Imperial Japanese Stamp Appraisal

Used 5 Sen Japanese Dragon Stamp (1872 or later)

This item is a Japanese postage stamp, likely from the Dragon series, specifically a 5 Sen denomination. The primary color of the stamp appears to be a muted blue or teal, with a lighter border around the central design. The stamp exhibits a perforated edge, typical of postage stamps, suggesting it was separated from a larger sheet. The central design features a stylized dragon motif, which is characteristic of early Japanese stamps. Surrounding the dragon are what appear to be Japanese characters, with "日本大" (Dai Nihon) visible at the top, signifying "Great Japan". The denomination "5" is clearly visible in the lower-left corner, and an "SN" mark is discernible in the lower-right, likely indicating the printer or specific series. This stamp is clearly used, as evidenced by a prominent black postmark spanning diagonally across the face of the stamp. The postmark obscures some of the central design and the left margin. The condition appears to be fair to good for a used stamp of its potential age, with no immediately obvious tears or significant creases beyond the postmark. The color seems consistent, with no severe fading apparent. The craftsmanship is indicative of early philatelic printing, with fine line work visible in the dragon and surrounding patterns. This particular series of stamps, known as the Dragon stamps, was first issued in Japan starting in 1872. The presence of the postmark confirms its use in circulation.