Used Hungarian Stamp 25 Korona Denomination Appraisal

Used Hungarian Stamp, 25 Korona Denomination

This item is a used postage stamp from Hungary, bearing a denomination of 25 Korona. The stamp features a central design that appears to be the national coat of arms or a similar official emblem, though the details are somewhat obscured by the cancellation mark. The primary color of the stamp paper is an aged orange or light brown hue. The borders of the stamp are perforated, a standard feature for separation from a sheet. In the lower left and right corners, the numeral '25' is clearly visible, indicating its face value. Above this, the word "KORONA" (Crown) can be partially deciphered. The top of the stamp likely originally bore the text "MAGYAR KIR. POSTA" (Hungarian Royal Post), though this is significantly overlaid by the cancellation. The most prominent feature is the heavy, circular cancellation mark in black ink, which largely covers the central design and extends across the upper half of the stamp. Within this cancellation, specific characters and numbers can be seen, including 'M', 'S', '4', 'N', and 'ZCZ'. These marks suggest a postmark indicating the date and location of cancellation, likely 'M. KIR.' or similar, and a date that could be interpreted as '7.-N.4'. The stamp is mounted on what appears to be a page from a stamp album, indicated by the dotted lines around its perimeter and faint pencil markings (+5) beneath it, suggesting a collector's annotation. The overall condition shows significant wear consistent with a used stamp that has been handled and affixed, with the cancellation being particularly strong. The perforations appear intact, and there are no immediately obvious tears or major creases, apart from the general patina and slight discoloration expected from its age. This stamp is characteristic of early 20th-century European philately, specifically from the period when Hungary used the Korona currency, placing its estimated age in the 1900s to 1920s.