Timbrul

Timbrul is the Romanian term for stamp, referring to adhesive labels issued by authorities to indicate payment of a fee or prepayment of postage. In everyday use, timbrul poștal denotes postage stamps affixed to mail to cover postage costs, while timbru fiscal (revenue stamp) refers to stamps used to certify that taxes or fees have been paid on documents, licenses, or transactions.

Postage stamps, or timbre poștal, are issued by national postal administrations and come in a range of denominations and designs. They may be gummed or self-adhesive and typically fall into daily-use definitive issues or commemorative issues that celebrate events, people, or cultural heritage. Revenue stamps, or timbre fiscale, were historically applied to legal documents and other instruments to prove tax payment; in many places they have been phased out or replaced by other systems, though some jurisdictions still use them for specific transactions.

The design and production of timbre reflect national iconography, landscapes, notable figures, and moments of cultural significance. Stamps serve dual roles as a practical means of payment for mail and as a medium for public storytelling and national representation. Their issuance is usually guided by long-term schedules and international postal agreements.

Timbrul also holds a prominent place in philately, the study and collection of stamps. Collectors seek stamps based on rarity, condition, and historical interest, with catalogs and auctions helping to document and value holdings. In modern practice, many countries maintain postal stamp programs alongside other revenue mechanisms, but adhesive stamps remain widely used for mail and official documentation.