Lemnos Stamps
Lemnos is a large island in the northern Aegean Sea, geographically part of the Greek archipelago within Southern Europe. Historically, the island was administered by the Ottoman Empire until it was incorporated into the modern Greek state following the Balkan Wars in the early 20th century, a transition reflected in its postal history.
- Issued stamps
- 1912–1913
- Region
- Europe, Southern Europe
- Currency
- GRD
- Languages
- Greek
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
- Part of
- Greece
About Lemnos stamps
Stamps issued for Lemnos often feature Greek language and script, sometimes predating unified Greek postal administration across the Aegean islands. The island's postal service transitioned through various administrative phases before fully integrating into the Hellenic Post system.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΣΙΣ
- ΛΗΜΝΟΣ
How to identify Lemnos stamps
- Look for overprints in Greek script, such as 'ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΣΙΣ' (Hellenic Administration) or 'ΛΗΜΝΟΣ' (Lemnos) on stamps originally issued by the Ottoman Empire or Greece.
- Examine the underlying stamp design; it will typically be an Ottoman issue (e.g., 'Tughra' designs) or a Greek 'Hermes Head' or 'Olympic Games' issue.
- Pay close attention to the details of the overprint, as many forgeries exist. Genuine overprints often show specific characteristics in font and spacing.
Popular series
-
Provisional Issues
1912
Stamps of the Ottoman Empire overprinted 'ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΣΙΣ' (Hellenic Administration) or 'ΛΗΜΝΟΣ' (Lemnos) during the Greek occupation.
-
Definitive Issues
1912-1913
Stamps of Greece (e.g., 'Hermes Head' issues) overprinted for use in Lemnos, sometimes with additional local overprints.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- €5–€50
- Scarce stamps
- €100–€1,000+
The value of Lemnos stamps varies significantly based on the specific overprint, condition, and rarity of the underlying Ottoman or Greek stamp. Provisional issues with clear, well-centered overprints are generally more sought after. Forgeries of overprints are common, so expertization is often recommended for higher-value items.
Catalogs. Lemnos stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Lemnos stamps
Lemnos stamps are provisional issues used on the Greek island of Lemnos during and immediately after its liberation from Ottoman rule by Greece in 1912-1913. They primarily consist of Ottoman or Greek stamps overprinted for local use by the Hellenic Administration.
Yes, some Lemnos stamps can be quite valuable, especially rare provisional overprints in good condition or those on specific underlying Ottoman or Greek issues. Common examples may be more affordable, but rare varieties can fetch hundreds or even thousands of Euros. Expert authentication is crucial for high-value items due to prevalent forgeries.
To identify Lemnos stamps, look for Greek overprints like 'ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΣΙΣ' or 'ΛΗΜΝΟΣ' on stamps that are clearly of Ottoman or Greek origin. The period of issue (1912-1913) is also a key indicator. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Lemnos stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons, typically under Greece or specific sections for Greek occupation issues or Aegean Islands. Specialized Greek philatelic catalogs also provide detailed listings.
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