International Year of Crystallography: Liechtenstein

UNESCO names each and every year  based on specific theme and year 2014's 

theme is Crystallography. To commemorate Crystallography year Liechtenstein Post issued two stamps on 1st September 2014 based on metamorphosis of crystals. 

Crystals are nothing but minerals and plays important role in various field of science.  Minerals takes thousands of years to grow as crystals.  Metamorphosis is a complete change of form, structure, appearance, character etc in a person, animal or a thing. CHF 1.00 shows metamorphosis I and CHF 2.00 shows metamorphosis II.  With the aid of a free app (SEPAC Stamps) the postage stamps can be scanned and the metamorphosis of the crystal can then be observed by means of a video animation by the artist Bianca Violet. The stamps are issued by the means of a multi-stage stamping process and it is coated with UV gloss.

Crystallography : Swiss stamp

UNESCO has declared this year as a "International Year of Crystallography". UNESCO names every year according to certain theme. So focus will be on that particular theme for that year.  Usually scientific and environment related themes are selected. Crystallography plays key role in medicine, atomic structure etc.

To commemorate 2014, Swiss Post had issued two stamps on Crystallography on 6th March, 2014. To make it more special, these stamps are printed in Hot foil printing process. In Hot foil printing heat is used to transfer metallic foil to a solid surface.  Here silver foil is used to make the crystal design and the names of the crystals.

The 85 centime stamp has the picture of Epidote, a green colored mineral which is abundant in Switzerland and the 1 franc stamp has the picture of Amethyst, a quartz variety found almost everywhere.