Confederate States Stamps
The Confederate States of America, existing briefly in the southeastern region of North America during the American Civil War, established its own postal system separate from the United States. This entity operated from 1861 to 1865, issuing stamps that primarily featured English text and denominations in US currency equivalents before the adoption of the Confederate cent.
- Issued stamps
- 1861–1865
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
About Confederate States stamps
The postal service was crucial for internal communication but was severely hampered by the Union blockade and the eventual collapse of the Confederacy, leading to the resumption of US postal authority over the territory.
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.
- C.S.A.
How to identify Confederate States stamps
- Look for 'Confederate States of America' or 'C.S.A.' in the inscription, though some early issues may not have this explicit text.
- Denominations are typically in cents (e.g., '5 Cents', '10 Cents').
- The designs often feature portraits of Confederate leaders or historical American figures.
- Many early issues were imperforate, requiring cutting from sheets.
Popular series
-
General Issues
1861-1863
The initial series of stamps issued by the Confederate Post Office Department, featuring portraits of prominent figures like Jefferson Davis and Andrew Jackson, and a representation of George Washington.
-
Local Postmaster Provisionals
1861
Stamps issued by individual postmasters in various Confederate towns and cities due to the initial lack of official Confederate stamps. These are highly sought after by collectors.
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
- $10–$100
- Scarce stamps
- $500–$50,000+
The value of Confederate States stamps varies greatly depending on condition, rarity of the specific issue, and whether they are general issues or local provisionals. Local provisionals, especially those with unique cancellations or in exceptional condition, can command very high prices. General issues in fine condition are also desirable.
Catalogs. Confederate States 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 Confederate States stamps
Confederate States stamps are postage stamps issued by the Confederate States of America between 1861 and 1865, during the American Civil War. They were used for postal communication within the Confederacy, separate from the United States postal system.
Yes, many Confederate States stamps are valuable, particularly rare issues, local postmaster provisionals, and stamps in excellent condition or on cover. Values can range from tens of dollars for common issues to tens of thousands for rare varieties and covers.
Confederate States stamps can be identified by their inscriptions (often 'Confederate States of America' or 'C.S.A.'), their designs featuring historical figures, and their period of issue. Many early issues were imperforate. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Confederate States stamps are extensively cataloged in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (Volume 1), Michel (North America), and Stanley Gibbons (Part 1: United States). These catalogs provide detailed listings, values, and varieties.
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