Greece — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

ELTA (Hellenic Post / Ελληνικά Ταχυδρομεία) is Greece’s national postal operator, a state-owned company. Greece’s philatelic history is among Europe’s most distinguished, with the Hermes Head series of 1861 considered among the most artistically accomplished stamps ever produced. ELTA issues stamps that frequently reflect Greece’s extraordinary classical heritage, Byzantine history, and modern achievements. The Hellas catalogue, published by the Hellenic Philatelic Society, is the standard reference.

Notable Stamp Issues

The 1861 Large Hermes Head, engraved by Karl Merontek and printed in Paris, depicts the messenger god Hermes and is widely regarded as one of the most beautifully designed classic stamps in the world. The series ran through multiple printings with different colours, papers, and plates — creating a rich specialist area. The 1896 Olympic Games stamps mark the first modern Olympic revival and are among the most historically significant commemoratives ever issued. Greece’s 1927 Landscapes definitives are finely executed. Modern Greek stamps regularly feature antiquities, Byzantine art, and Olympic history.

Collecting Tips

The Hellas catalogue (published by the Greek Philatelic Society) documents plate varieties extensively. The Large and Small Hermes Head issues require specialist knowledge of printings, papers, and cancellations. First Athens and Paris printings differ significantly in paper and colour. Greek cancellation study is a rich discipline. Greece’s French and Austrian occupation stamps (WWI era) and German occupation stamps (WWII) are specialist areas. The 1896 Olympic stamps are historically significant and widely sought.

Part of the Europe Postal Directory.