Reelection of President Kouatly - 50 piastre

This commemorative stamp was issued by the Syrian Republic in April 1948 (Jumada al-Akhirah 1367 AH) to celebrate the reelection of Syria’s first post-independence president, Shukri al-Quwatli. His reelection followed a highly debated constitutional amendment passed by parliament that permitted a president to serve consecutive terms. The lower text panel explicitly states the occasion in Arabic: "Commemoration of the reelection of President Shukri al-Quwatli" (ذكرى اعادة انتخاب الرئيس شكري القوتلي), flanked by the Gregorian and Hijri dates. This specific denomination carries a postal face value of 12.50 piastres, designated as "12P50" in Western numerals and "١٢.٥ ق" in Arabic script in the lower corners. The visual layout of the stamp highlights the institutions of the young republic through two key design elements. On the left is a detailed illustration of the Syrian Parliament building (House of Parliament) in Damascus, the very site where the landmark legislative votes and presidential swearing-in took place. Balanced on the right is a formal portrait of President al-Quwatli set within a classic oval frame. Printed in dark charcoal grey ink, this philatelic piece serves as a significant historical record of Syria's early post-Mandate political structures and executive leadership just prior to the turbulent series of military coups that began in 1949.