Philately embraces technology. Poste Italiane presented the first traditional philatelic product with a ‘digital twin’, collectable via NFT (Non-Fungible Token) and blockchain. The novelty is contained in the ‘Posta Pioritaria Collezione Gialla’ (Priority Mail Yellow Collection) box set, dedicated to the evolution of Priority Mail from 1999 to 2008 and launched today at the 139th edition of Veronafil, one of the main events dedicated to the world of philately and collecting.
For collectors
By purchasing ‘Posta Pioritaria Collezione Gialla’, collectors will also receive, free of charge, the corresponding unique NFT, which will allow them to download the digital twin and, via a unique redemption code (Qr code), store it in a virtual binder secured by a blockchain account. The code can be used only once and the customer will be the sole owner of the digital asset which will be separate from the corresponding physical asset. The ‘Posta Pioritaria Collezione Gialla’ box set, the first philatelic product chosen to connect traditional collecting with the digital collecting of NFT technology, is a limited edition and consists of four philatelic folders, the stamps and a ‘card’ that holds the protected codes for acquiring the NFT Digital Twin.
New Frontier of Philately
NFTs are virtual certificates that provide a unique and secure representation of digital content based on blockchain smart contract technology, ensuring uniqueness, authenticity, and ownership, and are considered a legitimate form of digital property. An NFT is created on a blockchain, which utilises the characteristics of a computer network of nodes and allows for the management and updating of a register containing data and information in a unique and secure manner, in an open, shared, and distributed way. With this initiative, Poste Italiane addresses the demands of younger collectors by blending traditional philatelic products with digital tools, confirming the company’s historic vocation for innovation. The collection of 400 numbered items will be available at Post Offices, Poste Italiane Philately Spaces, and online at filatelia.poste.it. The NFT can be redeemed by 31 December 2025.
