The last king of Iraq

Here is one of the three stamps from a series figuring King Faysal II, issued in 1953. It marked the coronation after 15 years of regency.


Son of King Ghazi, he was three years old when his father died in a car accident in 1939. Consequently, his uncle became regent until the majority of Faisal in 1953.

Three portraits of the young king were used on stamps : two definitives series in 1942 and 1949, and in medaillion on a commemorative for the 75 years of the Universal Postal Union.

After the coronation issue (3, 14 and 28 fils), the king was on every stamps : definitives of 1954 and 1958, commemoratives too.

Faisal II died the 14th of July 1958 during the general Qasim's coup d'État, first of a serie of coups and assassinations until Saddam Hussein took the presidency in 1979.