The first stamp issued
The first stamp issued by the Grand Magistry Post Office is dated November 15, 1966. Stamps were issued in the Order’s monetary units, i.e., in scudos and fractions of tari and grani (for example: 1 scudo = 12 tari= 240 grani).
This first series consisted of nine stamps of varying values, illustrated with the Order’s symbols and images. Since this first set, stamps have featured the Order’s history, its charitable and humanitarian works, its artistic heritage, Religion.
Each year, a stamp issue is devoted to St. John the Baptist, the Order’s Patron Saint, and to the celebration of Christmas. Of particular interest to philatelists are the three sheets of stamps, also issued annually, which feature works of art representing the Order’s aesthetic and cultural message.
Since 1 January 2005 the values of the stamps are expressed in Euro.
The stamps were first printed by Thomas De La Rue in London, but are now produced at Cartor Security Printing, La Loupe, France.
Mail stamped with Sovereign Order of Malta stamps can be sent to the countries listed below, provided it is posted at the Magistral Post Office, Via delle Carrozze 79, Rome.