Tughra of Sultan Abdülaziz

Turkey · 1863 · 20 Paras

This stamp features the Tughra, an intricate calligraphic monogram serving as the seal or signature of the Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz. The design is framed by a crescent moon, a prominent symbol of the Ottoman Empire, with the denomination inscribed below. It is one of the first postage stamps issued by the Ottoman Empire.

Issued in 1863, this stamp marks the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's postal system, a key modernization effort during the Tanzimat reform period. These first issues, known as the Duloz issues, replaced earlier postal stationery and facilitated communication across the vast empire.