New U.S. stamp combinations, through the magic of computer programming

Postcards & Mail Mail, stamps & postal info
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If you’re like me, and you’re an American postcrosser, you’ve been wondering how the U.S. postage increases will affect your stamp usage. Postcrossers abroad tend to receive lots of our “global Forever” stamps on their cards from the U.S., so I try to use multiple other stamps instead to add up to the same price. This was easy under the current postage rates—two Forever stamps and a ten-cent stamp, or three postcard stamps with a ten and a two—but the new postage rates complicate things a lot.

Well, I whipped up a computer program to compute all the possible combinations, within reason. Here were the criteria I used:

  • worth at least $1.30 (the upcoming international one-ounce first-class rate) and no more than $1.40
  • no more than six stamps
  • no pairs of stamps that can be replaced by another stamp with exactly twice its value. For example, no “two five-cent stamps” when a ten-cent stamp will do. Note that this doesn’t exclude all degenerate cases—for example, “two-ounce” vs. “forever + additional ounce”—but I do expect some people will prefer the latter of those two, even though it uses more stamps, simply because there are more varieties of one-ounce stamps.
  • no combinations where you can remove one of the stamps and still have at least $1.30. As a basic example, I don’t have “global + one-cent” because you could remove the one-cent stamp and still be at $1.30.
  • using the following stamps:
    • 0.58 forever
    • 0.78 two-ounce
    • 0.98 three-ounce
    • 0.88 butterfly
    • 1.00 one-dollar
    • 1.30 global
    • 0.40 postcard
    • 0.20 additional ounce
    • 0.10 pear
    • 0.05 grape
    • 0.03 three-cent
    • 0.02 two-cent
    • 0.01 penny

With those rules, I came up with 49 combinations. Here’s the list, sorted by number of stamps and then by value. I’ve set in boldface the ones that include a $0.58 Forever stamp, since those have the most design variety by far:

With one stamp:
1.30 - global (1.30)

With two stamps:
1.36 - two-ounce (0.78) + forever (0.58)
1.38 - three-ounce (0.98) + postcard (0.40)
1.40 - one-dollar (1.00) + postcard (0.40)

With three stamps:
1.30 - one-dollar (1.00) + additional ounce (0.20) + pear (0.10)
1.30 - butterfly (0.88) + postcard (0.40) + two-cent (0.02)
1.31 - butterfly (0.88) + postcard (0.40) + three-cent (0.03)
1.33 - butterfly (0.88) + postcard (0.40) + grape (0.05)
1.36 - forever (0.58) + forever (0.58) + additional ounce (0.20)
1.38 - butterfly (0.88) + postcard (0.40) + pear (0.10)
1.38 - two-ounce (0.78) + postcard (0.40) + additional ounce (0.20)
1.38 - forever (0.58) + postcard (0.40) + postcard (0.40)

With four stamps:
1.30 - three-ounce (0.98) + additional ounce (0.20) + pear (0.10) + two-cent (0.02)
1.30 - two-ounce (0.78) + postcard (0.40) + pear (0.10) + two-cent (0.02)
1.30 - postcard (0.40) + postcard (0.40) + postcard (0.40) + pear (0.10)
1.31 - three-ounce (0.98) + additional ounce (0.20) + pear (0.10) + three-cent (0.03)
1.31 - two-ounce (0.78) + postcard (0.40) + pear (0.10) + three-cent (0.03)
1.31 - forever (0.58) + forever (0.58) + pear (0.10) + grape (0.05)
1.33 - three-ounce (0.98) + additional ounce (0.20) + pear (0.10) + grape (0.05)
1.33 - two-ounce (0.78) + postcard (0.40) + pear (0.10) + grape (0.05)
1.40 - postcard (0.40) + postcard (0.40) + postcard (0.40) + additional ounce (0.20)

With five stamps:
1.30 - one-dollar (1.00) + additional ounce (0.20) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + two-cent (0.02)
1.30 - forever (0.58) + forever (0.58) + pear (0.10) + three-cent (0.03) + penny (0.01)
1.30 - forever (0.58) + forever (0.58) + pear (0.10) + two-cent (0.02) + two-cent (0.02)
1.30 - forever (0.58) + postcard (0.40) + additional ounce (0.20) + pear (0.10) + two-cent (0.02)
1.31 - one-dollar (1.00) + additional ounce (0.20) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03)
1.31 - forever (0.58) + forever (0.58) + pear (0.10) + three-cent (0.03) + two-cent (0.02)
1.31 - forever (0.58) + postcard (0.40) + additional ounce (0.20) + pear (0.10) + three-cent (0.03)
1.32 - forever (0.58) + forever (0.58) + pear (0.10) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03)
1.33 - forever (0.58) + postcard (0.40) + additional ounce (0.20) + pear (0.10) + grape (0.05)

With six stamps:
1.30 - one-dollar (1.00) + additional ounce (0.20) + grape (0.05) + two-cent (0.02) + two-cent (0.02) + penny (0.01)
1.30 - one-dollar (1.00) + additional ounce (0.20) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + penny (0.01)
1.30 - one-dollar (1.00) + additional ounce (0.20) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + two-cent (0.02) + two-cent (0.02)
1.30 - three-ounce (0.98) + additional ounce (0.20) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + penny (0.01)
1.30 - three-ounce (0.98) + additional ounce (0.20) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + two-cent (0.02) + two-cent (0.02)
1.30 - three-ounce (0.98) + additional ounce (0.20) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03)
1.30 - two-ounce (0.78) + postcard (0.40) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + penny (0.01)
1.30 - two-ounce (0.78) + postcard (0.40) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + two-cent (0.02) + two-cent (0.02)
1.30 - two-ounce (0.78) + postcard (0.40) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03)
1.30 - forever (0.58) + forever (0.58) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03)
1.30 - postcard (0.40) + postcard (0.40) + postcard (0.40) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + two-cent (0.02)
1.31 - one-dollar (1.00) + additional ounce (0.20) + grape (0.05) + two-cent (0.02) + two-cent (0.02) + two-cent (0.02)
1.31 - one-dollar (1.00) + additional ounce (0.20) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + two-cent (0.02)
1.31 - three-ounce (0.98) + additional ounce (0.20) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + two-cent (0.02)
1.31 - two-ounce (0.78) + postcard (0.40) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + two-cent (0.02)
1.31 - postcard (0.40) + postcard (0.40) + postcard (0.40) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03)
1.32 - one-dollar (1.00) + additional ounce (0.20) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03)
1.32 - three-ounce (0.98) + additional ounce (0.20) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03)
1.32 - two-ounce (0.78) + postcard (0.40) + grape (0.05) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03) + three-cent (0.03)

Hopefully this helps some people! I’m curious what combinations y’all are thinking of using. Let me know in the replies :slight_smile: Also, let me know if I missed a stamp denomination you think I should include, or if you want me to do this calculation with another set of stamp values.

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2

Are you implying the first number within your columns is the amounted value in $ and also could you explain to me why or how to know if the combination must sum to 1.32, 1.31 or 1.30? One other thing, could you provide me a definition or more information on the exception stamp called ‘forever stamp’?

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Sure! Yes, the first number is the total value in dollars. I didn’t require it to add up to exactly $1.30 because, as the results show, there are lots of interesting combinations that don’t precisely add up to $1.30. The new stamp values aren’t really round numbers, so if you want to use one of the standard Forever stamps and add up to precisely $1.30, you have to use at least five stamps. In some cases I might be willing to overpay by a few cents if it means I can use stamps that I like better and fit them all on the postcard.

U.S. Forever stamps don’t have a denomination printed on them; they instead always match the current price of a domestic one-ounce letter. When these new postal rates go into effect, that will be $0.58. Actually, most of the stamps on the list work the same way; they have a rate printed on them, and their values always match the current value of that rate. For example, a “postcard” stamp matches the price of a domestic postcard, which with the new rates will be $0.40. A Global Forever stamp matches the international one-ounce letter rate, which will be $1.30.

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There are $0.88 butterflies? Please link them!

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Have the possible combinations with the butterfly stamps been omitted?

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The nonmachinable surcharge is increasing from $0.20 to $0.30. So the butterfly, which is currently $0.75 ($0.55 + $0.20), will increase to $0.88 ($0.58 + $0.30). (By “butterfly,” I mean the stamps that are tied to the current rate for a one-ounce domestic nonmachinable letter, which always have butterflies in their design.)

So, stock up on butterflies! I believe they’re the stamp that will have the greatest increase in value, on a percentage basis.

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7

This is great…thanks so much!

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There are a few three-stamp combos that include butterflies. Interesting that there are none with four stamps and up, though. I hadn’t noticed until you pointed it out!

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[Bookmarking for future reference]

This is exactly what I needed to avoid having to do mental math. You, sir, are wonderful. :raised_hands:

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Oh great … Just to make.things more complicated, you have to use different stamps for 2oz letters and regular, non-machinable letters?

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Also in which are the ways you are planning on using computer programming, because maybe the title should only state about the power of arithmetic.

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Thanks for posting this list! The first two combos with three stamps are my current game plan (already stocked up), depending on if I come across some stamps folks are getting rid of, OR if the USPS releases a stamp that would make it easier to just use two stamps (or some interesting GLOBAL stamps).
:sunglasses:

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I added the computer code I used to the main post, if you want to take a look! (or find bugs :stuck_out_tongue:)

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Okay I see now, thank you for sharing!

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I’m eyeing the 88+40+2 myself, especially since the butterflies are getting a lot more expensive! I bought five sheets of butterflies the other day. I’ll probably use the 58+58+10+5 for physically larger postcards, and eat the one-cent overpayment, so that I can use my mainline stamps.

Maybe I’ll do the 100+20+10 combo too, but none of those stamps are getting more expensive on August 29, so I’m not looking at stocking up on them as urgently.

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I buy older stamps on ebay and am looking forward to send Henry James (0.98) + Tennessee Williams (0.32) on their way …

But thanks for the explanation regarding the butterflies, I will buy some when visiting the post office in the next two weeks.

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When are the postage rates changing?

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August 29! Not too far off.

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It’s like our P stamps - it will always be the correct postage no matter when you use it. Buy it today & use it 5 years from now & it will be fine.

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I recently won an auction lot of WW postage stamps which included about US $140.00 at Face value. I have pretty much sorted them out into envelopes by face value. After August 29th, two Forever stamps are a given; but the combos to make up the $0.14 for the International rate are intriguing. Some possibilities (all Commemoratives):

► $0.06 + $0.08
► $0.10 + $0.04
► $0.10 + $0.05
► $0.13 + $0.01

…and so on. Moreover, how I use the additional stamps will depend on what I mail. That is, only so much room on a postcard; on an envelope more room. More than likely, I may use a single $0.15, $0.18 or $0.20 stamp along with two Forever stamps on a postcard.

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