Iranian Red Lion and Sun Society Revenue Stamp

This item is a rectangular adhesive revenue or charity stamp from Iran, featuring the traditional 'Lion and Sun' (Shir-o-Khorshid) emblem. The stamp is printed on white paper with a green sunburst or radiating line background and a central illustration of a red lion holding a sword, with a rising sun behind it. Below the main image is a horizontal banner containing Persian (Farsi) script, likely indicating its purpose for the benefit of the Red Lion and Sun Society (the Iranian equivalent of the Red Cross during the Pahlavi era). The denomination is partially visible on the right side. Physically, the stamp features standard perforations on all four sides. There is a prominent black curved cancellation mark across the top left and center, indicating it has been used. The condition shows minor toning and aging of the paper, with slight wear to the perforated edges, typical for early to mid-20th-century philatelic materials. The craftsmanship represents standard industrial lithographic or offset printing of the period, likely dating between the 1940s and 1970s prior to the Iranian Revolution. It serves as a historical artifact of Iranian administrative and humanitarian history.

I have conducted a visual examination of the Iranian Red Lion and Sun Society revenue stamp. This piece, dating from the mid-20th century, features the iconic Shir-o-Khorshid emblem. Based on the digital imaging provided, the stamp appears authentic, showing age-appropriate paper toning and typical lithographic printing characteristics consistent with Pahlavi-era administrative issues. The perforations show minor irregular wear, and the presence of a black circular cancellation confirms its postally or administratively used status. Historically, these 'charity' revenues were common, used on everything from legal documents to cinema tickets to fund the Iranian equivalent of the Red Cross. From a market perspective, philatelic interest in Iranian revenues is a niche but steady field. However, because this specific design was produced in significant quantities and the item at hand is used rather than 'Mint Never Hinged,' its rarity is low. Comparables for common cancelled Red Lion and Sun charity labels typically realize between $10 and $30 at auction depending on the specific denomination and paper type. The primary factor limiting the value is the heavy cancellation which, while proving use, obscures the central iconography. Note that this appraisal is based on image analysis alone. A definitive authentication would require a physical inspection to check for watermark presence, paper thickness, and the chemical composition of the red ink to rule out modern reprints. Furthermore, verification of the specific 'Sunburst' plate variety would necessitate high-magnification microscopy. I must state that without tactile handling to verify gum condition (if any) and perforation measurements via a physical gauge, this valuation remains a professional estimate based on visual characteristics.