A Moment in Persian History

Issued in October 1909, following Persia's Constitutional Revolution and the deposition of Mohammad Ali Shah, these stamps reflect a defining moment in the country's history. Instead of the portrait of a monarch, they display the Lion and Sun, the historic emblem of Persia, framed by elaborate ornament and inscribed Postes Persanes — Persian Post.

The five designs selected for this collection bear denominations of 1 and 3 chahi and 4, 5 and 30 krans, reflecting the currency of the Qajar period. Twenty chahi made one kran, while ten krans equalled one toman.

Their values ranged from the smallest everyday sums to considerably larger amounts. At the exchange rates prevailing around 1909, a 30-kran stamp represented approximately eleven to twelve British shillings — a substantial sum at the time.

Today, these beautiful stamps survive as miniature works of art, celebrating Persia's remarkable decorative traditions. The original stamps used for these designs are in the Bennett-Farahbod Collection of Persian Art.