The mystery of the disappearing cent amount on stamps

I'm with you Jo Ann. I've been going through the same issue.
God forbid we ask for clarity.
Oh wait...did I offend someone for saying "God"???
Pffffffft. Who cares. Just tell me what the stamp is worth.
Or maybe, it's a forever stamp and it really doesn't matter.
What if...work with me a second...what if the stamps don't have an amount on them because the USPS doesn't really care. It's the money they get from you buying them. That's where the funds come from. The stamp is just a front. Hmmmm...next thing ya know, soilent green is people.
KIDDING!!! Or am I?

i know what you mean...all the stamp i brought usually says first class, but somehow i get my mail back saying insufficient postage.

Hey guys, saw your posts and thought I'd give you an answer: if your stamps say "Forever" on them then it doesn't matter how much they are worth - they will always work.

For example, if you paid 41 cents for a "Forever" stamp it will work in 1 month or 10 years when the price of stamps is raised. Here is an article on it:

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/d...

Best,

mark

Here's another, more detailed article on the "Forever" stamp:

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/t...

THe forever stamp means just that...FOREVER. No matter what the price increase is. That's probably why you husband purchased them. It;s been on the news and in the newspapers about this stamp.

That means the stamp is good forever, thus, First Class Forever. They'll keep accepting them despite the rate increase.

On May 12, 2008, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service™ re–issued the non–denominated First–Class Mail definitive Forever Stamp™(Liberty Bell). The stamp was designed by Carl T. Herrman of Carlsbad, California. The stamp was first issued in 2007.

The Forever stamp will always be valid as First–Class postage on standard envelopes weighing one ounce or less, regardless of any subsequent increases in the First–Class rate. The stamp art depicts the Liberty Bell, which is perhaps the most prominent and recognizable symbol associated with American independence. Over the years, the historic significance of the bell’s message has transcended our national borders, and today the Liberty Bell is an international icon of freedom. Replicas of the Liberty Bell exist in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.

The stamp art features a computer–generated image of the Liberty Bell by nationally acclaimed artist Tom Engeman of Brunswick, Maryland. His previous projects for the Postal Service include stamped cards for Carlsbad Caverns National Park (2002), Ohio University (2003), and Columbia University (2003), as well as the 2003 American Eagle definitive stamp, and the National World War II Memorial stamp issued in 2004.

This is the FOREVER stamp! Its worth WHATEVER the stamp rate is no matter how many times is goes up!!! If you bought them at the previous rate then you get your moneys worth after the rate goes up because the new forever stamp will be at the new stamp rate.

Jo,

Forever stamps are valid for putting on 1-ounce envelopes regardless of post office's rate increases in the future.

Now, there are other stamps that do not have any denominations like the earlier non-denominated stamps like the A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H stamps and the non-denominated first class issues for the 37, 39, and 41 cents. And, add to these are the non-denominated make-up rate stamps ranging from 1c to 4c values along with the non-denominated Christmas stamps.

What I found helpful is to visit websites that cater to collectors. These websites will usually provide information about the face values for these non-denominated stamps. You can also go to a public library that carries stamp catalog's like the Scott Catalogue for the United States. Such a catalog lists all stamps issued along with their face values.

Hey Jo Ann,

It says "First Class Postage" on those stamps. They are first class forever, even if the price changes.

The "Forever Stamp" is good for....forever. There is no need to have a domination since it is good for forever. You will never need to add any additional postage to a "forever" stamp.

There are stamps that are NOT the forever stamps that do not have a denomination on them. For example, I have some USA First Class stamps with a flag on them that don't say how much they are worth.
Unfortunately, these are still only worth what you paid for them, but if you don't remember when you bought them, you might have trouble figuring out what that is. I would visit a stamp collector's web site to make sure.

Note to DUH wrote:

There are stamps that are NOT the forever stamps that do not have a denomination on them. For example, I have some USA First Class stamps with a flag on them that don't say how much they are worth.
Unfortunately, these are still only worth what you paid for them, but if you don't remember when you bought them, you might have trouble figuring out what that is. I would visit a stamp collector's web site to make sure.

Forget the stamp collectors web site... go to the POST OFFICE and ask them what their numberless stamp is worth. It's their stamp, so their employees should know its value. Who knows, maybe they'll get enough complaints from the rank and file to ensure they mark the value on the face of future stamps.