Postal Letter

What happens to "old rate" stamps when the USPS rate increases?

For purely sentimental reasons, I'm interested in two stamps out of a sheet of 20 that the USPS sells. Now that the 39¢ 1st class postage will soon increase to 41¢, and these sheets will thus become obsolete, what will happen to their unsold stock? I'd buy as many of those two stamps as I could muster — I'd even make an offer to my Postmaster — would they consider it? Or is there a Postal Code that would rather (egad) see all stamps destroyed than break up a sheet? I believe I have some time to make this offer, if anyone out there can lend advice --- thx!

Public Comments

1. They should be able to rip out just the ones you want, but that's a pain in the neck and they just might go postal on you. The stamps never go bad, so even if you had to buy full sheets you could always use them together with 2c stamps or whatever to make up the new rate.
2. They will not sell them at less than face value as they will always be worth 39 cents. You can buy as many 2 cent stamps as you want.
3. I doubt that they will destroy them. You can still use old stamps (if you wanted to). My guess is that they will continue to sell them until they are out of stock. Also, you won't be able to get them for a deal, they'll continue to cost 39 cents.
4. Hmmm. Can you add? one 39 cent stamp plus two one cent stamps adds up to pretty close to 41 cent stamp.
5. I don't believe the Post Office destroys old stamps. I believe they're kept on hand until they're sold. If nothing else, they could "push" them on over-the-counter sales, if a local vault was getting crowded. I suggest gritting your teeth and getting the whole sheets and using the ones you don't cherish on bills and such. Carry extra 39-centers along with 2-centers in your wallet and make yourself a button "Stamps, only 41-cents!"