BulgariaFirst Postage Stamp

Before the lev, there were centimes

Emerging from centuries under Ottoman rule, Bulgaria issued its first stamps in May 1879, a defining declaration of autonomy and rebirth. Printed in St. Petersburg, Russia, a set of five values was released together. Interestingly, the stamps were denominated in French centimes, despite francs never being used in Bulgaria. Likely a symbolic placeholder before the lev and stotinki became official in 1881. Known as the “Centimes” issue, they featured the crowned lion of Bulgaria, symbolising the nation’s struggle for independence. What strikes me is how modern they look. Next to many first issues from the 1870s in collections, they feel decades ahead. Cleaner printing, brighter colours, sharper typography. Fournier forgeries exist. The easiest tells are the crude line perforation, especially visible in the corners, and colours that often differ noticeably from the genuine stamps. A newly reborn country, still searching for its own currency, already producing stamps that looked remarkably mature.