Chattanooga Provisional Stamps
Chattanooga is a city located in the southeastern United States, within the state of Tennessee, and is not a sovereign country with its own distinct postal administration. As part of the United States, its postal history is integrated into the U.
- Issued stamps
- 1861–1861
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- Confederate States of America
History and background
S. Postal Service, utilizing English inscriptions and denominations established by the federal government. Therefore, stamps issued for use in Chattanooga reflect the national postal history of the United States, including its adherence to international postal agreements through the USPS. There are no separate national stamp issues specific to the city of Chattanooga.
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.
- CHATTANOOGA
- TENN.
How to identify them
- Look for a 5-cent denomination, typically printed in black on yellowish paper.
- The design features the word 'CHATTANOOGA' at the top, 'TENN.' at the bottom, and '5 CENTS' in the center.
- These are handstamped provisionals, so variations in impression and paper are common.
- Authenticity is paramount; expertization is required due to rarity and potential for forgeries.
Popular series
-
Chattanooga Provisional
1861
A single provisional stamp issued by the postmaster of Chattanooga during the early days of the American Civil War, before Confederate general issues became widely 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
- N/A (only one type, rare)
- Scarce stamps
- $5,000–$20,000+
The Chattanooga provisional is extremely rare, with only a handful of examples known. Its value is highly dependent on condition, cancellations, and provenance. It is considered a significant rarity in Confederate philately.
Catalogs. Chattanooga Provisional 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 Chattanooga Provisional stamps
Chattanooga stamps refer to a single provisional stamp issued by the postmaster of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1861, during the American Civil War. These were local issues created to meet postal needs before official Confederate States of America stamps became available.
Yes, Chattanooga provisional stamps are extremely valuable. They are among the rarest and most sought-after Confederate postmaster provisionals, with known examples fetching prices ranging from $5,000 to over $20,000, depending on condition and authenticity.
Chattanooga provisional stamps are typically 5-cent denominations, printed in black on yellowish paper, featuring 'CHATTANOOGA' at the top, 'TENN.' at the bottom, and '5 CENTS' in the center. Due to their rarity and value, expert authentication is crucial. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Chattanooga provisional stamps are primarily listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, specifically within the Confederate States of America section under 'Postmaster Provisionals'. They are not typically found in European catalogs like Michel or Stanley Gibbons as they are highly specialized U.S. Civil War issues.
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