San Marino Philately Appraisal

San Marino 1963 Birds Series 25 Lire Martin Pescatore Postage Stamp

This is a single postage stamp from the 1963 'Birds' definitive series issued by the Repubblica di San Marino. Specifically, this is the 25 Lire denomination featuring a 'Martin Pescatore' (Kingfisher). The stamp is printed via photogravure, exhibiting vibrant, polychromatic saturation with a primary palette of cyan, burnt orange, and emerald green. The bird is depicted perched on a branch amidst reeds against a light blue aquatic background. The physical construction includes intact, standard gauge perforations on all four sides. At the bottom, text identifies the nation 'REPUBBLICA DI SAN MARINO' and the value 'LIRE 25'. Manufacturing credits 'IST. POL. STATO OFF. CARTE VALORE - ROMA' and the artist 'V. FRANZONI' are visible in the margins. The stamp appears to be in Mint Never Hinged (MNH) or Mint Lightly Hinged condition, as no postmark is visible and the paper remains crisp and white without foxing or edge toning. It is part of a 15-stamp set issued between 1963 and 1964, which is highly regarded by philatelists for its aesthetic detail and naturalistic illustration style.