1891 Austrian Post 2 para on 20 kreuzer stamp used in the Turkish Empire
From 1867 to 1914, the Austro-Hungarian Empire operated post offices in various cities within the Ottoman Turkish Empire. These offices issued their own postage stamps denominated in the Turkish currency, para and piasters, but with a design similar to Austrian stamps used domestically.
In 1891, a set of surcharge stamps was issued for use at the Austrian post offices in the Turkish empire. These took existing stamps denominated in kreuzer and overprinted them with new values in para and piasters. The 2 para on 20 kreuzer stamp you mentioned would have been created by overprinting the 20kr Austrian stamp with “2 PARA”.
The original 20kr stamp likely featured a portrait of Austrian Emperor Franz Josef and was printed in a color such as grey or blue. The overprint text was probably applied in black or red ink. The overprinted stamps were used for mail handled by the Austrian offices and could pay postage on mail traveling within the Turkish empire or to international destinations via the Austrian postal system.
These Austrian post offices in the Ottoman empire and the stamps they issued are an interesting part of postal history. The overprinted stamps are collectible today, with value depending on factors like print quality and rarity.
