The very first image of the black double-headed eagle in official stamps, as it relates to the modern state of Albania, can be attributed to the pre-independence period, starting with the Autonomous Administration of 1908–1910. The stamps of this era depict the image of the black double-headed eagle accompanied by the crescent half-moon with its star, which was the symbol of the Ottoman Empire, on the lower bottom is highlighted the word SHQIPËNIA (gheg: ALBANIA) and to the left side can be seen the word "paras" which is the Ottoman-Turkish translation for "money". In the years leading to the establishment of the new Albanian State, the image of the black double-headed eagle is seen in official government stamps which first entered circulation on May 5, 1913. All components of the stamps or seals were in black ink. The seal was circular in shape and featured the double-headed eagle inside a shield. Around the circle was written the name of the institution it represented. Such institutions were the Ministry of Post-Telegrafs and the State Police Office. A total of 2,232 documents were stamped.