uncommonpre-1900

Italian Offices in the Levant, Surcharge on 'Estero'

Name: Italian Offices in the Levant, Surcharge on 'Estero'
Brand: Italian Offices in the Levant

Italian Offices in the Levant · 1874 · 20 para on 5c

This stamp is an Italian 5 centesimi 'Estero' (Foreign) issue overprinted with a new denomination of 20 para for use in the Italian post offices in the Ottoman Empire (the Levant). The overprint was necessary to align the postage with the local currency, the Turkish piastre, which was divided into 40 para. The base stamp features a numeral '5' in an ornate circular frame.

Issued in 1874, this was the first stamp for the Italian post offices in the Levant, marking Italy's expansion of postal services abroad to support its commercial interests in the declining Ottoman Empire.

Printing Method

Typography

Themes

surcharge overprint postage

Catalog Numbers

sg1

scott1

michel1

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Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$150

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$120

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$90

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$50

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$20

Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.