Armenia — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

HayPost (Հայփոստ) is Armenia’s national postal operator. Armenia’s stamp-issuing history has two periods: the First Republic of Armenia (1919–1920) and the post-Soviet Republic of Armenia (1992–present). The First Republic’s brief independent existence produced distinctive stamps before Soviet annexation in 1920. Armenia is notable as one of the world’s oldest Christian nations (adopting Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD) and this heritage features prominently in its modern stamp programme.

Notable Stamp Issues

Armenia’s 1919 first stamps depicted Mount Ararat — the sacred national mountain now located within Turkey — and Armenian symbols. The Russian stamps overprinted for Armenia (1919–1920) are historically significant. Post-Soviet stamps from 1992 feature Yerevan’s skyline, the Garni Temple, the Geghard Monastery, and the Zvartnots Cathedral. Armenian stamps commemorating the 1915 Genocide — recognised by many countries — are among philately’s most historically charged modern issues. The Armenian alphabet (developed in 405 AD) features on many stamps.

Collecting Tips

First Republic Armenian stamps (1919–1920) are rare and should be expertised. Post-1992 Republic stamps are well-catalogued in Michel. Genocide commemoration stamps attract historical and Jewish thematic collectors as parallel documentation of mass atrocity. Mount Ararat is an enduring and emotionally powerful theme. The Ararat cognac brand (a longstanding Armenian cultural institution) has appeared on some thematic issues. Armenia also produces stamps on the Armenian diaspora worldwide.

Part of the Europe Postal Directory.