Lion and Sun, First Issue, 1 Toman

Iran · 1868 · 1 Toman

This stamp is part of the first official postage stamp series issued by Persia (modern-day Iran). The design features the classic Lion and Sun (Shir-o-Khorshid) motif, a prominent national emblem of Iran for centuries, enclosed within a simple circular frame. The denomination is indicated by the color, with this violet stamp representing the highest value of 1 Toman.

Issued under the Qajar dynasty during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah, these stamps marked Persia's entry into the modern postal system. The imperforate, hand-stamped nature of these early issues makes them highly sought after by classic philatelists.