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In Greece, adhesive bands on the package were used for tax purposes, they were cancelled with a stamp. There were also packs that had a stamp instead of the band.

This is an example which is supposed to be from between 1923 and 1935. A part in the middle is missing. The cancellation is in black.

This is an example from before 1973, when the royal coat-of-arms shown on the stamp was abolished (together with the kingdom). The text is 'Greek playing-card monopoly' (in Greek). The cancellation is in red.

This is a similar band. It is from after 1975, when the coat-of-arms shown on the stamp was introduced. A part on the left side is missing. The cancellation is in blue.

This is another example from between 1975 and 1980. It has the same design as the two before. I have learnt that the colour of the bands has to do with their quality ('Klasis') and related to that the tax value: brown bands were used for Klasis E and E', green bands for Klasis A and B. It is yet unknown whether there were cards of Klasis C or D - let me know if you have such a pack.

Playing-card taxes were abandoned in Greece in 1980.

In 1913, Greece was granted a part of Macedonia, and it was called 'New Territories' until 1935. A special stamp for playing-cards was used there.

The text is 'Hellas' and 'New Territories', both in Greek letters. (scanned by Pascal Pette)