Iuka Confederate Provisional Stamps
Iuka is a historical region located in the southeastern United States, primarily within the state of Mississippi. Its postal history is integrated with that of the United States Postal Service, reflecting American administrative and political development across the 19th and 20th centuries.
- 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
Stamps issued for use in this area bear English inscriptions typical of the US postal system, and its postal administration transitioned through various stages of the US federal system rather than operating as an independent entity. The region's postal narrative is therefore intrinsically linked to the broader history of US postal standardization and expansion.
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.
- IUKA MISS
How to identify them
- Look for a handstamped '5' (for 5 cents) in black ink on buff-colored paper, often with a circular town cancellation 'IUKA MISS' and date.
- These are provisional issues, meaning they were created locally due to a shortage of official Confederate stamps at the outbreak of the Civil War. Authenticity is paramount.
Popular series
-
Iuka Provisional
1861
The sole known issue from Iuka, Mississippi, a 5-cent black on buff paper, handstamped by the local postmaster during the early days of the American Civil War.
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 (no common stamps)
- Scarce stamps
- $10,000–$50,000+
Iuka provisionals are exceedingly rare and highly sought after by Confederate philatelists. Their value is dependent on condition, provenance, and specific varieties (e.g., cancellation). Only a handful of examples are known to exist.
Catalogs. Iuka Confederate 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 Iuka Confederate Provisional stamps
Iuka stamps refer to a very rare Confederate Postmaster Provisional stamp issued in Iuka, Mississippi, in 1861. These were locally produced stamps used by the postmaster due to the unavailability of official Confederate postage during the early stages of the American Civil War.
Yes, Iuka stamps are extremely valuable. They are among the rarest and most desirable Confederate Postmaster Provisionals, with only a few examples known to exist. Their value can range from tens of thousands of dollars, depending on their condition and specific characteristics.
Iuka stamps are typically identified by a handstamped '5' (for 5 cents) in black ink on buff paper, often accompanied by a circular 'IUKA MISS' town cancellation and date. Due to their rarity and high value, expert authentication is essential. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Iuka stamps are primarily listed in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers, under the Confederate States Postmaster Provisionals section. They are generally not found in international catalogs like Michel or Stanley Gibbons, as they are a highly specialized U.S. philatelic item.
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