2023 U.S. Flag Forever Stamps
With the 2023 U.S. Flag stamp, the U.S. Postal Service honors an important symbol of our nation.
The stamp is being issued in booklets of 20, panes of 20, and coils of 100 and 3,000, bears a straightforward graphic design of the red,white, and blue. Providing a solid foundation for the flag are the word FREEDOM in a gray slab sans serif font and, below it, FOREVER /USA in a smaller sans serif font. The manner in which the text is positioned suggests the endurance of freedom as a core value.
The flag serves as a visual reminder of the array of freedoms that Americans enjoy. Its design dates to 1777 when the Continental Congress specified 13 horizontal stripes and 13 stars to honor the 13 original colonies. Various versions of the early flag continued to be used until, in 1818, the U.S. Congress standardized the design, mandating 13 stripes forever but a star for every state. Another act of Congress, in 1947, set the date for each new star's official addition to the flag as the July 4 following the state's admission to the Union. The last time the flag changed was July 4, 1960, after Hawaii achieved statehood the previous August. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with existing art by Hong Li.
The 2023 U.S. Flag stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current FirstClass Mail® one-ounce rate.
Made in the USA.
- Continues the long tradition of picturing the American flag on stamps
- Sometimes called the “Flag and Freedom” stamp
- One of six 2023 US Flag stamps with the same design – printed by different companies with small details to identify each individual stamp
Stamp Category: Definitive
Value: First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: April 10, 2023
First Day City: Freedom, Maine
Quantity Issued: 900,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint (“USPS” below lower left corner of flag field)
Format: Double-sided Booklet of 20
Perforations: Serpentine die cut 11 ¼ x 10 ¾ on 2 or 3 sides of the booklet stamp
Self-Adhesive
Why the stamp was issued: To continue the near-annual tradition of picturing the American flag on a stamp.
About the stamp design: Pictures a graphic design of Old Glory created by artist Hong Li. Beneath the flag is the word “FREEDOM” in gray.
First Day City: No official First Day of Issue Ceremony, but all of the 2023 US Flag stamps were issued in Freedom, Maine on April 10th.
History the stamp represents: Did you know the first official policy for the flying of the American flag at half-mast was passed on March 1, 1954? On that day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed:
“WHEREAS it is appropriate that the flag of the United States of America be flown at half-staff on Federal buildings, grounds, and facilities upon the death of principal officials and former officials of the Government of the United States and the Governors of the States, Territories, and possessions of the United States as a mark of respect to their memory…”
Today, there are many other reasons. For example, in 2020, President Donald Trump ordered the flag to fly at half-mast in remembrance of the American citizens who had died from COVID-19 up to that point. President Trump said, “Our Nation mourns for every life lost to the coronavirus pandemic, and we share in the suffering of all those who endured pain and illness from the outbreak. Through our grief, America stands steadfast and united against the invisible enemy. May God be with the victims of this pandemic and bring aid and comfort to their families and friends.”
No matter the reason, when the US flag flies at half-mast, it makes us all stop and take notice. It’s a reminder that, come what may, we all stand together as fellow Americans.
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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