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.
