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Iran Philatelic Study Circle (IPSC)
Is It Genuine?
Distinguishing Genuine Iranian Philatelic Material

Part 1: 1868 to 1879
Lion Stamps

For explanations and definitions, see introduction

More images and more detailed descriptions will follow in time.

IPSC 1C1
1868 Lions
No western numeral below belly of lion.
Forgeries and CTO
IPSC Section 1C 		IPSC 1C5
1875-78 Lions
Western numeral added below belly of lion
Forgeries, Reprints, and CTO
IPSC Section 1C 		IPSC 1C15
1878-79 Lions
Re-engraved; thicker circles
Forgeries, Reprints, and CTO
IPSC Section 1C

1868
Baqari issue (set of 4).
IPSC 1C1 1 sh IPSC 1C2 2 sh IPSC 1C3 4 sh IPSC 1C4 8 sh
IPSC Catalogue Section 1C is available to members. 		!! Certification strongly recommended
Genuine: Check that the stamp is of the proper general color for the value, the expression of the lion is right (see enlargement), the paper is white, and that a western numeral (of the later altered types) under the lion's belly has not been painted out. Most genuine copies have very close margins or are cut into. The printing is usually poor to awful and with the details not too clear. Many different papers are known but all should be fairly white. Many shades exist but generally fall into the following groups.

1 shahi: Dull violet (purple to greenish gray)
2 shahi: Green (yellow green to olive gray)
4 shahi: Blue (greenish blue to ultrmarine to deep gray blue)
8 shahi: Carmine (vermilion to brown red)

Essays of each value are known clearly printed in all four colors and found perf and part-perf.

All examples with handstamp cancels are cto. A very few number with pen cancels are known. Most stamps were not canceled in any way upon use.

Forgeries: Forgeries of the 2 shahi green and the 4 shahi deep blue are known on smooth yellowish paper and with the lion clearly printed. Sometimes found with cancels. Other forgeries are known but are too common.
1875-1878
Kardi issue (set of 4).
IPSC 1C5
IPSC Catalogue Section 1C is available to members. 		!! Certification strongly recommended
Genuine: [Description will be added.]
Forgeries: [Description will be added.]
1878-1879
Kardi issue (set of 4).
IPSC 1C5
IPSC Catalogue Section 1C is available to members. 		!! Certification strongly recommended
Genuine: [Description will be added.]
Forgeries: [Description will be added.]

For stamps issued 1876-1900, see Is It Genuine? Part 2
Revised 18 Sep 1999