Chapel Hill Stamps
Chapel Hill is a municipality located in the state of North Carolina, within the Southeastern United States. As a constituent part of the United States, its postal history is entirely integrated into the United States Postal Service (USPS) system, meaning it does not issue its own independent national stamps.
- Issued stamps
- 1861–1861
- Region
- Americas, Southeastern United States
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- United States
About Chapel Hill stamps
Consequently, postal markings and stamps associated with Chapel Hill exclusively feature English text and denominations consistent with US currency. The administrative history of its postal service reflects the broader evolution of the American postal network since the nation's founding.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- PAID
How to identify Chapel Hill stamps
- Look for a handstamped 'PAID' marking, often in red or black ink, sometimes accompanied by '5' or '10' cents, applied to envelopes originating from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1861.
- Authenticity is paramount; these are frequently faked. Expertization by a recognized philatelic authority is essential for any purported Chapel Hill provisional.
Popular series
-
Chapel Hill Postmaster Provisional
1861
A rare provisional stamp issued by the Chapel Hill postmaster during the early days of the American Civil War, before Confederate stamps became widely available. These were handstamped on envelopes.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- N/A (no common stamps)
- Scarce stamps
- $10,000–$50,000+
The Chapel Hill provisional is exceedingly rare, with only a handful of examples known. Its value is highly dependent on condition, provenance, and whether it is on or off cover. It is considered a major rarity in US philately.
Catalogs. Chapel Hill stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Chapel Hill stamps
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is known in philately for a single, extremely rare 'Postmaster Provisional' stamp issued in 1861. This provisional was a temporary measure by the local postmaster to frank mail during the early stages of the American Civil War, before official Confederate stamps were distributed. It was not a national issue but a local solution.
Yes, the Chapel Hill Postmaster Provisional is one of the most valuable and rare items in US philately. Only a very small number of examples are known to exist, making them highly sought after by collectors. Values can range from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars, depending on condition and whether it's on cover.
Identifying a Chapel Hill provisional requires expert knowledge. It typically involves a handstamped 'PAID' marking, possibly with a denomination like '5' or '10' cents, applied to an envelope from Chapel Hill, NC, in 1861. Due to their extreme rarity and value, authentication by a reputable philatelic expert is absolutely essential. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
The Chapel Hill Postmaster Provisional is listed in specialized catalogs for United States stamps, most notably the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, typically within the Confederate States of America or US Locals sections. It is generally not found in international catalogs like Michel or Stanley Gibbons, as it is a highly specific US local issue.
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