europa stamps: August 2026

Wednesday, August 12

Cyprus 1974 - Focus

Cyprus

29th April 1974 - "Sculpture"
design : unknown
printer: unknown

Cyprus Post has selected only one design to appear on its three stamps (10 ; 40 & 150 Cypriot mils).

It is not strictly speaking a sculpture but an ancient coin.

A 4th-century BC Cypriot coin of the Kingdom of Marion depicting the rape of Europe by Zeus transfigured into a bull, the inscription "King Timocharis" in Cypriot syllabary.

What better way to illustrate a Europa stamp than with Europe!

This coin also appeared on the Cypriot 50 cent coin in use until Cyprus adopted the euro in 2008.

1974

Europe

Issue n°19 - 1974

"Sculptures"

Number of countries : 23
Debuting countries : none
Returning countries : Sweden
Withdrawing countries : the Netherlands, Norway

Since 1974, a common theme replaces the common design system used since 1956! Only the CEPT logo (or letters) on each stamp indicates that the stamp is a "Europa stamp".

27.04.1974 Andorra (French post)

29.04.1974 Andorra (Spanish post)

08.05.1974 Austria

04.05.1974 Belgium

29.04.1974 Cyprus

29.04.1974 Finland

22.04.1974 France

10.05.1974 Greece

29.04.1974 Iceland

29.04.1974 Ireland

29.04.1974 Italy

21.03.1974 Liechtenstein

29.04.1974 Luxembourg

13.07.1974 Malta

08.05.1974 Monaco

29.04.1974 Portugal

09.05.1974 San Marino

29.04.1974 Spain

29.04.1974 Sweden

28.03.1974 Switzerland

29.04.1974 Turkey

17.04.1974 West-Germany

29.04.1974 Yugoslavia

Note : The theme for the years 1974-76 was "Work of art" subdivided like this :

"Sculptures" in '74 ; "Paintings" in '75 and "Handicrafts" in '76.

Interesting to note, that the CEPT logo is depicted on the stamps of only 15 countries, the other 8 countries just add the CEPT letters on their stamps.

Most stamps issued on the 29th April.