Charleston (Local Post) Stamps
- Issued stamps
- 1861–1861
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- Confederate States of America
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- PAID
- PAID 5
How to identify them
- Look for the handstamped 'PAID' or 'PAID 5' on envelopes, often in red or blue ink.
- These are not adhesive stamps but rather handstamped markings on covers (envelopes).
Popular series
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Charleston Postmaster Provisional
1861
Issued by the Charleston Postmaster during the early days of the American Civil War, before Confederate general issues were available.
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
- Not applicable; all known examples are rare.
- Scarce stamps
- $5,000–$50,000+
Charleston Postmaster Provisionals are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors of Confederate and U.S. philately. Values depend heavily on condition, cancellations, and specific varieties.
Catalogs. Charleston (Local Post) 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 Charleston (Local Post) stamps
Charleston (Local Post) refers to the 'Postmaster Provisional' handstamps used in Charleston, South Carolina, during 1861. These were temporary postal markings applied to mail by the local postmaster after South Carolina seceded from the Union and before the Confederate States of America issued its own stamps.
Yes, Charleston Postmaster Provisionals are among the most valuable and rare items in Confederate philately. Due to their limited usage and historical significance, surviving examples, especially on cover, command high prices, often ranging from $5,000 to well over $50,000.
Identifying Charleston Postmaster Provisionals requires careful examination. They are not adhesive stamps but handstamped markings, typically 'PAID' or 'PAID 5', applied directly to the envelope. Look for these markings on covers originating from Charleston, SC, dated 1861. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Charleston Postmaster Provisionals are primarily listed in specialized catalogs focusing on United States and Confederate States philately, most notably the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers. They are generally not found in general world catalogs like Michel or Stanley Gibbons.
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