Washington State Stamps
Identification, history, popular series & stamp values
About Washington (State) Stamps
Washington, a state located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, does not issue its own national postage stamps. As a constituent state of the USA, its postal history is entirely integrated with the United States Postal Service (USPS), reflecting American federal administration since its admission to the Union in 1889. Consequently, stamps issued for use within Washington feature English text and denominations denominated in US currency. The postal administration and philatelic record are thus inseparable from the broader history of the US postal system.
Issuer Overview
- Region:
- Americas
- Subregion:
- North America
- Issuing period:
- 1861 – 1861
- Languages:
- English
- Currency:
- USD
- Parent issuer:
- United States
Stamp Catalogs
Washington (State) stamps are listed in the following catalogs:
Popular Washington (State) Stamp Series
Provisional Stamps (Local Post) (1861)
While Washington State itself did not issue national postage, some local posts or express companies operated briefly before the full establishment of USPS services, sometimes issuing provisional stamps. These are exceedingly rare and often debated.
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issuer:washington-state.series.items.1.description
issuer:washington-state.series.items.2.name (issuer:washington-state.series.items.2.period)
issuer:washington-state.series.items.2.description
Washington (State) Stamp Value Overview
Value Notes: Official Washington State stamps do not exist. Any 'Washington' stamps would be either regular US issues used in the state, or extremely rare and often unauthenticated local provisional issues from the early territorial period. Value is highly dependent on provenance and expert authentication for these provisional items.
How to Identify Washington (State) Stamps
Key features to look for when identifying Washington (State) stamps:
- 1 Look for 'U.S. Postage' or 'United States' on stamps used in Washington, as these are federal issues.
- 2 Be highly skeptical of any stamp purporting to be an official 'Washington State' issue, as these are not recognized national stamps.
- 3 Local provisional stamps from the Washington Territory era (e.g., express company stamps) would typically lack 'U.S. Postage' and have unique designs, often crudely printed. Expert authentication is crucial for these.
Related Issuers & Topics
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are Washington State stamps?
Washington, as a U.S. state, does not issue its own national postage stamps. All stamps used within Washington are official United States postage stamps, issued by the United States Postal Service (USPS). There were, however, some extremely rare and unofficial local provisional stamps issued by private express companies or local postmasters in the Washington Territory prior to full federal postal integration, particularly around 1861.
Are Washington State stamps valuable?
Official 'Washington State' stamps do not exist. If you have a stamp used in Washington, it is a U.S. stamp, and its value depends on its rarity, condition, and age within the broader U.S. philatelic market. The very rare local provisional stamps from the territorial era can be extremely valuable, potentially ranging from $1,000 to over $10,000, but require expert authentication due to their unofficial nature and potential for forgery.
How can I identify Washington State stamps?
To identify stamps used in Washington, you should look for 'U.S. Postage' or 'United States' as the issuing entity. If you suspect you have a rare local provisional stamp from the Washington Territory, look for designs that do not resemble standard U.S. issues and may bear local names or express company markings. For definitive identification, especially for rare provisional issues, use a stamp identifier app or consult a philatelic expert. Our app can help you identify U.S. stamps and provide more information.
Which catalogs list Washington State stamps?
Standard U.S. postage stamps used in Washington are listed in all major catalogs, including Scott, Michel, and Stanley Gibbons, under 'United States'. The extremely rare and unofficial local provisional issues from the Washington Territory are sometimes listed in specialized U.S. local post catalogs or advanced editions of general catalogs, often with extensive notes on their rarity and authenticity.
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