You’re rummaging through a junk drawer—past the dead batteries and the mystery keys—and you find it. A small, slightly curled sheet of stamps you bought three, maybe five years ago. They don’t have a price on them. Just the word "Forever" and maybe a picture of a flag or a cool-looking bird.
Most people look at those and wonder if they’re still "good." Or if they need to go buy a bunch of those annoying two-cent stamps to make up the difference because the news said prices went up again. Honestly, the answer is simpler than you think, but the math behind it is actually kind of wild when you look at how fast things are changing.
The Real Forever First Class Stamp Value Right Now
As of right now, in January 2026, the forever first class stamp value is 78 cents.
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If you bought that stamp back in 2019, you only paid 55 cents for it. If you found one from the very first batch in 2007, you only paid 41 cents. But here’s the kicker: even though you paid 41 cents, that little piece of paper is worth 78 cents to the post office today.
It’s basically the only thing in your house that gains value while sitting in a drawer. You've essentially "locked in" a price. It doesn't matter if the USPS raises the rate to a dollar next year; your Forever stamp will still cover the full cost of a one-ounce letter.
Why the Price Stays Put (For Now)
We actually just dodged a bullet. While shipping costs for things like Priority Mail and Ground Advantage just hiked up about 6% to 8% on January 18, 2026, the USPS decided to keep the price of First-Class stamps steady at 78 cents for the start of the year.
Usually, they like to move these prices in July and January. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s "Delivering for America" plan has been aggressive about these hikes to keep the lights on, but for this specific window, your 78-cent stamp is the stable king of the mailroom.
How to Tell What Your Stamps Are Worth
Not every stamp is a Forever stamp. This is where people get tripped up and end up with "Return to Sender" stickers on their wedding invites.
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- The "Forever" Text: If the stamp literally says the word "Forever" on it, it is always worth the current one-ounce letter rate. No math needed.
- Dated Stamps: If you find old stamps with a cent value printed on them (like 29¢ or 32¢), those are not Forever stamps. They are worth exactly what is printed on them. You can still use them, but you’ll have to "Frankenstein" them together to hit that 78-cent target.
- Global Forever Stamps: These are the round ones. They currently cost $1.70. They work just like domestic stamps but are meant for international mail. If you use one of these on a local letter, you’re basically donating about 92 cents to the government. Not a crime, just a bummer.
Is It Actually a Good Investment?
People always joke about "investing" in stamps. It sounds silly. But if you look at the trajectory, the first-class rate has jumped from 58 cents in 2021 to 78 cents today. That’s a 34% increase in five years.
Try finding a savings account that gives you that kind of return.
Of course, nobody is getting rich off a book of 20 stamps. But for small businesses or anyone sending out hundreds of holiday cards, buying a few "coils" (the big rolls of 100 stamps) before a announced price hike is a legitimate way to save fifty or sixty bucks.
Common Misconceptions That Cost You Money
I see this all the time: people think stamps expire. They don't.
As long as the adhesive still works—or you have some tape that doesn't cover the face of the stamp—that 2007 Liberty Bell Forever stamp is perfectly valid.
Another weird one? People think you can't use Forever stamps on packages. You can, actually. If you’re sending a heavy envelope that costs $4.00 to mail, you can slap six Forever stamps on it. The post office treats each one as 78 cents of credit. It looks messy, and you're technically overpaying by 68 cents (since 6 x 0.78 = 4.68), but it works in a pinch if you can't get to a kiosk.
The "Additional Ounce" Trap
If your letter is heavy—like a thick graduation announcement with photos—the first ounce is covered by your Forever stamp. The second ounce costs 29 cents.
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Don't waste a second Forever stamp on that extra ounce! You'd be using 78 cents of value to cover a 29-cent debt. Instead, buy "Additional Ounce" stamps (the ones with the brush-type font or the school bus) which are specifically priced for this.
What’s Next for Your Mailbox?
Expect another price review around July 2026. The USPS has been pretty transparent about the fact that they need more revenue to modernize their fleet and fix the network.
If you have a drawer full of stamps, keep them. They are literally getting more valuable every time the news mentions inflation. If you’re low, maybe grab a book next time you’re at the grocery store.
Next Steps for You:
- Check your stash: Look for the "Forever" mark. If you have "cent-denominated" stamps, set them aside for "top-offs."
- Calculate your upcoming mail: If you have a wedding or a large mailing coming up in late 2026, consider buying your stamps now while the 78-cent rate is locked in.
- Avoid the "over-postage" mistake: Use a kitchen scale to see if your letter is over one ounce. If it is, buy the 29-cent "Additional Ounce" stamps rather than doubling up on Forever stamps.
- Verify your stamps: Only buy from the USPS or reputable big-box retailers like Costco. There’s a massive influx of "discount" stamps online (Facebook ads, etc.) that are almost always counterfeits, and the USPS has gotten very good at detecting them and seizing the mail they're attached to.