Cincinnati Ohio Local Stamps
Cincinnati, Ohio, is a major city located in the Midwestern region of the United States, situated along the Ohio River. As part of the United States, its postal history is integrated with the federal postal system, which was established early in the nation's history and later joined the Universal Postal Union.
- Issued stamps
- 1854–1854
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- United States
History and background
Stamps issued for use in Cincinnati would feature English as the primary language and denominations in US currency, reflecting its status within the American republic. The city's postal administration evolved under the centralized structure of the U. S. Post Office Department, later the U. S. Postal Service.
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
- CINCINNATI
How to identify them
- Look for the inscription 'PAID' and '5 CENTS' within an oval design, often with 'CINCINNATI' at the top.
- These stamps are handstamped, not engraved, and typically found on cover. Forgeries are common, so expert authentication is crucial.
Popular series
-
Cincinnati Postmaster's Provisional
1854
A single provisional stamp issued by the Cincinnati postmaster for local use before the general issue of U.S. stamps became widely available or to address specific local postal needs.
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 (extremely rare)
- Scarce stamps
- $10,000–$50,000+
The Cincinnati Postmaster's Provisional is exceedingly rare, with only a handful of known examples. Its value is highly dependent on condition and provenance, making it a significant philatelic rarity.
Catalogs. Cincinnati Ohio Local 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 Cincinnati Ohio Local stamps
Cincinnati Ohio local stamps refer to a single provisional stamp issued by the postmaster of Cincinnati in 1854. This stamp was created to facilitate local mail delivery before or in conjunction with the official U.S. federal postal system, making it a significant piece of early American postal history.
Yes, Cincinnati Ohio local stamps are extremely valuable. The 1854 Postmaster's Provisional is one of the great rarities of U.S. philately, with very few known examples. Values can range from tens of thousands of dollars, depending on condition and whether it's on cover.
Authentic Cincinnati Ohio local stamps feature a distinctive handstamped design, typically with 'PAID' and '5 CENTS' within an oval, and 'CINCINNATI' at the top. Due to their rarity and value, expert authentication is essential. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
The Cincinnati Ohio Postmaster's Provisional is listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue under U.S. Postmasters' Provisionals. It is not typically found in European catalogs like Michel or Stanley Gibbons, as it is a specific U.S. local issue.
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