USPS had not introduced Forever stamps in 2005. The official archive lists 27 issue entries for the year; each used a printed or service-specific denomination. A genuine unused stamp can still be combined with other postage at its printed value, but it does not automatically equal today's one-ounce letter rate.
2005 USPS stamp issue directory
| Issue date | Issue | Postage category | First-day location | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 27, 2005 | Marian Anderson | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Washington, DC | USPS record |
| February 9, 2005 | Ronald Reagan | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Simi Valley, CA | USPS record |
| February 18, 2005 | Love Bouquet | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Atlanta, GA | USPS record |
| March 3, 2005 | Northeast Deciduous Forest | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | New York, NY | USPS record |
| March 15, 2005 | Spring Flowers | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | TBA | USPS record |
| April 22, 2005 | Robert Penn Warren | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Guthrie, KY | USPS record |
| April 28, 2005 | Edgar Y. "Yip" Harburg | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | TBA | USPS record |
| May 4, 2005 | American Scientists | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | New Haven, CT | USPS record |
| May 19, 2005 | Masterworks of Modern American Architecture | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Las Vegas, NV | USPS record |
| May 20, 2005 | Henry Fonda | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Beverly Hills, CA | USPS record |
| June 30, 2005 | Art of Disney: Celebration | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Anaheim, CA | USPS record |
| June 30, 2005 | Hooded Mergansers | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Washington, DC | USPS record |
| July 29, 2005 | Advances in Aviation | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Oshkosh, WI | USPS record |
| July 30, 2005 | New Mexico Rio Grande Blankets | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Santa Fe, NM | USPS record |
| August 4, 2005 | Presidential Libraries | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Atlanta, GA | USPS record |
| August 20, 2005 | 50s Sporty Cars | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Detroit, MI | USPS record |
| August 27, 2005 | Arthur Ashe | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Flushing, NY | USPS record |
| August 30, 2005 | To Form a More Perfect Union | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Greensboro, NC | USPS record |
| September 7, 2005 | Child Health | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Philadelphia, PA | USPS record |
| September 16, 2005 | 3¢ Silver Coffeepot | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | New York, NY | USPS record |
| September 17, 2005 | Let’s Dance/Bailemos | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | New York, NY | USPS record |
| September 23, 2005 | Greta Garbo | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | TBA | USPS record |
| September 28, 2005 | Jim Henson and the Muppets | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | TBA | USPS record |
| October 3, 2005 | Constellations | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Bloomfield Hills, MI | USPS record |
| October 20, 2005 | Christmas Cookies | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | New York, NY | USPS record |
| November 10, 2005 | Distinguished Marines | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | TBA | USPS record |
| December 8, 2005 | Flag and Statue of Liberty | Fixed or service-specific denomination—not Forever | Washington, DC | USPS record |
Why a 2005 stamp is not a Forever stamp
The first USPS Forever stamp was issued April 12, 2007. A 2005 stamp therefore keeps its printed postage value rather than tracking the current one-ounce First-Class Mail letter rate. Read the denomination and service inscription on the actual stamp before mailing.
How to use an older stamp today
- Confirm the stamp is genuine and unused.
- Read the printed denomination or category inscription.
- Compare its postage value with the finished mailpiece’s current rate.
- Add other valid postage when the total is short; do not assume a year or theme changes the value.
Check the current Forever stamp value, browse the year-by-year Forever stamp directory, or use the postage decision guide.
Method and sources
Issue names, dates and first-day locations were checked against the official USPS Stamps Forever 2005 archive. Category rules were checked against the USPS history of stamps and Forever postage. Individual rows link to their official issue records.
Archive and classification checked September 2, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Are 2005 stamps still valid?
Genuine unused U.S. postage generally remains usable, but its value depends on the printed denomination or postage category. A pre-Forever or fixed-denomination stamp does not automatically become worth one current Forever stamp.
Does the issue year determine postage value?
No. The denomination and service category determine value. The year identifies the issue, not the amount of postage it supplies today.