Persia, Lion and Sun, First Issue

Iran · 1868 · 1 Shahi

This is the first postage stamp issued by Persia, now known as Iran. The design features the national emblem of the time, the Lion and Sun (Shir-o-Khorshid), a symbol with ancient roots in Persian culture. The imperforate stamp was crudely printed, reflecting the early stages of postal administration in the country.

Issued under the Qajar dynasty during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah, this stamp marks Persia's entry into the global postal system, a key step in modernizing the nation's infrastructure.