Milledgeville Provisional Stamps
Milledgeville, a historical city located in the state of Georgia, United States, does not possess an independent postal history as it has never been a sovereign, stamp-issuing entity. As part of the United States, its postal administration falls under the United States Postal Service, reflecting American political and linguistic norms.
- 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 Milledgeville would therefore be federal issues of the USA, denominated in US currency and primarily featuring English text. Its significance in philately is tied to its role as a former state capital of Georgia prior to 1868.
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
How to identify them
- Look for the handstamped 'MILLEDGEVILLE, GA.' postmark and 'PAID' in red ink on a 5-cent green Jefferson Davis stamp (CSA #1).
- The provisional is an overprint/handstamp on a Confederate general issue stamp, not a standalone printed stamp.
- Authenticity is paramount due to rarity; expertization is highly recommended.
Popular series
-
Milledgeville Provisional
1861
The single provisional stamp issued by the Milledgeville postmaster during the early days of the American Civil War due to a shortage of federal stamps.
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 (only one issue, rare)
- Scarce stamps
- $1,000–$10,000+
The Milledgeville provisional stamp is exceedingly rare, with very few known examples. Its value is highly dependent on condition, cancellations, and provenance. It is considered a significant rarity in Confederate philately.
Catalogs. Milledgeville 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 Milledgeville Provisional stamps
Milledgeville stamps refer to a single provisional issue from 1861, created by the postmaster of Milledgeville, Georgia, during the American Civil War. Due to a shortage of official Confederate stamps, the postmaster handstamped existing 5-cent Confederate general issues with 'MILLEDGEVILLE, GA.' and 'PAID' to validate them for postage.
Yes, Milledgeville provisional stamps are extremely valuable. They are among the rarest and most sought-after Confederate provisional issues. Due to their scarcity (only a handful are known to exist), examples can fetch prices ranging from several thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on condition and authenticity.
Identifying a Milledgeville provisional stamp requires careful examination. Look for a 5-cent green Jefferson Davis stamp (Confederate States of America Scott #1) that has been handstamped in red ink with 'MILLEDGEVILLE, GA.' and 'PAID'. Given their rarity and value, expert authentication is crucial. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Milledgeville provisional stamps are primarily listed in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers, typically found within the Confederate States of America section under 'Postmasters' Provisionals' or 'Local Provisionals'. Due to their specialized nature, they may not be extensively covered in general world catalogs like Michel or Stanley Gibbons.
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