Greece Hermes Head Stamps

I think I found a few money stamps,they are doing quite well for used prices I see..what do you guys think about these?
















Is there anything super special to look for in Greece or any other countries that I can do a quick look through my books here to see if I have it? Its driving me nuts that I havnt found anything really hot yet and I know its gotta be here hahahha

The early Greece are REAlLY complicated. You might have better luck with Great Britain and the Scandinavian countries, they are relatively easy to identify, with rarities sprinkled throughout the 19th century.

You can do your own investigation with a little knowledge.

What you are showing are the "Small Hermes Heads"- 1886-1895.

They are definitely not as tough to figure out as the "Large Hermes Heads".

The come both Imperforate and Perforate, and the Scott catalogue gives a major number to each type.

The most significant difference are between the "Clear Impressions". the Belgian Print, and the "Rough, or Poor Impression", the Athens printing.

Let's take a look....


1886-88 Scott 71 50L gray green

Note the fine lines. This is a "clear" Belgium Print.

Now for a "Rougher" Print...


1889-95 Scott 90 1L black brown

Note the quite "rough" print: The beard etc

Let's take a look at a same denomination stamp with both a "clear" and a "rough" print...


1886-88 Scott 72 1d gray; 1895 Scott 99 1d gray

Note the "rough" and "clear" printings...

Although we have been looking at unperforated examples, the same goes for the perforated specimens....


1891 Scott 88 50L gray green; 1889-95 Scott 109 5L pale green

Which one is "clear" and which one is "rough"?

Yes, you got it.

Admittedly, not all stamp prints will always show this easily, but one should be able to generally suspect the stamp is "clear" or "rough".

That's about it for the Scott catalogue.

(If you want to get sophisticated, and break down further, check the Hellas catalogue. )

Usually, when we talk about the Greece Hermes heads, we are talking about the very first design in which there are no numbers in the bottom corners. Known as the large Hermes heads.

For examples of these, see this thread along with Vasia's posts in that thread: https://goscf.com/t/18134

Your stamps are known as the small Hermes heads. I see that Jim has already replied while I was typing. So you can just read his post.

I didn't check for color varieties, but the stamps you posted do not hold any major premiums (i.e., all <$10). There are a couple of stamps in that set that do catalog for >$100, but your pics don't show any of those.

Hi

Greats tips !

First issues of Greece (large Hermes heads) are the most complicated to classify properly...in world's philately.
With printings made in Paris and Athens, clear and worn plates, difficult shades, etc...what a mess !

However all that makes it a fun and exciting adventure !

Very good and thank you for the very rewarding lesson here,more learned again!

Oh my... and I was trying to delve into less complicated - (actually I love the challenge of learning). Through a lot that I acquired, I found some small Hermes heads. I will be trying to ID them through my Scott catalog. Also seem that I need to look for clear impressions versus - not so clear...anyhow, I will be working those.

My question: With the small Hermes heads, I found what I believe to be a Large Hermes head? possible a Scott A1 56 pale rose. Any insight is appreciated. Pics included.

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Mrita,
Your last scan is indeed a Large Hermes Head, probably Scott #56 as you say. Note that Scott says "aniline ink." That means a type of ink that should not be subjected to water or any other liquid. Doing so would have a bad effect on the color.

EMaxim - thank you for pointing that out regarding no water - I usually soak off the hinges. Now I know with that ink it is a no no.