11.2020

10) "Equality", Liechtenstein: A "BlockChain Stamp Series: A Stamp 4.1 "Equality issued by Liechtensteinische Post (Philately Liechtenstein) with a face value of CHF 9.00): Date of Stamp issue: 09.09.2022

11) Croatian Crypto Stamp, Croatia: A 50 HRK Stamp (a combination of the analog and the digital) issued by "Hrvatska Posta (Croatian Post) in coordination with the Croatian Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Association: Date of Crypto Stamp issue: 09.09.2020

12) Crypto Stamp 4.0 - Grab the Bull by the Horns - set, Austria: Osterreichische Post AG (Austrian Post) has released a Joint-issue between two countries - Austria and Netherlands, featuring the new technology "Augmented Reality", with a new motif of the Bull: Date of Crypto Stamp issue: 28.10.2022

13) "UN Crypto Stamps", United Nations: "New Technologies for the United Nations Stamp Series": Series II of United Nations Crypto Stamps issued by the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) which run on Blockchain Technolgy: Date of Stamps issue:18.11.2022

14) 2022 NL Crypto Stamp - Duo Set Crypto The Netherlands (NL) + Oostenrijk (Austria) - Collectibles: Date of Joint Crypto Stamp issue: 22.09.2022

15) Nikola Tesla's inventions as motifs feature on Croatia's Fourth Crypto Stamp of 50 HRK issued by Hrvatska Posta (Croatian Post): Date of Crypto Stamp issue: 20.12.2022

16) Professor Balthazar motifs feature on Croatia's Fifth Crypto Stamp of 7.80 Euro issued by Hrvatska Posta (Croatian Post): Date of Crypto Stamp issue: 07.09.202


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