Hermes Postage Appraisal

Greek 5 Lepta Hermes Postage Stamp

This item is a vintage Greek postage stamp, denominated at 5 Lepta, featuring a classical depiction of the Greek god Hermes. The stamp is printed in a dark green ink on what appears to be off-white or cream-colored paper. The design is framed by two ornate pillars in the Ionic or Corinthian style, supporting an architrave-like structure at the top. The upper section of the stamp clearly displays the Greek word 'ΕΛΛΑΣ' (ELLAS), meaning Greece, in bold, sans-serif capital letters. Below this, the central motif is a dynamically posed male figure, likely Hermes, depicted in classical Greco-Roman style. He is shown with a caduceus, his traditional staff, in his left hand, and appears to be leaning over or manipulating something at his feet, possibly a small animal or object, rendered in a somewhat abstract form. He has winged sandals, a characteristic attribute of Hermes. At the bottom of the stamp, the denomination '5' is prominently displayed on both the left and right sides, flanking the word 'ΛΕΠΤΑ' (LEPTA), signifying the currency unit. The stamp exhibits visible signs of age and wear. There are clear indications of perforation along all four edges, suggesting it was part of a larger sheet. A dark, possibly black, circular postmark is partially visible in the upper left quadrant, obscuring part of the 'ΕΛΛΑΣ' text and the top of the left pillar, indicating it has been used. The paper appears slightly discolored or toned with age, and there might be some minor creasing or handling marks, though these are not severe. The print quality appears generally good, with reasonable detail preserved in the engraving, despite the overall muted color palette. The style suggests it belongs to an early to mid-20th-century philatelic period, possibly pre-World War II, given the classical theme and printing method.