New Issue: 50 Years Of The Larvotto (Monaco)

Monaco has create a new stamp to celebrate 50 years of the Larvotto Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 1976. Larvotto was the first MPA in the world located in an urban environment. The WOPA website tells us that "it shelters a rich and diverse biodiversity and serves as a veritable natural laboratory" and is a base for important "scientific monitoring programs". We see from the stamp how close the MPA is to the city of Monte Carlo. The protected sea area is basically right next to all the urban stuff.

The stamps shows bright blue water, fish swimming over rocks, coral, a starfish and the city in the background. Monaco isn’t a big country at all — it’s tiny and very crowded with tall buildings and busy streets, especially near Monte Carlo. On the stamp, you can see the underwater life in the front and the city skyline right behind it.

This is important because it shows that nature isn't far away from cities, even if it isn't always visible. The fish and coral are living right beside one of the most built-up, fancy places in the world. That means pollution, boats, construction and tourism could easily damage the sea life if it wasn’t protected. So having a marine protected area there is like saying “nature matters and it's important to protect it”. It also kind of sends a strong message that you don’t have to choose between a modern city and protecting the environment.

Monaco is showing that in a small, urban country you can make space for wildlife. I think that’s pretty inspiring because if they can protect the ocean right next to skyscrapers and yachts, then other places can too.

Design Quality - I think the design of this stamp is really beautiful. The colours are bright and clear, especially the blue water. It almost makes you feel like you’re underwater looking at the fish. I like how the sea life is in the front and the city is in the background, because it gives the stamp depth, like a real scene instead of just a flat picture. It also places the wildlife in a very specific location. The fish, coral and starfish are detailed but not too crowded, so it doesn’t look busy. It's small work of art that shows a lot. One small problem though - the Monaco flag on that tall building is gigantic! 8/10

Theme and Subject Choice - The theme is the Marine Protected Area of Larvotto, but perhaps it is more about protecting sea life. Monaco is obviously proud that the protected area is now 50 years old and s far has been a success. It's a scientific achievement but probably also a national one. It's not just pretty, it has a message about taking pride in caring for the environment. 9/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - This stamp celebrates 50 years of the MPA, which is an important milestone. Monaco is famous for being rich and fancy, with casinos and yachts, but this stamp shows another side: that it also cares about nature ad the ocean. 9/10

Innovation and Creativity - I think it’s creative how the stamp shows both the underwater world and the city skyline in one picture. It’s like two worlds meeting - nature and urban life. That’s not something you see on every stamp. It tells a whole story in a tiny space and reminds you that even busy, modern places are connected to nature. 9/10

Collectability - I think thematic collectors interested in nature or marine wildlife will like this. Monaco stamps are already popular with collectors because the country is small, doesn’t print huge amounts, issues sets of just one or two reasonably priced stamps and makes sure that most have a cultural connection to Monaco. (That's why I like them, anyway.) 8/10

Personal Appeal - It is a very attractive stamps. The fish look calm and free, and the water looks so clear. It makes me want to go snorkeling! But what I like most is that it has a positive message about protecting nature, especially in a place that’s so built up. It's a celebration of a small country making a huge difference, and that makes me very hopeful. 10/10  

Overall score - 53/60