Current answer for why is forever crossed out in stamp images?
Reviewed August 25, 2026. This section separates current facts from historical prices, archived promotions, and issue-year information elsewhere in the article.
Current-use note: An ordinary domestic Forever stamp now has an 82-cent postage value for a qualifying one-ounce First-Class Mail letter. The issue year does not expire the stamp; the finished mailpiece still has to meet current USPS size, weight, and machinability rules.
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In your daily use of U.S. stamps, you may have noticed that some stamps with the word “Forever” have a thin horizontal line under the word, which looks like it has been crossed out. This makes you wonder: does this mean that the stamp is no longer valid? Or is it just a printing error?
In fact, this “Forever” is not accidental, but a design strategy adopted by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in certain periods to cope with postage adjustments. It is closely related to the mechanism behind forever stamps and the way USPS handles changes in stamp denominations.
The original intention of the Forever stamp: buy once, valid forever
Before 2007, every time the postage was raised, consumers had to pay the difference for old stamps, which was troublesome and prone to errors. To solve this problem, USPS introduced Forever Stamps .
Its biggest feature is that no matter how the postage is adjusted in the future, as long as you buy a Forever stamp, its value will always be equal to the current postage of a one-ounce letter of first-class mail . This means that even if you bought a Forever stamp for $0.41 five years ago, you can still put it on an envelope for $0.73 now without having to subsidize the difference.
This design greatly simplified the mailing process and reduced the risk of stamps being “obsolete” due to changes in face value. No wonder it quickly became one of the most popular stamp types for USPS.
Why was Forever crossed out? The real reason is actually the “transition to no par value”
So the question is: why is “Forever” crossed out on stamps?
Simply put, this type of stamp with a crossed-out design is actually a non-denominated stamp , which usually appears when the USPS is expected to adjust postage but has not yet finalized the new denomination.
The meaning of the underline “Forever”:
Avoid printing waste : If specific denominations are printed before the postage is officially approved, a large number of stamps may be scrapped if the approval result is different from expectations.
Marking “temporary” purpose : This strike-through mark reminds staff and consumers that although the stamp has been issued, its “permanence” has not yet officially taken effect, and its value will be automatically matched after the new postage is determined.
It is actually equivalent to the official Forever stamp : once the postage takes effect, this type of stamp automatically obtains the “permanent” use qualification equal to the new postage. For consumers, it is no different from the use of ordinary Forever Stamp.
“Forever” is just one of many valueless stamps
In fact, this is not the first time that USPS has used the no-face-value strategy. Before the advent of the forever stamp, the United States had used similar “letter stamps” to get through the postage adjustment period:
P-grade stamps : For example, “P” stamps were used before a postage rate adjustment in 1991. Their face value was equivalent to the new postage rate that had not yet been announced at that time.
A to D letter stamps : USPS has also issued temporary stamps such as “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D”. Each letter represents a postage level that will be adjusted.
What these stamps have in common is that no specific amount is written on them when they are issued, but they “automatically take effect” after the new postage is announced.
“Strike-through Forever” is the continuation of this tradition in the era of permanent stamps.
What do consumers need to pay attention to?
Although the “Strikethrough Forever” may seem a little confusing, it actually has no effect on the use of the stamp. Just remember the following points:
Still works fine : Whether or not the Forever is crossed, as long as the stamp is unused, its value is equal to the current first class postage.
Don’t worry about making up the difference : You don’t have to pay anything for this type of stamp, it automatically adjusts to the postage rate.
Collection potential : Since “Strict Forever” is usually issued within a short period of time before or after a postage adjustment, it may have certain identification value and rarity for philatelists.
If you are looking for collection interest or want to stock up on some practical stamps, you might want to pay attention to these uniquely designed batches. Some collection websites or stamp distribution platforms will also specially mark “Strike-through Forever Stamps” for collectors to choose from.
Conclusion: Don’t let the line “Forever” bother you
The crossed-out “Forever” is not a signal of depreciation, but a design ingenuity of the USPS in the process of postage adjustment. It ensures that stamps will not be out of supply during critical periods and avoids large-scale printing waste.
As an ordinary user, you can use this type of stamps with confidence. Whether there are horizontal lines on it or not, its mission remains that simple promise: send a letter and convey a thought.
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