Fiscal Document Appraisal

Austrian 2 Groschen Eagle Stamp

This item is an antique Austrian postal stamp with a denomination of 2 Groschen. The stamp features a central design of a double-headed eagle, a traditional symbol of the Austrian Empire, facing left and right. The eagle is depicted with wings spread, holding what appears to be a hammer and a sickle, often associated with the First Austrian Republic's emblem, signifying strength and labor. Above the eagle, the word "ÖSTERREICH" (Austria) is prominently displayed in a sans-serif typeface. The denomination "2 GROSCHEN" is located below the eagle, with the numeral '2' repeated in the top right corner. The stamp's primary color scheme is an earthy brown or sepia tone printed on off-white or cream-colored paper. The edges of the stamp are somewhat unevenly cut, indicating it is a part of a larger document or was perhaps a fiscal stamp rather than a perforated postage stamp. The most notable feature is a black, circular postmark partially obscuring the left side of the eagle design. The postmark reveals faded numbers, possibly '812', and a date or location, but it's largely illegible. There are also faint handwritten notations in black ink below the stamp, which could be an address or other administrative marks onto a postcard or document. The overall condition shows signs of age, including slight discoloration of the paper and wear consistent with an item used in postal circulation or as a fiscal document. The presence of the postmark and handwriting suggests it was used, adding to its historical context, though it might detract from pristine philatelic value without proper identification of the postmark details. The craftsmanship appears to be typical of early 20th-century philatelic or fiscal printing, with fine line work in the eagle's depiction.