Not every USPS butterfly stamp is an ordinary Forever stamp. Butterfly artwork has appeared on Nonmachinable Surcharge value-indicator stamps and on fixed-denomination issues. Read the printed wording and verify the specific issue before deciding its postage value.
Three butterfly stamp types
| Type | What the wording means | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Forever | FOREVER / USA for the ordinary one-ounce letter category | Qualifying one-ounce domestic letter |
| Nonmachinable Surcharge | Value tracks the one-ounce letter price plus the applicable nonmachinable surcharge | Qualifying letter-size pieces with nonmachinable characteristics |
| Fixed denomination | Printed cent or dollar amount | Provides only the printed postage value |
Why the butterfly image is not enough
The 2015 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and 2016 Eastern Tailed-Blue issues were sold as Nonmachinable Surcharge stamps. Other butterfly issues, including denominated designs, follow different value rules. Color, species and seller wording cannot replace the inscription and official issue record.
When a nonmachinable stamp may apply
A letter can be nonmachinable because it is square, rigid, nonrectangular, has an unusual aspect ratio, contains clasps or has uneven thickness. The finished piece must still meet letter-size standards. A rigid or uneven large envelope may instead be priced as a parcel.
How to verify a butterfly stamp
- Read every value indicator and service inscription.
- Identify the issue name and year.
- Compare it with the official USPS announcement.
- Classify the finished mailpiece by dimensions, weight and flexibility.
- Check the current price list before mailing.
See the listed California Dogface Butterfly stamp or browse Non-Machinable Stamps. The 2015 USPS announcement and 2016 USPS announcement document two value-indicator butterfly issues.