Tughra of Sultan Abdülaziz

Turkey · 1863 · 20 Para

This stamp features the Tughra, an intricate calligraphic monogram, of Sultan Abdülaziz, who reigned from 1861 to 1876. The design is framed by a crescent moon, a prominent symbol of the Ottoman Empire, with the denomination inscribed below. This issue marked the first adhesive postage stamps for the Ottoman Empire, replacing earlier handstamps and pre-paid envelopes.

Issued in 1863, these stamps represent the Ottoman Empire's entry into the modern postal system established by the Universal Postal Union, facilitating standardized mail handling across its vast territories.