Austrian Stamp Celebrates 170 Years of Sparkasse Nieder├╢sterreich Mitte West, Features Unique Building Pictorial Cancellation
ST. P├ЦLTEN, AUSTRIA - The Sparkasse Nieder├╢sterreich Mitte West (Savings Bank of Lower Austria, Middle West) is marking its 170th anniversary with the release of a special commemorative pictorial cancellation issued by Austrian Post. The cachet , alongside a striking pictorial cancellation featuring the bank's historic building, celebrates the institution's long-standing service to the community.
The stamp itself showcases a detailed illustration of two distinct mushroom species: the "Frauen-T├дubling" (Russula cyanoxantha, or the "Dappled Bay Bolete") and the "Parasol" (Macrolepiota procera). While seemingly unconventional, the mushroom motif highlights Austria's rich biodiversity and perhaps symbolizes growth and stability, qualities associated with the bank's enduring presence. The stamp also features the anniversary dates, "1854" and "2024," and the "├Цsterreich" (Austria) designation along with the denomination "95" (likely Euro cents).
What truly sets this issue apart is the unique pictorial cancellation. It depicts the bank's architecturally significant building in St. P├╢lten, a testament to the region's history and the bank's central role within it. The detailed rendering of the building within the circular cancellation adds a layer of local historical context to the stamp, making it particularly appealing to philatelists and residents of St. P├╢lten.
The double cancellation further enhances the stamp's collectible value. The standard postmark includes the date "14. J├дnner 2025" (January 14, 2025) and "3100 St. P├╢lten," while the pictorial cancellation overlaps, showcasing the building's facade. This combination of imagery and text encapsulates both the celebration of the anniversary and the bank's physical presence in the community.
This commemorative issue is expected to be popular among stamp collectors, particularly those specializing in Austrian or thematic (architecture, mushrooms) philately. The combination of the nature-themed stamp design and the historically relevant pictorial cancellation makes it a unique and noteworthy addition to any collection.
The Sparkasse Nieder├╢sterreich Mitte West's 170th anniversary stamp not only serves as a postal tribute but also as a historical record, capturing a moment in time and celebrating the enduring connection between the institution and the community it serves. It is a tangible reminder of the bank's legacy and its ongoing commitment to the region's prosperity.