2025 Spiral Galaxy Priority Mail Express Stamps
US 2025 Spiral Galaxy
- 2025 Priority Mail stamp
- Celebrates America’s deep space exploration
- Images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope
Stamp Category: Definitive
Value: $10.10, Priority Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: January 21, 2025
First Day City: Big Sky, Montana
Quantity Issued: 2,400,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Pane of 4
Why the stamp was issued: This stamp was issued in response to a rate increase for Priority Mail.
About the stamp design: The image for the stamp is spiral galaxy NGC 628, located in the constellation Pisces. The galaxy, which is 32 million light-years away from Earth, was recorded by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope using a Near-Infrared Camera and Mid-Infrared Instrument. The image was provided by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), ESA (European Space Agency), CSA (Canadian Space Agency), STScI (Space Telescope Science Institute), Janice Lee (STScI), Thomas Williams (Oxford), and the PHANGS (Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS) Team.
First Day City: There was no First Day of Issue ceremony, but the First Day of Issue postmark was from Big Sky, Montana. As its name suggests, this area is known for its unobstructed view of the sky.
History the stamp represents: NGC 628, also known as Messier 74, is a spiral galaxy located approximately 32 million lightyears from Earth in the constellation Pisces. Its nearly perfect symmetry and distinct spiral arms make it a prime example of a “grand design spiral galaxy.” This term describes galaxies with clearly defined and well-structured arms. These arms are filled with young stars and regions of glowing gas where new stars are actively forming.
NGC 628 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780. It spans 95,000 light-years in size, making it slightly smaller than our Milky Way. It contains an estimated 100 billion stars, though they can be difficult to observe due to the galaxy’s relatively low surface brightness. Amateur astronomers with small telescopes may struggle to see it, but it is easier with larger, more powerful models.
Astronomers continue to study NGC 628 as it has given them valuable insight into the life cycles of galaxies. Their observations in different wavelengths of light have revealed star-forming activity, dust content, and information about the galaxy’s central core. NGC 628 was observed by the famous James Webb Space Telescope in July 2022. An image from this observation was used on the 2025 US Priority Mail stamp.
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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