USPS Stamp Price History: Every Rate Change Since 2019
The Forever stamp costs $0.82 as of July 12, 2026
The First-Class letter rate has risen nine times since 2019, from $0.55 to $0.82. The most recent increase took effect July 12, 2026, raising the price from $0.78. The table below lists every change, which is useful if you are holding older stamps and wondering what they are worth now.
Forever stamp price history
| Effective date | First-Class letter rate | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| July 12, 2026 | $0.82 | +$0.04 |
| July 13, 2025 | $0.78 | +$0.05 |
| July 14, 2024 | $0.73 | +$0.05 |
| January 21, 2024 | $0.68 | +$0.02 |
| July 9, 2023 | $0.66 | +$0.03 |
| January 22, 2023 | $0.63 | +$0.03 |
| July 10, 2022 | $0.60 | +$0.02 |
| August 29, 2021 | $0.58 | +$0.03 |
| January 27, 2019 | $0.55 | +$0.05 |
Older stamps are still worth the current rate
This is the part people miss. A Forever stamp bought in 2019 for $0.55 mails a letter today, when that same letter needs $0.82 of postage. The stamp gained $0.27 in usable value simply by sitting in a drawer. Forever stamps track the current rate rather than the price printed or paid.
Why prices keep rising
USPS receives no tax funding for its operations and covers costs through postage revenue. Mail volume has fallen for two decades while the delivery network still reaches every address in the country, so per-piece prices climb to cover fixed costs. Recent increases have generally come twice a year, in January and July, though the January adjustment has not been automatic.
What this means if you have old stamps
Older unused stamps are not obsolete and are not worth less than they were. If they are non-denominated Forever stamps they cover today’s rate outright. If they carry a printed value such as $0.55, they are still valid, you just need to combine them to reach $0.82. Either way they hold real value, and we buy both kinds when you sell unused stamps. For current pricing see what a book of stamps costs.
Quick answers
When did stamps go up to 82 cents? July 12, 2026.
What was the previous rate? $0.78, effective July 13, 2025.
How often do stamp prices increase? Recently about twice a year, though not on a fixed schedule.
Are my old Forever stamps still good? Yes. They are valid indefinitely at the current rate.