2022 Imperforate Mariachi Forever Stamps
2022 Mariachi (Imperforate)
- Celebrates the rich tradition of mariachi music with five different stamp designs
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 60¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: July 15, 2022
First Day City: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Quantity Issued: 18,000,000 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps. The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor, block tag
Why the stamps were issued: To honor mariachi music, its cultural value to Mexico, and its rise in popularity in the United States.
About the stamp designs: The stamps picture five different mariachi musicians and their instruments. The geometric shapes in the background represent Mexican villages, the places where mariachi music first came to be. The artwork and designs were done by Rafael López.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque Showcase Competition Concert.
History the stamp represents: Mariachi music is an iconic piece of Mexican culture. In fact, in 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) classified it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2022, the United States Postal Service recognized mariachi music and its importance to Mexican Americans with five Forever stamps. The designs were created by stamp artist Rafael López who also produced the designs for the Latin Music Legends, Lets Dance: Merengue, and Mendez v. Westminster School District USPS stamps.
While mariachi music originated in the Mexican countryside, its popularity in the US began to grow in the late 1970s. This led to mariachi programs in schools and churches, plus concerts, festivals, and more.
In 1990, MARIACHI USA was established. It’s an annual mariachi festival held in Los Angeles. According to the event’s website, “MARIACHI USA will celebrate the rich tradition in which so many Mexicans and Mexican Americans take pride, and which has secured its place as one of the most beloved music genres in world music.” In 2022, event tickets completely sold out, which goes to show how passionate mariachi fans are about their music.
Frequently Asked Questions
How it works?
A Forever® stamp is for sending domestic mail weighing up to 1 oz via First-Class Mail®.
Purpose: Send letters and cards up to 1 oz (approximately 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope)
within the U.S., including U.S. territories and military bases overseas.
Value: Always valid for the First-Class Mail 1 oz rate, even if postage rates increase. Visit First-Class Mail and Postage to view
current rates.
Other Uses: Pair this stamp’s value with other postage to meet mailing costs when additional postage is required.
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail.
Why is "FOREVER" crossed out in the image?
So the lines in your picture:
- It does not mean that the stamp has expired;
- It does not mean that you cannot continue to use it;
- Nor a postmark;
- It's just an artificial anti-copying line added to the display image.
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
What are the common types of stamps, and how do they differ?
- Forever Stamp: Valid for standard domestic letters within the U.S. These stamps typically do not bear a fixed face value; they remain valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter at the current rate, even if postage prices increase in the future.
- Global Forever Stamp: Primarily used for standard international letters or postcards sent from the U.S. to other countries. The main difference between this and a standard Forever Stamp lies in its scope of use and postage value.
- Postcard Stamp: Designed specifically for domestic postcards that meet USPS size standards; the postage rate is typically lower than that for standard letters.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: Used to cover the cost of weight exceeding the first ounce; these are usually used in conjunction with a Forever Stamp or other stamps.
- Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce Stamps: Suitable for heavier letters, greeting cards, wedding invitations, or multi-page documents, eliminating the need to combine multiple stamps to cover the required postage.
- Fixed-Value Stamps: These stamps display a specific monetary value (e.g., 1¢, 5¢, or other amounts) and are primarily used to make up postage differences or in combination with other stamps.
- Commemorative and Thematic Stamps: Typically issued to mark historical events, cultural or artistic themes, holidays, notable figures, animals, or natural landscapes. While suitable for regular mail, these stamps are also popular among collectors due to their unique designs and limited release periods.
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
Why choose StampResale.com?
- At StampResale, you will find a diverse range of U.S. stamps—including classic Forever Stamps, holiday-themed issues, commemorative stamps, and specialty collections—catering to needs ranging from everyday mailing and gift-giving to serious collecting.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
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