Turkey 1863 Tughra of Sultan Abdülaziz

Turkey · 1863 · 20 Para

This stamp features the tughra, the intricate calligraphic monogram of Sultan Abdülaziz, who reigned from 1861 to 1876. The tughra is framed by a crescent moon, a prominent symbol of the Ottoman Empire, with the denomination '20 Para' inscribed below in Ottoman Turkish script. The design is simple yet elegant, characteristic of the first postage stamps issued by the empire.

This is the first postage stamp issued by the Ottoman Empire, marking its entry into the global postal system. These imperforate stamps, known as the 'Tughra' issue, were printed locally in Constantinople and were a significant step in modernizing the empire's communications.