By an Act of Congress passed in 1845, and continuing thru the life of the 1847 issue, 5c was the single letter rate for all distances not over three hundred miles.

Union authorities assumed that a large number of the 1856 1¢ issue remained unaccounted for in the hands of Confederate Postmasters. To prevent fraudulent use of these stamps, Congress authorized the design and production of the 1861 1¢ to replace the old stamp design as soon as possible.

The department scheduled distribution of the new stamps and envelopes for the 1st, August, but, from unavoidable delays, distribution did not take place until August 17th.

A notice went out to Postmasters declaring that they could exchange the old design for the new design, but they only had seven days to do so. After that point, all the old designs would be demonetized and therefore of no value. This notice was an abject failure, and the period of grace was twice extended, all the way up to November.

Some of the border states of the confederacy kept the stocks of the new design. Although invalid in the Southern States, they were happy to sell at 50¢ on the $ to postmasters in Union Kentucky.

The Postmaster General declared that no from the North would be delivered to the South by the US Postal Service. This was also a failure. It prompted two companies in Kentucky to start a roaring business delivering mail across the border. These companies then smuggled guns, slaves, and all sorts of contraband during the course of the civil war.

Union patriotic cover with #64. The cover ridicules the concept of the Confederacy repaying its bonds.

A contemporary forgery

The 3¢ stamp pre-paid the half-ounce first-class rate

Christopher Tobey has submitted this interesting example. The margin on the left, is in my opinion, too large to be a cut down stamp. Most likely a used proof, it is rare as such.

#65 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number and engravers imprint
11-14, 19-21, 23-24, 32-37, 42-49, 52

Splattered ink at the time of printing, primarily on Washington's nose and at the top o the frame.

Submitted by Randy Moore