Issue date: 02 Jul, 2012
To commemorate the centennial of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), three stamps are issued devoted to important figures related to the Olympics. The COE's main role is the development and diffusion of Olympic ideals.
In chronological order, the first of the stamps depicts Lucio Lucius Minicius Natalis, born in Barcino (Roman Barcelona) in the year 96 AD. His father was a Senator who held important positions during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian. From him Lucio inherited his vocation for politics and even became consul of Africa (now Libya). In the year 129 he won, together with Tarraco, the best charioteer of the time the chariot race of the 227th Olympiad Hellenic Games. His fame spread throughout the territory of Tarragona and the Roman Empire and in remembrance of this victory a bronze statue depicting a chariot was set up near the hippodrome of Olympia.
Gonzalo de Figueroa y Torres was born in Madrid in 1861 and died in Switzerland in 1921. He was responsible for the creation of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) on November 23rd, 1912. The history of the COE goes back to the early 20th century when Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, contacted the Spanish Royal Family and requested the appointment of a representative in the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Queen Regent Maria Cristina commissioned this petition to Prince Charles of Bourbon, who appointed Gonzalo de Figueroa y Torres, Count of Mejorada del Campo and Earl of Villamejor. From his position as an IOC member he promoted the establishment of the COE, of which he became president from its foundation in 1912 till his death in 1921.
Juan Antonio Samaranch (Barcelona, 1920-2010) was president of the IOC from 1980 to 2001. He was related to the world of sport from a very early age and became a national delegate for sports and president of the COE between 1967 and 1970. In 1980 he was appointed president of the IOC and worked to put an end to the political boycott of the Olympic games of the 80’s and also encouraged the participation of professional athletes thus improving the competitive level. He was very fond of philately and owned one of the most important stamp collections on Olympics. His interest in philately led him to endorse the creation of the International Olympic Philatelic Federation, comprising more than thirty associations around the world.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.