TurulBélyeg: Wissensdatenbank

In the late 1890s, the explosive growth of international postal traffic necessitated standardisation. The UPU (Universal Postal Union), the international organisation of the world's postal services, made a recommendation for colour harmonisation at this time.

The goal was for postal workers anywhere in the world to be able to identify the type of item immediately based on the stamp's colour. Thus, the 5 filler Turul – which was the basic domestic and international postcard rate – received a green colour.

What Is the UPU?

The UPU was founded in Bern in 1874 and still operates there today as the world's second oldest international organisation. Its responsibilities include:

• establishing international postal regulations,
• coordinating services among member countries,
• providing technical and professional support,
• standardising international letter and parcel traffic.

The International Colour System

At the turn of the 19th–20th centuries, the UPU proposed a specific colour code for the most common international rates:

• Green – Postcard (in Hungary, the 5 filler),
• Red – Letter rate (in Hungary, the 10 filler),
• Blue – Registered item or international letter.

This system influenced many countries (for example, the USA also switched to green for postcard stamps in 1898), but it did not extend to all denominations, particularly not to higher values.

The Mystery of the 60 Filler and Shades

Interestingly, while green was mandatory for the 5 filler, there was no UPU recommendation for the 60 filler. That it also received a greenish shade was most likely an aesthetic or printing-technical consideration.

However, it can cause headaches for collectors that although the 5 filler is officially grass-green, due to printing variations there are also pale green and yellowish-green variants, which can easily be confused with the 60 filler.

Tip for collectors: Always pay attention to the value inscription alongside the colour, because the overlap of green shades can sometimes make visual identification deceptive!