2026 Declaration of Independence Forever Stamps
2026 Declaration of Independence
- Part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration
- Pays tribute to the document that led to US’s independence
- Features 1776, the year the document was adopted
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 78¢, First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: July 4, 2026
First Day City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Quantity Issued: 15,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, Flexographic
Format: Pane of 20
Why the stamp was issued: This stamp was issued in honor of the 250th anniversary of the adopting of the Declaration of Independence.
About the stamp design: The stamp was designed and created by Juan Carlos Pagan. It features “1776” portrayed as quill pens, like those used to sign the Declaration of Independence.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue ceremony took place at the B Free Franklin Post Office in Philadelphia. It was part of the Celebration of Freedom festivities that took place on the 250th birthday of America.
Unusual fact about this stamp: Though July 4 is a national holiday, 60 post offices located in the original 13 colonies were open to sell the stamps and provided a special pictorial postmark.
History the stamp represents: The room smelled of horses from a nearby stable, and flies had plagued the Pennsylvania State House all summer. On August 2, 1776, the flies were at their worst. Most Americans believe the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th. It was not. Congress adopted the document that day, but the signing happened nearly a month later. Fifty-six men picked up a pen and committed treason.
They knew the cost before they signed. Several lost nearly everything — estates burned, fortunes destroyed, families scattered by British troops. Richard Stockton of New Jersey was captured, imprisoned, and forced to recant. He died a broken man before the war ended. When the Revolution was finally over, the new nation was too broke to compensate anyone. There was no restoration of what had been taken. Only the freedom they had fought for. It was costly, hard-won, and worth every bit of it.
This US Forever stamp honors that moment, not the celebration, but the courage that preceded it. Each numeral in 1776 is the shape of a quill, the instrument these men used to pledge their Lives, their Fortunes, and their sacred Honor to one another and an impossible dream. Not to a king or a government, but to each other. That is the America that was born — scrappy, defiant, and refusing to quit
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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