My Stamps Today : Andorra/ Coat Of Arms 17 May 2012

Thank You Nigel(and Kim) for all the interesting information on the Epirus stamps. Wow! I will certainly look at the link you have provided! What you said about the flags is quite interesting!

Thank you TinMan! Yes, those New Caledonia stamps are quite eye catching! I have recently begun to focus on stamps from USA. I am enjoying it!

Ann

The stamps with "four languages" are from Eastern Rumelia, which was a province of Turkey, but revolted in 1885 to unite with Bulgaria and became South Bulgaria. Stamps were issued from 1880 until 1886 when Bulgarian stamps superceded them. The 10 para is Scott #11, issued in 1881. The 1 piastre appears to be Scott #18, issued in 1884. I say appears because the #18 is listed as being blue and pale blue, and the "pale blue" on the scan looks gray green. This stamp was not issued according to Scott.

Thank You Murdo01 for your input! I had the same question about the 1 piastre it isn't a pale blue but closer to a grey green as shown in scan. Thats right Scott #18 has no mention of a gray green.
Interesting!

If you're really into Ottoman/Turkish Philately, you may want to invest in a Pulko catalog. It's published in Turkey and lists more variations. There's a multi volume catalog for cancellations by coles and walker which has always been on my dreamlist.

Thank You Ajnabii for that information. I do like the stamps of the Ottoman period and have not yet pursued them seriously. But if I do I would need those catalogs for sure!. Is the Pulko catalog available in English?

Re Israel Stamps:

The Tabul sheet commemorates the first rebellion coins. Specifically, it shows the lowest denomination of the coins struck by the rebels. The inscription on the coin is written in ancient Hebrew writing and says " Year Three".

Since the rebellion started on 66AD the coin must have been struck on 69AD, just a year before the temple in Jerusalem was destructed, and four years before the battle of Masada which completed the Roman reconquering of the Land of Israel.

The coin depicts an Amphora. In accordance with the second commandment Jewish ancient coins and art never used human figures or faces on coins or mosaics.
Modern Israel coins use motifs from ancient coins. The 1st rebellion Amphora was used on 1949 10 Prutah coin (10/1000 of the Israeli Lira). It can be seen here:

http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...&desc=Israel km11 10 Prutah (1949)&query=Israel

Jewish dating system records the years from Creation. Dates are written in letters rather than in numbers.



I hope this helps....

Thank You Sea Horse! That is extremely helpful I am going to copy and paste what you wrote closer to where the FDC has been posted. I would want others to read what you have shared.. Good Job!

stamp4life,

With pleasure....