New Issue: Prehistoric Animals (Romania)

This is a set of four stamps from Romania issued on 27th August 2026. They show prehistoric animals - although, if I'm being picky, I'd say that they show fossils of prehistoric animals and a modern illustration of what these beasts may have looked like. The four animals are: Deinotherium proavum (a proboscidean, a bit like an elephant), Ursus spelaeus (a cave bear), Megaloceros giganteus (a giant deer, often known as Irish Elk) and Macrospondylus bollensis (which looks a bit like a crocodile).

Only one of these, Ursus spelaeus, lived in the area that we now call Romania. However,. all of these specific fossils can be found at the Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History in Bucharest.

Design Quality: The fossils are interesting but would probably be better with more detail, and perhaps even as a photograph. They are more like silhouettes of fossils and I don't think they work well. The modern paintings are unbelievably awful. They’re way too goofy-looking for official national stamps—the bear looks confused, Deinotherium proavum looks melted and the deer’s antlers are just ridiculous. Macrospondylus bollensis looks like a plastic bath toy. The whole thing has a cheap, amateur look that’s honestly embarrassing for official national stamps.

These were amazing prehistoric animals, and they deserve much better artwork than this rushed-looking mess. Is this the worst stamp design I've ever seen? Probably. I can't say anything good about them at all. 0/10 Theme / Subject Choice: There is no strong connection to Romania apart from the fact that these fossils are at the country's national history museum. Is that a reasonable excuse to create yet another set of stamps about prehistoric animals (previous issues on the same theme appeared in 2016 and 2005; there were also two in the 1990s)? Maybe, but it's not a strong one. However, if you're going to choose this as a theme it is so important to make sure the design is a good one and the artwork is of a high standard. 3/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance: There is some relevance as these fossils are in the Grigore Antipa Museum and at least one of these animals lived in what is now called Romania. But it just feels like an excuse for another set of stamps about prehistoric animals, which I imagine sell quite well to collectors. 2/10

Innovation and Creativity: Sometimes nothing is a very sensible thing to say, and I honestly can't think of anything positive to say here. 0/10

Collectability: I think Romanian Post thought that another issue focused on prehistoric animals would be popular. I imagine they will be disappointed. There are people who love stamps about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures and I am one of them, so I can say that while we like new stamps on our favourite subject we also like good designs. Do these stand out from other stamps on the same theme? Yes, but not in a good way. That doesn't help their collectability. 1/10

Personal appeal: I like stamps of prehistoric animals, but I like stamps that are... well, not like these. 0/10 Overall Score: 6/60 Overall I feel the artwork is lazy and that these wonderful animals deserved to be depicted better. So much better. Am I being too harsh? I try to be fair but on this occasion I feel that the design and artwork are just embarrassing.