Serbia postage stamps year 2012 100 years of the Kumanovo Battle MNH
?? 2012 Serbia — 100 Years of the Battle of Kumanovo
? Issue Date:
- The stamps were issued on 24 October 2012, in connection with the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Kumanovo (23–24 October 1912), a decisive engagement in the First Balkan War during which the Serbian Army defeated Ottoman forces.
? Stamp Details:
Serbia released two commemorative stamps for this anniversary:
| Serbia Catalog / Michel No. | Denomination (RSD) | Design / Theme |
|---|---|---|
| SER‑336 / Mi 478 | 22 RSD | Portraits of senior Serbian commanders and Serbian troops during the Battle of Kumanovo, symbolic of Serbian military leadership and valor in 1912. |
| SER‑337 / Mi 479 | 50 RSD | Artwork inspired by “Osveta Kosova” (a painting by Paja Jovanović) and other thematic imagery related to the battle and its significance. |
? Background & Significance:
- The Battle of Kumanovo was fought on 23–24 October 1912 between the Serbian and Ottoman armies and marked a major Serbian victory early in the First Balkan War. The success at Kumanovo enabled Serbian forces to advance into key territories and helped reshape the regional balance of power.
- For the centennial in 2012, Pošta Srbije issued these stamps as a special commemorative (extraordinary) issue, reflecting military and historical remembrance, with involvement from institutions like the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and military museums.
? Design Notes:
Both stamps were printed in multi‑colour offset with a print run of about 25,000 sets, and released along with a First Day Cover and special philatelic cancel.
The 22 RSD stamp typically features military figures — such as Serbian commanders including Radomir Putnik, Stepa Stepanović, Živojin Mišić, and regent Aleksandar Karađorđević — with imagery of advancing troops.
The 50 RSD stamp incorporates classic Serbian art motifs, including elements based on Paja Jovanović’s Osveta Kosova, tying artistic representation to historical commemoration.
