Ukrainian Trident Overprint on Austrian Stamp

Ukraine · 1919 · 10 Heller

This stamp is a provisional issue from the West Ukrainian People's Republic. It features a black trident, the coat of arms of Ukraine, overprinted on a 10 Heller definitive stamp of Austria which depicts the Austrian Imperial Crown. The overprint signifies the change in postal authority from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the newly formed Ukrainian state.

Issued in 1919 during the tumultuous period following World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, these overprints were a practical way for the nascent West Ukrainian People's Republic to establish its own postal service using existing stamp stocks.