Tuscaloosa Stamps
Tuscaloosa is a city located in the southeastern United States, specifically within the state of Alabama. As part of the United States, its postal history falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Postal Service, reflecting national administrative structures rather than independent colonial or union memberships.
- Issued stamps
- 1861–1861
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- Confederate States of America
About Tuscaloosa stamps
Stamps issued for use in Tuscaloosa would feature English as the primary language and adhere to U. S. currency denominations. The city's postal administration has remained consistent under the framework of the U. S. federal system throughout its history.
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.
- TUSCALOOSA
- PAID
How to identify Tuscaloosa stamps
- Look for a 5-cent denomination, typically printed in black on a yellowish paper.
- The design is a simple, hand-stamped '5' within a circular or octagonal frame, often with 'TUSCALOOSA' or 'PAID' hand-stamped or written.
- Authenticity is paramount; expertization is required due to the rarity and high value, and the existence of forgeries.
Popular series
-
Tuscaloosa Provisional
1861
The single known provisional stamp issued by the Tuscaloosa postmaster during the early days of the American Civil War, before Confederate national stamps became widely available.
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
- Not applicable; only one known type, which is rare.
- Scarce stamps
- $10,000–$50,000+
Tuscaloosa provisionals are exceedingly rare, with only a few examples known to exist. Their value is highly dependent on condition, provenance, and specific variety (e.g., on or off cover). They are considered significant philatelic rarities of the Confederate States postal history.
Catalogs. Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa stamps
Tuscaloosa stamps refer to a rare provisional stamp issued by the postmaster of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 1861, during the American Civil War. These were local issues used for a brief period before official Confederate States of America stamps became available.
Yes, Tuscaloosa provisional stamps are extremely valuable. They are considered major rarities in Confederate philately, with prices ranging from tens of thousands of dollars for genuine examples, depending on condition and specific characteristics.
Identifying a Tuscaloosa provisional stamp requires careful examination. Look for a 5-cent denomination, often hand-stamped, on a yellowish paper. 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.
Tuscaloosa provisional stamps are primarily listed in specialized catalogs focusing on United States and Confederate States philately, most notably the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers.
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