Description: This Greek postage stamp showcases the obverse and reverse faces of a fifth-century B.C. silver tetradrachm from the ancient city-state of Abdera in Thrace. The left medallion prominently displays a detailed engraving of a mythical griffin—a creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle—depicted rearing up on its hind legs with its left forepaw raised. The right medallion illustrates the coin's reverse, which features a classic four-quadrant quadrate incuse square design. These ancient elements are rendered in a bright metallic-gold simulation against a solid, intense magenta background block. The bottom boundary contains the country name "ΕΛΛΑΣ" (Hellas) alongside the denomination "ΔΡ. 1.50" (1.50 drachmae). Vertical Greek inscriptions accenting the left and right interior edges denote historical context regarding the ancient coin's origin.
Circa: 1959
Condition: Used - Hinged
Notes:
This postally cancelled example shows heavy wear, including a completely torn away top-right corner margin and an irregular bottom-left corner that significantly reduces its physical grade. A prominent black circular cancel wave sweeps across the left side of the paper face, leaving the intricate details of the incuse square medallion on the right cleanly visible. The griffin motif seen on the original silver coin was chosen by the mint of Abdera because the city was founded by colonists from Teos, an Ionian city that also utilized the griffin as its primary civic badge and protective emblem.