Core Identification
Description
São Tomé and Príncipe / 1993 / Lystrosaurus 500d
Historical and Iconographic Overview
The 1993 "Prehistoric Animals" series from São Tomé and Príncipe features the Lystrosaurus, a genus of herbivorous dicynodont therapsid that lived during the Late Permian and Early Triassic periods. The issuer, the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, frequently utilizes topical subjects like paleontology to engage the global philatelic market.
The Lystrosaurus is one of the most significant figures in evolutionary history. Following the Permian-Triassic extinction event—the most severe in Earth's history—Lystrosaurus became the most common terrestrial vertebrate on the planet, accounting for nearly 95% of all land vertebrates at one point. Its ability to survive such a cataclysm is often attributed to its burrowing lifestyle and efficient respiratory system.
The stamp's design depicts the creature in its natural habitat, emphasizing its barrel-chested body and its most distinctive feature: a pair of tusks protruding from a beak-like jaw. The inscription "Lystrosaurus" identifies the species, while the denomination "500d" (Dobra) reflects the local currency at the time of issue.
Technical Specifications
Date of Issue: 1993
Face Value: 500 Db (São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra)
Subject: Prehistoric Animals (Lystrosaurus)
Format: Single stamp from a larger set/miniature sheet
Printing: Offset lithography
