Standing Helvetia Issue of Switzerland
2018-09-11 Tue
Standing Helvetia stamps are among the most beautiful of any 19th Century definitive issues, and they are one of the most popular collecting specialities with Swiss philatelists. Swiss stamps of the Standing Helvetia design were first issued in 1882, replacing the perforated Sitting Helvetia Issues.The fashion of depicting the Swiss Confederacy in terms of female allegories arises in the 17th century, which has been followed through so many years by the Swiss post as well. The Swiss post issued a series of stamps depicting the Helvetia- female national personification of the country.
The stamp features the allegory pictured in a flowing gown, with a spear in right hand and a shield emblazoned with the Swiss flag in left hand. She is commonly shown with braided hair and wearing a wreath as a symbol of Confederation.
She is standing in a starred vignette inscribed with Helvetia on top. The value in numerals can be seen on the top as well as at the bottom flanked by the denomination (Franco in this case). The stamps with the depiction of Helvetia were issued between the years 1882 and 1891 with the denominations ranging from 2 Cents to 3 Francs.
Helvetia is the female national personification of Switzerland, officially Confœderatio Helvetica: the Swiss Confederation. The name is a derivation of the ethnonym Helvetii, the name of the Gaulish tribe inhabiting the Swiss Plateau prior to the Roman conquest. This is why the Swiss stamps bear the indication "Helvetia" which indicates Switzerland.
Image Courtesy: https://colnect.com
Latest News
-
Panchala King Bhanumitra Copper Coin
2024-04-26 FriThe Panchala kingdom was ruled by the Mitra kings. The Mitra kings are known to issue coins and most...
-
Mahatma
2024-04-25 ThuIndia Post issued a commemorative postage stamp on #LalaHansraj, also known as Mahatma Hansraj for�...
-
Berar Mint of Muhammad Akbar
2024-04-25 ThuBerar was a kingdom located in the Deccan region, with Elichpur as its capital. It was one of the Su...
-
Janma Kalnayak of Bhagwan Mahavir
2024-04-24 WedOn 21st April 2024 which was the 2550th Janma Kalnyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir Swami, PM Modi unveile...
-
Gold Pagoda of Vijaynagar Empire King Deva Raya I
2024-04-10 WedKing Deva Raya I of the Vijayanagara Empire was a patron of Kannada literature and architecture. He ...