10 Para Postage Stamp Currency

The Ottoman government's decision to overprint postage stamps and issue them as fractional currency in 1917 was a direct consequence of wartime metal shortages — copper and nickel had been redirected to the war effort, leaving no material for small-denomination coin production. These adhesive-stamp notes were not unique to the Ottomans; several belligerent powers adopted the same stopgap during the First World War.

Handling problems were persistent. Without adhesive backing removed, pieces stuck together in circulation; with it removed, the paper became fragile. Surviving examples in any condition above heavily worn are relatively uncommon for that reason.