You may be wondering what forever stamps are and how it came to be. A Forever stamp is a stamp that pays the current postal rate to mail a letter regardless of when it was purchased and when it will be used.  As Postage rates rise, stamp prices will also rise. This stamp was a proposal submitted by the U.S Postal Service in May 2006 stating that forever stamps would be sold based in first class postage stamp rate at the time they are purchased. Currently the cost of first class stamp is 0.41 cents. Its primary purpose is to soften the blow of transition on new stamp prices whenever price change occurs.

The stamp art on the first forever stamp features the computer-generated image of the Liberty Bell which is known to be the most recognizable symbol associated with the American Independence;  done by the nationally acclaimed artist Tom Engeman of Brunswick, Maryland.

A Forever stamp is valid as a domestic first class postage stamp on standard envelopes weighing one ounce or less, regardless of future postage price adjustments. In view of the fact that the international postage rates are always higher than the comparable domestic rates, additional postage would have to be affixed on International Mail.

We can say that the Forever stamps’ greatest advantage to the consumers is convenience.  Once these first class stamps are purchased, it never expires nor declines in value; as the postal rates change having to purchase one, two or three cent stamps to add up to the old postage will be unnecessary; thus the consumers will be saved from the annoyance of having to wait on long lines to purchase the said two cent stamps.  Consumers can now stock up on these first class stamps at the current rate and use them until supply lasts.  As for the Postal Service, they seem to have come up with a winning strategy; its advantage to them would be obtaining cash in the present for stamps that won’t be used until the need for them arises. Another advantage is that the Postal Service will not need employees to sell outdated one or two cent stamps and to handle consumers scurrying to buy new higher-rate stamps.

Some might think of these first class stamps as an investment; it should not be treated as such.  Hoarding these stamps isn’t a bad thing however, stockpiling Forever Stamps does not multiply nor increase your money.  In reality, investing on these stamps will not guarantee you a market value.  When the next postal rate increase is on its way, only then can you consider it to be the best time to purchase hundreds or thousands of Forever stamps; simply for the reason that you won’t make money on them until the next prevailing rate.  The latest increase on the cost of first class stamp is scheduled to happen on May 12, 2008.

You can find Forever Stamps though Post Offices, Automated Postage Centers, Contract Postal Units, consignment locations, The Postal Store®, convenience and grocery stores, and according to the Post Office on Automated Teller Machines too, which will offer Forever Stamps in sheets.  It will be available at more than 18,500 ATMs at banks such as Wells Fargo, Commerce Bank, Keybank, Wachovia and LaSalle Bank to name a few.