Hellenic Postal Service Stamp Appraisal

Greek 30 Lepta Hermes Head Postage Stamp (Used)

This item is a used Greek postage stamp, featuring a design known as the 'Hermes Head' issue. The stamp is predominantly red in coloration, employing a distinctive shade often referred to as carmine or brick red, printed on off-white or cream-colored paper. The central vignette depicts the Greek god Hermes, traditionally portrayed with a winged helmet, though in this depiction he appears as a classical figure, possibly a warrior or messenger, draped in a robe and holding a large shield with a distinctive pattern. He stands in front of a classical Greek architectural facade, characterized by fluted columns and an architrave. The country name "ΕΛΛΑΣ" (ELLAS - Greece in Greek) is visible at the top, inscribed within a rectangular banner. The denomination '30 ΛΕΠΤΑ 30' (30 Lepta) is clearly displayed at the bottom, also within a rectangular banner, with '30' appearing on both the left and right sides and 'ΛΕΠΤΑ' (Lepta) in the center, transliterating to 'Lepta,' the Greek currency unit. The stamp exhibits perforation along its edges, indicating it was separated from a sheet. A prominent cancellation mark, possibly in a dark green or black ink, diagonally crosses the stamp, obscuring some details of the central figure and the top inscription. This cancellation suggests the stamp has been used for postal services. The overall condition shows signs of age and use, consistent with a vintage postage stamp. The image quality is somewhat soft, making precise identification of minute details challenging, but the general style points to a 19th or early 20th-century origin, characteristic of classic Greek stamp issues.