Mytilene Stamps
Mytilene, historically the main city of the island of Lesbos, is geographically situated in the Aegean Sea, part of modern-day Greece in Southern Europe. Its postal history is intrinsically linked to the broader Greek postal administration, although the island experienced periods under Ottoman rule before becoming part of the modern Greek state.
- Issued stamps
- 1912–1912
- Region
- Europe, Southern Europe
- Currency
- GRD
- Languages
- Greek
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
- Part of
- Greece
About Mytilene stamps
Stamps issued for Mytilene often reflect Greek language and currency, though earlier issues sometimes show the influence of various administrative periods. The island's postal identity is generally subsumed within the national issues of Greece following its incorporation into the Hellenic Kingdom.
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.
- ΜΥΤΙΛΗΝΗ
- ΛΕΣΒΟΣ
How to identify Mytilene stamps
- Look for overprints such as 'ΜΥΤΙΛΗΝΗ' (Mytilene) or 'ΛΕΣΒΟΣ' (Lesbos) on Greek or Ottoman stamps.
- Examine the underlying stamp for Greek or Ottoman characteristics (e.g., King George I of Greece, Ottoman tughra).
Popular series
-
Provisional Government Issues
1912
Stamps issued by the Provisional Government of Mytilene, often overprinted on Greek stamps, during the Balkan Wars.
-
Ottoman Overprints
1912
Turkish stamps overprinted 'Mytilene' or 'Lesbos' for local use during the transitional period.
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 Mytilene stamps varies significantly based on the specific overprint, underlying stamp, condition, and rarity of the variety. Provisional issues and rare overprints command higher prices.
Catalogs. Mytilene 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 Mytilene stamps
Mytilene stamps refer to postal issues used on the island of Lesbos (Mytilene being its capital) during a brief transitional period in 1912, primarily during and immediately after its liberation from Ottoman rule and before its full integration into Greece. These are often Greek or Ottoman stamps with local overprints.
Some Mytilene stamps can be quite valuable, especially rare provisional issues, specific overprint varieties, or stamps in pristine condition. Common examples might be worth a few euros, while rare items can fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros. Their value is highly dependent on rarity, condition, and philatelic demand.
To identify Mytilene stamps, look for distinctive overprints in Greek ('ΜΥΤΙΛΗΝΗ' or 'ΛΕΣΒΟΣ') on stamps that are clearly either Greek or Ottoman in origin. Pay attention to the design of the underlying stamp, the type and color of the overprint, and any specific dates. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Mytilene stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs such as Scott (under Greece, often in a specialized section for provisional issues), Michel (under Greece), and Stanley Gibbons (under Greece). Specialized Greek stamp catalogs will also provide detailed listings.
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