Digital Philately. Polish Post introduces a new collection of Cryptostamps.
Just over a year after the presentation of the first "Poland in Space" Cryptostamp collection, Poczta Polska is introducing the second issue, "In the Skies." The new issue went on sale on March 27th of this year. Online digital collecting, utilizing blockchain technology, is now a reality.
The "In the Skies" issue is the latest main collection of the Polish Cryptostamp, designated number 2.0. It presents surreal balloon paintings by the renowned artist Andrzej Gosik, who is both a painter, illustrator, and watercolorist. The compositions are full of fairy-tale references, enigmatic in nature, and dominated by an unusual language of form. A key element of this style is ambiguity, which encourages deeper reflection and personal interpretation. The entire collection of Gosik's artwork was presented in 2022 at an exhibition organized at the Łańcut Castle-Museum, as a tribute to Jan Potocki, the first Pole to make a balloon journey in 1790.
Inspired by these works of art, Roch Stefaniak created four categories of the Polish Cryptostamp 2.0, which also serve as an excellent showcase for Polish contemporary painting. These extraordinary balloon images have been used in both traditional postage stamp designs (issued on October 18, 2023) and in the form of Cryptostamps.
The balloon motif was also used and appeared in the fifth category of the Polish Cryptostamp (digital version only), created using artificial intelligence and available in four different graphic variants. AI currently plays a significant role in the progress of many areas of life, influencing the optimization of various processes. In the field of art, as is the case with the Polish Cryptostamp, artificial intelligence can support artists in creating unique works, contributing to the enrichment of culture and opening up new possibilities for artistic expression.
By issuing the Cryptostamp, Poczta Polska (Polish Post) is combining traditional postal services with modern technologies, bringing philately to the digital stage. Thanks to the Cryptostamp, traditional stamp collecting and exchange is now available online via blockchain, transforming NFT tokens into digital collectibles.
After purchasing, the customer receives both the traditional version of the stamp and special codes to download the digital version to their wallet. This allows the collector to store the traditional version of the Cryptostamp in a binder, while the digital version can be placed in the Cryptoclasser.
Traditional philatelic folders with a special NFT addition and FDC envelopes accompanying the issue
The Polish Cryptostamp 2.0 collection includes a folder with a traditional, non-perforated stamp of this issue, limited to 2,000 copies. Furthermore, each copy of the folder contains an NFT token with a reference to a dedicated animation and four cards issued on polyvinyl chloride, graphically referring to the stamps of this issue.
The issue is also accompanied by an NFT Crypto Envelope with a Crypto Stamp, available in 4 price categories depending on the selected Crypto Stamp.
The Polish Cryptostamp Collection also includes digital Philatelic Thalers, which are a special type of token.
Current Polish Post Cryptocurrencies
In addition to the main collections, Poczta Polska issued limited edition special collections in 2023, such as the "Relief of Vienna" and "Battle of Chocim" crypto stamps, accompanied by unique FDC crypto envelopes and crypto folders. In cooperation with Polish Radio, unique crypto postcards and NFT music cards were also introduced. This is the first release of its kind in the world, available in a limited edition of 4,000 copies.
The collection is available in our online store: sklep.poczta-polska.pl
About the Cryptostamps "In the Sky":
CATEGORY 1
Paper: fluorescent with a grammage from 85 to 115 g/m2
Block format: 121 x 63 mm
Stamp format: 39.5 x 51 mm
Colors: basic paints (CMYK) + inkjet (personalization)
Circulation: 7,000 pcs.
Stamp face value: PLN 3.90
Crypto stamp price: PLN 18.50
CATEGORY 2
Paper: fluorescent with a grammage from 85 to 115 g/m2
Block format: 121 x 63 mm
Stamp format: 39.5 x 51 mm
Colors: basic paints (CMYK) + metallic paint + inkjet (personalization)
Circulation: 5,000 pcs.
Stamp face value: PLN 3.90
Crypto stamp price: PLN 30.80
CATEGORY 3
Paper: fluorescent with a grammage from 85 to 115 g/m2
Block format: 121 x 63 mm
Stamp format: 39.5 x 51 mm
Colors: basic inks (CMYK) + metallic ink + UV ink + InkJet (personalization)
Circulation: 3,000 pcs.
Stamp face value: PLN 3.90
Crypto stamp price: PLN 61.50
CATEGORY 4
Paper: fluorescent with a grammage from 85 to 115 g/m2
Block format: 121 x 63 mm
Stamp format: 39.5 x 51 mm
Colors: basic inks (CMYK) + metallic ink + UV ink + microtext in visible ink + InkJet (personalization)
Circulation: 2,000 pcs.
Stamp face value: PLN 3.90
Crypto stamp price: PLN 123.00