North Macedonia 2025

North Macedonia

Date of Issue: 7th May 2025

two stamps (100.- & 184.- MKD) 

Cyprus (Turkish post) 2025

Cyprus (Turkish post)

Date of Issue: 8th May 2025

two stamps (5.50 & 38.- TRY)

both stamps are also issued mini-sheets of 8 stamps

A Late Bronze Age anchor stone (ca. 1479–1100 BCE) discovered by archaeologists at the Archaeological Cultural Heritage Research Center. It features 13 inscribed lines in Syrian-type hieroglyphics, and likely belonged to a ship transformed into a talisman by ancient mariners.

A Late Bronze Age “ritual cart” (ca. 1200 BCE), unearthed at Kaleburnu Royal Hill by archaeologist Dr. Bülent Kızılduman. This four-wheeled bronze cart, likely used in sacred ceremonies, was found with over 40 other ritual objects.

NOTE : the stamps issued by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus aren't recognized on an international level, not by the UPU nor by PostEurop.

Serbia 2025

Serbia

Date of Issue: 6th May 2025

two stamps (60.- & 120.- RSD) 

both stamps are issued in mini-sheets of 8 stamps + 1 vignette

The most significant prehistoric archaeological sites in Serbia – Lepenski Vir and Vinča, represent important evidence of the life of the first human communities in the Balkans.

Motifs from the Vinča site (Neolithic) on a sheet of 60 RSD denomination: on the stamp – Anthropomorphic figurine (15x6.5cm); on the vignette – Altar with zoomorphic protomes (8.5x11cm).

Motifs from the Lepenski Vir site on a sheet of 120 RSD denomination, sculptures made of quartz sandstone (Mesolithic): on the stamp – Foremother (36x26x48cm, 38.5kg); on the vignette – Progenitor (40x25x53cm, 55kg).

NOTE - The "Foremother" was already depicted on a Europa stamp from Yugoslavia in 1974

Luxembourg 2025

Luxembourg

Date of Issue: 6th May 2025

two stamps (L50g & E50g = 1.20 & 1.70 €) 

those stamps are issued in mini-sheets of 10 stamps

The Gallo-Roman theatre in Dalheim/Ricciacum
Discovered by chance in 1985, the theatre is one of the most important Roman sites in Luxembourg, both from an archaeological and a tourism perspective, thanks to its good state of preservation.

Built at the beginning of the 2nd century, the theatre was able to seat up to 3,000 people and served as the cultural, religious and administrative centre of an entire region for over two centuries.

The Gallo-Roman villa in Schieren
With 13 known outbuildings, a thermal bath complex with heated pools, and a typical main building, the Gallo-Roman villa in Schieren covers an area of over seven hectares.

The main building had an open colonnade, and its interior was decorated with colourful murals featuring mythological, figurative and geometric designs. The remains of a multicoloured mosaic floor were also found.

Cyprus 2025

Cyprus

Date of Issue: 9th May 2025

two stamps se-tenant (2x 0.64 €)

both stamps are issued in a mini sheet of 8 stamps (4 of each)

both stamps are also issued in one booklet of 8 stamps (4 of each) - stamps from the booklet aren't perforated on one side

Mosaic Floor Depicting a Hippodrome Scene

The mosaic floor depicting a hippodrome scene was discovered during excavations conducted by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus near the community of Akaki, Nicosia District. It is part of the floor decoration of a rural villa dating to the 4^th century AD, which was excavated between 2023 and 2024.

The mosaic floor, measuring twenty-six meters in length, illustrates a chariot race unfolding within a hippodrome, which is rendered with great detail. The euripus or spina is clearly depicted, featuring various shrines, columns, obelisks, and sculptures that were used for timekeeping and lap counting during the race.

Four tethrippon (four-horse chariots) participate in the race, shown in four different phases of the competition. Each chariot is accompanied by two names written in Greek: the name of the charioteer and the name of one of the horses, allowing to follow the progression of the race.

The newly discovered mosaic from Akaki is unique in Cyprus and stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship but also because it provides a rare iconographic representation of chariot race during the Roman period.

Malta 2025

Malta

Date of Issue: 9th May 2025

two stamps (1.91 & 2.- €)

 

both stamps are issued in mini-sheets of 11 stamps + 1 vignettes

the 1.91 € value stamp is also issued in a booklet of 5 stamps + 1 vignette

The MaltaPost issue consists of two new stamps showing artefacts found within Phoenician rock-cut tombs excavated at GKlieb and GQajjet in the outskirts of Rabat, in an area that served as a cemetery for the first Phoenicians who settled in Malta around 2,700 years ago. The Phoenicians were renowned seafarers from the Eastern Mediterranean, who set their sights on Malta's strategic location and established settlements to serve as crucial points along their expansive trade routes - these stretched from the Levant to the Western edges of the Mediterranean.

The three newly discovered Phoenician tombs each consist of a rectangular or oval shaped shaft cut into the rock, which leads to a rectangular or oval burial chamber, where human remains and objects were buried. These tombs shed light on the burial rituals of the earliest Phoenicians on the Islands. The 1.91 stamp shows pottery vessels used as drinking cups, jugs and storage jars. The majority of pottery items were clearly made in Malta as is evident from the distinct local style. The stamp, carrying a denomination of 2.00, portrays personal jewellery items including earrings, bangles, rings and beads found within large storage containers, together with cremated human remains. Such prized objects could have been heirlooms, passed on from one generation to the next. Both the pottery and jewellery items can be dated to the 7th century Before the Common Era (BCE).

the Netherlands 2025

the Netherlands

Date of Issue: 9th May 2025

one stamp (International 1 value = 1.90 €)

this stamp is issued in a mini-sheet of 6 stamps

One of the most famous archaeological finds in our country is the 8.5 cm fibula of Dorestad. The cloak pin was made around 800 AD. In 1969, the fibula was found in a well from the time of Dorestad, where Wijk bij Duurstede is now located. During the reign of Charlemagne of the Franks (768-814), Dorestad was the largest and richest trading city in the Netherlands. The golden fibula is inlaid with various colours of glass, gemstones of almandine, pearls, and enamel. Over time, some stones have disappeared, as has the pin on the back. Various shapes can be recognised in the inlay work, such as crosses, volutes, and a small tree with leaves and fruits. The crosses of the gemstones and pearls probably indicate that the brooch was worn as subtle propaganda for the increasingly popular Christianity in the Netherlands. Round fibulae were mainly worn by ladies, and especially high-ranking ladies promoted the new faith. The style of the fibula of Dorestad is that of ecclesiastical goldsmithing, made in Burgundian workshops from the time of Charlemagne. The fibula, one of the masterpieces of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, is included in the Canon of the Netherlands under the theme Charlemagne.