Scott No: 3375-6
Serial number: 2004-16
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 160 fen
Date of issue: August 13, 2004
Designer: Ma Gang
Size of stamp: 33*33mm
Perforation: 13
Sheet composition:
16 for Sheet I;
8 (4 sets) for Sheet II
Printing process: gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This commemorative stamp set, From Athens to Beijing, was issued on August 13, 2004. It consists of two stamps with a total face value of 1.60 yuan, jointly issued by China and Greece, designed by Ma Gang, with Shi Yuan serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. The stamps measure 33×33 mm, with a perforation gauge of 13. Sheet I contains 12 stamps, while Sheet II is an 8-stamp self-adhesive miniature sheet. The print run was 12.5 million sets. Issued on the opening day of the 28th Olympic Games in Athens, the stamps mark the passing of the Olympic flame from Athens to Beijing. The two stamps feature iconic classical buildings from each country, symbolizing the handover of the Olympic flame and the continuation of the Olympic spirit.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Parthenon in Athens

The stamp features the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens, a magnificent ancient marble temple that is the birthplace of both ancient Greek civilization and the modern Olympic movement. The Olympic rings are placed above the image, representing Greece as the host of the current Games.

Temple of Heaven in Beijing

The main image is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, a classic symbol of Chinese architecture. The Olympic rings are also placed above, symbolizing the world's anticipation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and completing the cultural relay between host cities.

Artistic and Design Features

The square format is neat and elegant. The soft, subtle background colors highlight the solemn and grand character of the ancient architecture. The buildings are depicted with realistic detail, and the Olympic rings are prominently featured. The photogravure printing provides warm and soft colors. The stamps incorporate multiple anti-counterfeiting features, including security paper, security ink, and fluorescent spray codes. The two stamps form a complementary pair, carrying both the commemorative significance of an international joint issue and the historic value of the Olympic handover.

This stamp set is a commemorative issue on the theme of the Olympic Games and international joint issues, suitable for thematic collections on the Olympics and Sino-foreign joint stamp issues.