Republic Of China Postage Stamp Featuring Sun Yat Sen 2 Fen Appraisal

Republic of China Postage Stamp featuring Sun Yat-sen (2 Fen)

This item is a vintage postage stamp from the Republic of China, featuring a portrait of Sun Yat-sen, a key figure in the establishment of the Republic of China. The stamp is predominantly green in color with black or very dark green ink used for the portrait and some textual elements. It exhibits a rectangular shape with decorative border elements, including what appear to be columns on either side of the central oval portrait. Above the portrait, a sun-like emblem with rays is visible, typical of the Kuomintang symbol used by the Republic of China. The denomination '2' is clearly visible in the bottom left and right corners, and the character '分' (fen) is prominently displayed in the top left, indicating the currency unit. Another character, '貳' (er, meaning two in formal Chinese), is in the top right corner. Below the portrait, Chinese characters '中華民國郵政' (Zhonghua Minguo Youzheng), meaning 'Republic of China Post', are legible, though somewhat obscured by the stamp's condition. The stamp shows signs of significant wear and age, including discoloration, possible creasing, and what appears to be a cancellation mark or heavy postmark over the portrait area, dark 'dots' that obscure details of Sun Yat-sen's face. The edges appear somewhat tattered or imperfectly perforated, and the overall image quality from the provided photo suggests a circulated item, possibly demonstrating a soft, fibrous paper texture. The style and iconography place its age within the period of the Republic of China, likely from the early to mid-20th century, specifically the Sun Yat-sen issue series which began in the 1930s. The printing quality, despite the wear, indicates standard philatelic production for its era, though the heavy cancellation impacts the clarity of the central image.