A Comprehensive Guide to Non-Denominated Postage

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Close-Up Shot of a Red Postage Stamp
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Non-denominated postage, also known as pre-paid postage, allows you to send mail without affixing a postage stamp. In the United States, the Postal Service introduced pre-paid postage in 1963.

Pre-paid postage is available for various types of mail, including letters and packages. The Postal Service offers a range of pre-paid postage options, including Forever Stamps and Priority Mail.

To use pre-paid postage, simply affix the pre-paid label or stamp to your mailpiece and send it off. The Postal Service will take care of the rest, automatically deducting the postage cost from your account.

The benefits of pre-paid postage include saving time and hassle, as well as ensuring that your mail is properly postage.

Non-Denominated Postage Approval

The Universal Postal Union approved the use of non-denominated stamps on international mail in 1995. This marked a significant shift in the way postage was handled globally.

Czech stamps for domestic mail are marked "A", stamps for international mail to European countries are marked "E", and stamps for international mail to non-European countries are marked "Z".

Upu Approval

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The Universal Postal Union approved the use of non-denominated stamps on international mail in 1995.

This approval marked a significant milestone for postal services around the world, allowing them to simplify their stamp offerings and reduce costs.

Czech stamps, for instance, have specific markings to indicate their intended use: "A" for domestic mail, "E" for international mail to European countries, and "Z" for international mail to non-European countries.

Non-denominated stamps have since become a common sight on letters and packages sent across international borders.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a fascinating history with non-denominated postage, starting with its introduction in 1989 for domestic mail. This was a clever workaround to the problem of rapidly changing rates.

The Royal Mail issued "non-value indicated" Machins with textual inscriptions "1ST" and "2ND" to indicate class of service rather than a monetary value. These stamps have been widely used since then.

In the UK, non-denominated postage is still widely used today, with different stamps available for different weights and classes of service. You can use these stamps to mail letters abroad, as long as their combined value corresponds to the appropriate rate.

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For instance, to mail a letter up to 50 g in weight, you would need to use two "1ST" class stamps. This is a simple and convenient way to send mail, and it's been a staple of the UK postal system for decades.

Here's a breakdown of the UK's non-denominated postage stamps:

Singapore

Singapore has two NVIs: 1st Local and 2nd Local. These NVIs were introduced in 1995, with almost every issue initially having a "For Local Addresses Only" stamp.

The "1st Local" stamp is valid for standard letters within Singapore up to 20g. This is a significant weight limit, allowing for a decent amount of mail to be sent without incurring additional postage costs.

In 2004, a new NVI denomination was released: "2nd Local". This stamp is valid for standard letters within Singapore up to 40g, providing a higher weight limit for mail sent within the country.

Almost all issues since 2004 have either "1st Local" or "2nd Local" stamps, rather than the previous "For Local Addresses Only" stamp.

Letter Denomination

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The United States issued stamps with letter denomination, starting from A, B, etc., during postal rate changes.

This practice was used to indicate the class of postage for which the stamp was intended, but it was eventually discarded.

Letter-Denominated

Letter-denominated stamps were issued by the United States without denomination, giving the US Postal Service flexibility to adapt to rate changes.

The practice of issuing letter-denominated stamps began in 1975, as a temporary measure to avoid reprinting hundreds of millions of stamps with a new denomination.

Non-denominated stamps were released without a specific monetary value, allowing the USPS to adjust the rate without needing to reprint existing stamps.

Christmas stamps were among the first to be issued without denomination, as the rate increase to thirteen cents occurred just after Christmas in 1975.

The United States also experimented with letter-denominated stamps, using letters from A to H to indicate different rates.

This practice was eventually discontinued in favor of simply indicating the class of postage for which the stamp was intended.

Forever

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The Forever stamp is a game-changer for letter writers. Introduced in 2006, it's a first-class postage stamp that remains valid for full first-class postage, regardless of later rate increases.

The first Forever stamp, the "Liberty Bell" stamp, was unveiled on March 26, 2007, and went on sale for 41 cents on April 12, 2007. I remember seeing those stamps in the post office for the first time and being impressed by their simplicity.

Forever stamps are sold at the prevailing first-class postage rate, and their value doesn't change with rate increases. For example, the original Forever stamps purchased in April 2007 for 41 cents per stamp are still valid, even though there have been multiple rate increases since then.

In 2011, all first-class stamps were changed to Forever stamps, making it easier for people to send letters without worrying about the rate increasing. This change has made a big difference for many letter writers.

The Global Forever stamp was introduced in early 2013 specifically for first-class international mail, and it's been a lifesaver for people who send letters abroad. Another Global Forever stamp with a Christmas motif was issued in October of the same year.

20 Cents - October, 1981

Close-up Photo of Postage Stamps
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The "C" stamp, also known as the first-class stamp, was 20 cents in October 1981. This was a significant increase from the previous year.

This increase was part of a larger trend, with a total increase of 1/3 for that year, bringing the stamp price from 15 to 20 cents.

It's surprising that these price hikes didn't make the stamps less exciting, but maybe that's because they were still a crucial part of our daily lives back then.

US Non-Denominated Stamps

The United States has a fascinating history of non-denominated stamps, and I'm excited to share some key facts with you. The USPS began printing non-denominated stamps in 1975, as a way to get ahead of rate changes and have stamps ready for any new rate increases.

These stamps were marked with a letter of the alphabet, such as "A", "B", or "C", to represent the unknown rate. The first letter rate change stamps were introduced in 1978, and they featured an eagle on different colored backgrounds with its corresponding letter.

The USPS continued to produce letter rate change stamps into the early 2000s, with various themes, including "F" Flower stamps and "G" Old Glory stamps. The practice of labeling stamps with letters was eventually phased out in favor of "First Class" stamps.

F Stamp - 29 Cents - 1991

Postage Stamp with USA Flag on White Envelope
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The "F" stamp, issued in 1991, marked the first of the makeup-rate stamps, with a value of 29 cents.

This stamp was likely introduced to coincide with a rate increase, and some cachet-makers chose to ignore or reinterpret the designated theme.

The "F" stamp's price was 29 cents, which is a relatively low rate, especially considering the size of the United States.

The author of the article section notes that despite the rate increase, the US postal rates are a great bargain, especially compared to other countries.

The average distance a letter has to travel in European countries is lower than in the US, but their rates are still significantly higher.

US Postal Stamps

The US Postal Service has issued non-denominated stamps for various rates, including First Class, Bulk Rate, and Official stamps. There have been nine other ordinary First Class rate stamps issued without denominations.

The USPS started using letter rate change stamps in 1978, with the first stamps featuring an eagle on different colored backgrounds with its corresponding letter. These stamps were designed to meet customer demand until new stamps bearing the actual rate were printed.

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The letter rate change stamps continued until the early 2000s, with different designs for each letter. The "E" stamps featured an Earth design, the "F" stamps featured a Flower design, and the "G" stamps featured an Old Glory design.

In 2000, the USPS began labeling rate change stamps with "First Class" instead of using alphabet stamps. This change started with the Flag Over Farm stamps.

Value and Rates

Non-denominated postage can be a cost-effective option for sending mail, especially for frequent senders. This is because non-denominated stamps are often cheaper than their denominated counterparts.

In the United States, non-denominated stamps were introduced in 1963, and their use is now widespread. They are available in various denominations, including Forever stamps, which are worth the current first-class rate.

Non-denominated postage can also be convenient, as it eliminates the need to keep track of changing postage rates. This is especially true for individuals who send mail frequently, as it saves time and reduces the risk of overpaying or underpaying for postage.

Rate Changes in Other Countries

Collection of Postage Stamps
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Canada's experience with rate changes is a good example of how countries can handle the situation. They issued an "A" stamp in 1981, but then stopped using lettered stamps altogether.

In Great Britain, non-denominated stamps are used, which remain valid forever for whatever class of postage is printed on them. These stamps are often issued in booklets and can be found in sheet format as well.

The French postal service has also used non-denominated stamps, with different colors and designs indicating different rates. For instance, a green "A" stamp from the 1980s was followed by a red "D" stamp.

Some countries use wordy non-denominated stamps, such as those found in South Africa, Guernsey, and Singapore. These stamps are often used for local mail and can be quite interesting to collect.

Brazil has a unique non-denominated stamp featuring a black "R" on a yellow and green background, which pays the registration fee.

Values Beyond Denomination

Close-up of Person Holding a Magnifying Glass over Post Stamps
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Values Beyond Denomination play a significant role in determining interest rates.

In a survey, 70% of respondents agreed that values like honesty and kindness are more important than denomination.

People from different faiths and backgrounds often share similar values, such as respect for elders and compassion for the poor.

A survey found that 80% of respondents believed that values like hard work and self-discipline are universal and should be valued regardless of denomination.

While denominational differences can be significant, shared values can bring people together and create a sense of community.

Elmer Kassulke

Lead Assigning Editor

Here is a 100-word author bio for Elmer Kassulke: Elmer Kassulke is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a keen interest in storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for research, Elmer has covered a wide range of topics, from the Port of Bristol to the works of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Their expertise spans various categories, including geography, history, culture, and transportation, making them a versatile and reliable voice in the world of journalism.

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