The principal 2016 USPS Global Forever international stamp was The Moon. USPS issued the single round full-moon design on February 22, 2016, in self-adhesive panes of 10. Genuine unused examples now carry the current Global Forever value, $1.75 as of September 1, 2026, rather than the original $1.20 issue price.
2016 Global Forever issue at a glance
| Official name | The Moon |
|---|---|
| Issue date | February 22, 2016 |
| Issue city | Washington, DC |
| Postage category | Global Forever International rate |
| Original issue price | $1.20 |
| Current category value | $1.75 as of September 1, 2026 |
| Designs | One round full-moon photograph |
| Format | Pressure-sensitive pane of 10 |
| Item number | 589200 |
How to identify the 2016 Moon stamp
- It is round rather than rectangular.
- The central image is a detailed photograph of the full moon.
- The perimeter reads “GLOBAL USA FOREVER 2016.”
- The pane selvage shows a tree line silhouetted against a night sky.
- One pane contains 10 self-adhesive stamps.
The year in the surrounding text helps distinguish this release from other round Global Forever designs featuring Earth, flowers, holiday plants or wildlife.
Design credits
William J. Gicker served as art director. Greg Breeding designed the stamp using an existing moon photograph by Beth Swanson and illustrated the silhouetted tree-line selvage. The official announcement lists one design, so different moon phases are not part of this issue.
What the stamp pays for today
A Global Forever stamp follows the current price of a single-piece, one-ounce machinable First-Class Mail International letter. The 2016 Moon stamp was sold for $1.20, but an unused genuine example is worth the current $1.75 Global rate when used in its intended category.
That does not mean every international mailpiece needs exactly one. Extra weight, a nonmachinable letter, a large envelope, a package or a destination-specific restriction can require a different amount. Check the finished piece with the USPS international calculator.
Global Forever versus an ordinary domestic Forever stamp
| Feature | 2016 Moon Global Forever | Ordinary Forever |
|---|---|---|
| Primary category | One-ounce international machinable letter | One-ounce domestic stamped letter |
| Current value | $1.75 | $0.82 |
| Shape | Round | Usually rectangular, though designs vary |
| Printed identifier | Global USA Forever 2016 | USA Forever |
Current use and availability are different questions
An older issue can remain valid even when USPS no longer sells that design. “Still valid” describes postage value; “currently sold” describes inventory. Browse the current Global Forever stamps category, and see whether older Global Forever stamps expire.
Frequently asked questions
What was the 2016 international Forever stamp?
The Moon, a round Global Forever design featuring a detailed full-moon photograph.
How many 2016 Moon designs were issued?
One design, sold in self-adhesive panes of 10.
Is the 2016 Global Forever stamp still worth $1.20?
No. A genuine unused Global Forever stamp follows the current one-ounce international letter category, which is $1.75 as of September 1, 2026.
Can the Moon stamp mail every international item?
No. One stamp covers only a qualifying one-ounce machinable FCMI letter. Other weights, shapes and services need separate calculation.
Issue and rate facts checked September 1, 2026: USPS Stamp Announcement 16-09; USPS Moon release; USPS Notice 123.
For international postage options and destination-specific guidance, see Forever Stamps for International Mail: How to Use and Calculate Them.