Spain War Tax Stamp, King Alfonso XIII

Spain · 1898 · 5c

This stamp features a left-facing portrait of the young King Alfonso XIII. It was issued as a mandatory tax stamp to raise funds for the Spanish-American War. The design is simple, with the portrait framed by ornate scrollwork and the denomination at the bottom.

Issued during the Spanish-American War of 1898, these stamps were required on all mail to generate revenue for the war effort, a conflict which resulted in Spain losing its remaining major overseas colonies.