Chinkiang Stamps
Chinkiang, now known as Zhenjiang, is a city located in the Jiangsu province of eastern China, situated on the southern bank of the Yangtze River. As a treaty port following the Opium Wars, its postal history is intertwined with the complex administrative periods of late Imperial China and the subsequent Republic of China era.
- Issued stamps
- 1894–1895
- Region
- Asia, East Asia
- Currency
- CNY
- Languages
- Chinese, English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- China
About Chinkiang stamps
Stamps issued for Chinkiang often reflect the broader postal system of China, featuring Chinese characters and sometimes English inscriptions related to the foreign presence in the concession areas. The city's postal administration transitioned significantly through the establishment of the Imperial Post and later the Republic's postal service, reflecting major political shifts in the region.
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.
- CHINKIANG
How to identify Chinkiang stamps
- Look for 'CHINKIANG' or '鎮江' (Zhenjiang) inscriptions, often in conjunction with Chinese characters.
- Examine for overprints on Imperial Chinese stamps, which indicate local use.
- Pay attention to the design, which often features dragons, pagodas, or other traditional Chinese motifs for the underlying Imperial issues.
Popular series
-
Local Post Issues
1894-1895
Stamps issued by the local postal administration before the full integration into the Imperial Chinese Post.
-
Overprinted Imperial Issues
1895
Imperial Chinese stamps overprinted for local use in Chinkiang, often indicating a transitional period.
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
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $200–$2,000+
Values vary significantly based on condition, specific issue (e.g., local vs. overprint), and rarity of specific denominations or errors. Early local issues tend to be more valuable than later overprints.
Catalogs. Chinkiang 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 Chinkiang stamps
Chinkiang stamps refer to the local postal issues from the treaty port of Chinkiang (now Zhenjiang) in China, primarily issued between 1894 and 1895. These include stamps specifically printed for local use and Imperial Chinese stamps overprinted for Chinkiang.
Yes, some Chinkiang stamps can be quite valuable, especially the early local issues and rare varieties or errors. Common examples might fetch $5-$50, while rare stamps can command prices from $200 to over $2,000, depending on condition and specific issue.
To identify Chinkiang stamps, look for the city name 'CHINKIANG' or its Chinese characters '鎮江' on the stamp itself, or as an overprint on an Imperial Chinese stamp. Designs often reflect traditional Chinese themes. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Chinkiang stamps are listed in major international stamp catalogs such as Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons, typically found under China or Chinese Local Posts sections. These catalogs provide detailed listings, images, and current market values.
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