How to Identify Bulgarian Postage Stamps
Avid stamp collectors thoroughly enjoy obtaining stamps from every possible era in every country across the globe. Bulgarian postage stamps are no exception to a committed stamp collector's acquisitions. However, amidst a history full of postage, it can be difficult to determine where a stamp originated. Learn how to identify Bulgarian postage stamps as you add to your collection.
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Instructions
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Look for the word Bulgaria. While modern Bulgarian stamps show this in English, you will have to look a bit more closely for vintage stamps. Specifically, some of the Bulgarian words that may appear on old stamps look like the following: 'ЪΛГАРИЯ (most frequently--see image), 'bЛΓAPCKA, 'bЛΓAPK, 'bЛΓAPИЯ or 'b3"ЧЩHA.
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Examine the postage amount listed on the stamp. Bulgarians express currency with commas rather than decimals. For example, modern Bulgarian stamps might be for 0,55 or 1,00 leva (the Bulgarian currency). Sometimes, instead of a comma, the Bulgarian word "Λеба" appears between the first and second numerals, or after the postage currency. This is how "leva" appears in Bulgarian text.
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Find the word "noщa" on the stamp. This typically follows the word for Bulgaria and indicates the location of the stamp manufacturer (Nowa, Bulgaria).
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Match the depictions of events on vintage Bulgarian stamps with points in Bulgarian history, such as the first and second Bulgarian kingdoms, images of leaders when Bulgaria was under foreign bondage or heroes during the National Revival (see Resources for examples).
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Tips & Warnings
The print on some Bulgarian stamps is small and hard to read. Use a magnifying glass to accurately assess the text and markings on your stamps.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bgstamps.net
