Lexington, Missouri Postmaster's Provisional Stamps
Lexington, Missouri, is a city located in the central United States, not a sovereign stamp-issuing entity. As such, its postal history falls entirely under the jurisdiction of the United States Postal Service.
- Issued stamps
- 1861–1861
- 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 Lexington would feature English text and denominations in US currency, reflecting the broader administrative and political history of the American republic. There are no distinct postal administrations or unique historical transitions specific to Lexington that would result in separate, nationally recognized stamp issues.
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- PAID
How to identify them
- Look for a handstamped 'PAID' and '5' (for 5 cents) on a piece of paper, often with the manuscript 'Lexington Mo.' or 'Lexington' and a date.
- The stamp is not a printed adhesive but a handstamped marking, typically in black ink, on a piece of paper that was then affixed to a letter.
Popular series
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Lexington, Missouri Postmaster's Provisional
1861
A single provisional stamp issued by the local postmaster during the early days of the American Civil War, before regular Confederate postal services were established in the area.
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+
The Lexington, Missouri Postmaster's Provisional is extremely rare, with only a handful of known examples. Its value is highly dependent on condition, provenance, and whether it is on or off cover. It is considered a major rarity in U.S. philately.
Catalogs. Lexington, Missouri Postmaster's 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 Lexington, Missouri Postmaster's Provisional stamps
The 'Lexington, Missouri' stamp refers to a rare Postmaster's Provisional issued in 1861 during the American Civil War. It was a temporary postal marking created by the local postmaster to frank mail when regular U.S. postal services ceased and before Confederate services were fully established. It is not a conventional adhesive stamp but a handstamped marking.
Yes, the Lexington, Missouri Postmaster's Provisional is exceptionally valuable. It is one of the rarest and most sought-after items in U.S. philately, with known examples fetching tens of thousands of dollars at auction due to its historical significance and extreme scarcity.
Identification requires expert knowledge due to its rarity and the nature of it being a handstamped provisional. Key features include a handstamped 'PAID' and '5' (for 5 cents) on a piece of paper, often with a manuscript 'Lexington Mo.' or 'Lexington' and a date. Authentication by a recognized philatelic expert 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.
The Lexington, Missouri Postmaster's Provisional is listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue under the United States section, typically within the Confederate States Postmasters' Provisionals or similar specialized sections. It is not generally found in international catalogs like Michel or Stanley Gibbons as it is a highly specialized U.S. item.
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