the stamps were issued in 1855

There were no stamps in 1801. The first postage stamps were issued in Great Britain in 1840. It was several years after that that German issued postage stamps.

Greece has issued such stamps. There may be others.

Semi-postal stamps are stamps that are issued to pay postage, but cost more than the standard postage rate. The additional money is contributed to charity. Many countries have issued such stamps on a regular basis. The US has only issued a couple such stamps.