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 a 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)
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
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":
17) Institute of Speleology (Study of Caves) "Emil Racovita", Romania: A Century of Research (1920-2020): A set of four stamps issued by Romfilatelia (Romanian Post) featuring representative images of Caves of Romania which are of great importance for Speleological Research & Activity: Date of Stamp set issue: 18.06.2020
Links: Crypto-Currency Stamps & Coin Posts:
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