A curiosity...
Mar. 14th, 2017 10:54 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alexpgpIt seems counterintuitive, but U.S. postage stamps printed since, say, the 1940s will never gain value as a result of their age, regardless of what the "catalog value" of said stamp might be. In fact, I recall, back when we had the mailing business, being approached with an offer to sell us old stamps (which are still good for postage, by the way) at a discount off the face value.
Indeed, in recent months, I have been depleting my supply of stamps showing a specific monetary value (e.g., 37 cents) by using them on envelopes and then making up the difference from a rather large supply of "surplus" old stamps (e.g., stamps from the "Overrun Countries" issue, which were denominated at 5 cents).
However, a look at the USPS web site a few minutes ago confirmed my suspicion that "Forever" stamps (to be used theoretically forever to cover the first-ounce first-class rate) are the new norm, and so eventually, once I run out of stamps of specific value, this little tactic of mine won't be of much use.
Ah, well, I do have quite a stock of unused Christmas stamps that I've accumulated over the years. I suppose I could start using those between holiday seasons. :)
Cheers...
Indeed, in recent months, I have been depleting my supply of stamps showing a specific monetary value (e.g., 37 cents) by using them on envelopes and then making up the difference from a rather large supply of "surplus" old stamps (e.g., stamps from the "Overrun Countries" issue, which were denominated at 5 cents).
However, a look at the USPS web site a few minutes ago confirmed my suspicion that "Forever" stamps (to be used theoretically forever to cover the first-ounce first-class rate) are the new norm, and so eventually, once I run out of stamps of specific value, this little tactic of mine won't be of much use.
Ah, well, I do have quite a stock of unused Christmas stamps that I've accumulated over the years. I suppose I could start using those between holiday seasons. :)
Cheers...
