Spain 1909 King Alfonso XIII 'The Cadet' 20 Centimos Stamp (Purple Tint)

This is a used Spanish postage stamp featuring the portrait of King Alfonso XIII of Spain, commonly referred to by collectors as part of the 'Medallion' or 'Cadet' series issued in 1909. The stamp is printed in a light violet or purple monochromatic ink on cream-colored paper. The central vignette depicts the King in military attire facing forward. The ornamentation includes an ornate border with a crown at the top center, and the base of the stamp features the denomination '20 CS' (Centimos) and 'CORREOS ESPANA'. The physical condition of this specimen shows it has been postmarked with a black ink circular cancellation mark that obscures a portion of the portrait and the upper left corner. The perforations appear to be standard gauge but show slight unevenness and minor tone spots along the right edge. There is no visible sign of heavy creasing or thinning from this view, though some light foxing or age-related discoloration is present on the paper's margins. The engraving style represents the intricate craftsmanship typical of the Vaquer type stamps from the early 20th century. This specific stamp was a standard definitive issue during the Constitutional Monarchy of Spain before the advent of the Second Republic.

I have examined the digital representation of the 1909 Spain 20 Centimos 'Cadet' issue featuring King Alfonso XIII. The specimen is characterized by its violet ink on cream paper, utilizing the Enrique Vaquer engraving. My physical assessment of the provided image reveals a used copy with a standard circular date stamp cancellation. The centering is moderately balanced, though the perforations show slight irregularities and minor oxidation/toning on the right-hand margin, which is common for Iberian issues of this era. From a market perspective, this stamp was a high-volume definitive issue. While the 'Cadet' series is a staple for collectors of European monarchies, the 20c value in this common used condition lacks rarity. Comparable sales for single used specimens typically fall into the 'minimum value' category of philatelic catalogs. The presence of foxing and the heavy cancellation strike across the portrait further limit its appeal to high-grade specialized collectors. While the typography and engraving look consistent with authentic 1909 issues, a definitive authentication cannot be performed via image alone. A physical inspection is required to check for 'thins,' original gum status (if applicable), and to verify the paper's watermark and exact perforation gauge (12.5 x 12.5). Scientific testing for ink composition and long-wave UV light inspection would be necessary to rule out sophisticated reprints or chemically cleaned cancellations. Given the low market value, the cost of professional certification (such as COMEX) would likely exceed the value of the stamp itself.