"Freedom" (face value: CHF 0.85), "Peace" (face value: CHF 1.00) and
"Democracy" (face value: CHF 1.50) are the three special stamps issued
by Philately Liechtenstein to mark the 100th anniversary of the
Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein. In high-quality
metallic printing and foil stamping, they have a modern and
forward-looking design, but also build a bridge to the past as they show
an excerpt from the original edition of the Constitution of 1921.
The
emergence of political parties in Liechtenstein after 1914 brought with
it the call for a reform of the monarchical state. Especially after the
collapse of the monarchy in Germany and Austria and what was known as
the Liechtenstein November coup d'état in 1918, the monarchical idea of
the state in the form of the constitution of 1862 was no longer viable.
During
negotiations in September 1920, the forces of reform agreed with
representatives of Prince Johann II on what were known as the Castle
Agreements that created a basis for a draft constitution. The new
constitution of 1921 finally defined the principality as a
constitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary
basis with the powers of the state resting with the Prince and the
people.