Index · Edition · un-crypto-series-i-2020
UN Crypto Stamp Series I – UN Headquarters & 17 SDGs
First United Nations crypto stamp
November 2020 issue with 17 SDG variants, developed by UN Office of Information and Communications Technology
The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued its first crypto stamp series on 24 November 2020, featuring the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each SDG appears as its own variation, totaling 51 variations (3 locations × 17 SDGs). The three parallel issuing locations — New York (USD 7.75), Geneva (CHF 8.00), and Vienna (EUR 7.00) — each had a mintage of 30,000, totaling 90,000 stamps. Designer Sergio Baradat (UNPA), printed by Royal Joh Enschedé. The NFTs run on Ethereum mainnet with a smart contract developed by UN OICT. Activation uses a scratch-off code on the mini-sheet, entered at crypto.unstamps.org.
History
The UN Postal Administration issued Series I on 24 November 2020 as its first crypto stamp edition. The release followed Austria's 2019 pioneer and Croatia's vehicle series from September 2020.
Technical Specifications
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | 24 November 2020 |
| Theme | 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) |
| Variations | 51 (3 locations × 17 SDGs) |
| Mintage per location | 30,000 |
| Total mintage | 90,000 |
| Stamp format | 25 × 35 mm |
| Sheet format | Mini-sheet (1 stamp) |
| Hexachrome + foil | |
| Printer | Royal Joh Enschedé (Netherlands) |
| Designer | Sergio Baradat (UNPA) |
| Tech partner | UN Office of Information and Communications Technology |
| Blockchain | Ethereum mainnet |
| Activation | Scratch-off code |
Distribution
| Location | Face value | Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| New York | USD 7.75 | 30,000 |
| Geneva | CHF 8.00 | 30,000 |
| Vienna | EUR 7.00 | 30,000 |
Three parallel mini-sheets with identical design (UN headquarters buildings in background, SDG variation in foreground), each carrying a sealed scratch-off area.
Variant Distribution
The edition features 17 Sustainable Development Goals as variations:
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships for the Goals
Each SDG uses its designated icon and color scheme. The combination of 3 issuing locations and 17 SDGs produces 51 unique variations.
For context: Austria's Crypto Stamp 1.0 had 5 color variations, Croatia's vehicle series had 4 variations, while this UN edition contains 51 variations.
Technical Implementation
The UN Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) developed the smart contract on Ethereum mainnet. The system uses ERC-721 standard tokens activated through scratch-off codes on the platform crypto.unstamps.org.
Activation process:
- Purchase mini-sheet (at UN offices or unstamps.org)
- Scratch off the sealed area
- Note the revealed alphanumeric code
- Connect wallet (MetaMask) to crypto.unstamps.org
- Enter code to receive NFT
First Day Cover
The First Day Cover features a dove carrying a laurel branch — the UN peace symbol. Cancellation date: 24 November 2020.
Context
The edition implements the UN's Strategy on New Technologies (December 2018), which identified blockchain as a key technology. This represents the UN's first public blockchain application, integrating the SDGs into a collectible format.
Significance
The edition marks several firsts:
- First crypto stamp from an international organization
- First UN blockchain application
- First multi-location crypto stamp architecture (New York/Geneva/Vienna)
- Highest variation count (51) among early crypto stamp editions
- First systematic use of SDGs as variation theme
- Early implementation of scratch-off activation method
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 by the UN General Assembly as a global plan to end poverty, protect the planet and promote prosperity by 2030. The goals encompass: ending poverty, eliminating hunger, promoting health, ensuring quality education, gender equality, clean water, affordable energy, decent work, innovation and infrastructure, reducing inequalities, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, climate action, ocean protection, land ecosystems, peace and justice, and global partnerships. Each SDG has its own icon and color scheme — the UN Crypto Stamps use these as variation themes. 51 variations = 3 locations (NY/Geneva/Vienna) × 17 SDGs.
How does the scratch-off activation work?
Buyer receives mini-sheet with stamp and sealed scratch-off area. Using a coin, the layer is scratched off (like lottery tickets), revealing a secret code. This alphanumeric code is entered on crypto.unstamps.org after connecting an Ethereum wallet like MetaMask. The smart contract validates the code and transfers the NFT to the user wallet. Optionally, the NFT can be traded on OpenSea. Important: Activation is final. Damaged scratch-off areas cannot be returned. Codes cannot be reused — whoever shares the code loses the NFT.