New Issue: Coffee Bean (Austria)

This new stamp from Austria not only looks like a coffee bean, it smells like one too! Post AG is very proud of this stamp and tells us that it is "once again setting new standards in the particularly innovative design of stamps". I agree it is a bit different but it reminds me a bit of these fruit-shaped stamps from Tonga and of course there have been scented stamps before. In the past year I have reviewed to stamps from France, one of which was scented and the other smelled like croissants.

AG Post also tells us about the uses of coffee including how it can make coffee leather from used coffee grounds - the stamp is actually made of this! "This vegan coffee leather is flexible and tear-resistant, and, what is more, not only does it have the slightly grainy texture of ground coffee, but it also naturally smells of coffee. After printing, an adhesive film was applied and the stamp cut out in the shape of a coffee bean. The narrow stripe down the centre represents the groove that is typical for a coffee bean, while also reminding us of the delicious aroma of a bowl of hot coffee. Upcycling thus turned coffee grounds that had been collected from offices and hospitals into a new philatelic product that will add a hint of that delicious coffee smell to every item of post and delight everyone, not just coffee drinkers."

Design Quality: I think this is a good design. It clearly looks like a coffee bean and the white stripe makes it very clear. Simple designs are often very effective. It has the minimum amount of text - the country name, the year and the price. 7/10 Theme and Subject Choice: There's nothing wrong with making stamps about everyday things like coffee, but it also doesn't stand out as an obvious theme for an Austrian stamp. It is an unusual choice, and maybe we could do with some unusual choices rather than more of the same kind of themes? 7/10 Historical and Cultural Relevance: People in Austria obviously drink coffee and there are a lot of coffee houses in Vienna! But I feel that this stamp has been created just to be "innovative" instead of celebrating any culture of coffee drinking. 3/10

Innovation and Creativity: Scented stamps are not new. Neither are stamps shaped like fruit and nuts. So it's different but perhaps not THAT different. However, I have never heard of a stamp made out of recycled coffee grounds and for that reason I am going to give it full marks! 10/10 Collectability: People who like stamps that are quirky or different will probably like this stamp. The price is €6.70, so it's not likely to be used on many items of mail and is probably designed mainly for collectors. 7/10 Personal Appeal: I like the simplicity of the design and the idea of using recycled coffee grounds to create a stamp. How many other stamps are made out of material that is connected to the theme? Not many! 8/10 Overall Score: 42/60