The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in April 1896, and Greece issued a series of twelve stamps to mark the occasion. The designs, by Professor Gillieron, were based on ancient Greek art and architecture connected with the games.

stamp-greece-1896-1l

stamp-greece-1896-5l

Two small designs featuring nude boxers and Myron’s famous statue of the discus-thrower were used for the 1, 2, 5 and 10 lepta values.

stamp-greece-1896-20l

stamp-greece-1896-25l

Two double-sized designs were used for the 20, 25, 40 and 60 lepta denominations, which showed an Attic amphora (wine-jar) and the goddess of Victory in a four-horse chariot.

stamp-greece-1896-10d

stamp-greece-1896-1d

The 1 and 10 drachmae stamps featured Athenian landmarks showing the Acropolis, Parthenon and Olympic stadium. The 2 and 5 drachmae values, which were in vertical format, reproduced famous statues; the Hermes of Praxiteles and the Nike (goddess of Victory) by Paeonius, both of which had recently been excavated at Olympia.

stamp-greece-1896-2d

stamp-greece-1896-5d

Five denominations of this series were re-issued between 1900 and 1901, surcharged with new values.