2025 Luna Moth Stamps
By Scott Tiffney
On Aug.16 at the Great American Stamp Show in Schaumburg, Ill., the United States Postal Service will issue the nondenominated ($1.27) Luna Moth nonmachineable surcharge definitive stamp. Printed in panes of 20, the words “NON-MACHINEABLE SURCHARGE” appear at the bottom of the stamp indicating its usage. Like a nondenominated forever stamp, the Luna Moth issue will always be valid for the nonmachineable surcharge rate.
The $1.27 nonmachineable surcharge rate includes the standard 78¢ first-class mailpiece rate plus a 49¢ nonmachineable surcharge. A nonmachinable surcharge is applied to first-class mail that cannot be processed by postal machines due to their shape, size or other characteristics.
This surcharge is necessary because these items require special handling, such as manual sorting, which increases processing costs. The full description of nonmachineable first-class mail characteristics is found in the U.S. Postal Service’s Domestic Mail Manual in section 101.1.2.
The new Luna Moth nonmachineable surcharge stamp was designed by USPS art director Derry Noyes from a 2001 image of a pale green Luna moth (Actias luna) created by retired Alfred University (Alfred, N.Y.) professor of print media Joseph Sheer.
Sheer’s original artwork, “was created using a high-resolution scanner with extended focus, which was programmed in a variety of depths of field at exact points above the scanner glass. As many as 32 layers of the preserved Luna moth were scanned individually to ensure that all parts of the preserved moth would appear in sharp focus,” the Postal Service said. For the final image, Sheer then combined each of these layers, resulting in a highly detailed stamp image.
A first-day ceremony for the new Luna Moth stamp will take place Saturday, Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. Central Time in the Utopia C/D room on the second floor of the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, in Schaumburg, Ill. Linn’s Stamp News is working with USPS officials on the event and will produce a ceremony program. The ceremony is free and open to all show attendees.
Luna moths, also known as American moon moths, are identifiable by their striking lime-green color and the moon-like eyespots that appear on each of their four large wings. In fact, it is these moon-shaped eyespots that reminded scientists of Luna, the Roman goddess of the moon, which led to their distinctive name.
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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