New HI Value Waves Of Color Stamps - 12/1/2012 - Orlando, FL

I think that's the very point of why the USPS is issuing these stamps.

The printing technique is unique enough that they will thwart counterfeiters. The printing is a combination of offset and intaglio printing that (in the USPS's own write-up) suggests a look of modern currency. In fact, the technical specifications for these stamps suggest that each denomination is (believe it or not) a combination of eight (8) different color inks!

That, along with the tagging variety previously mentioned, and the proportionately larger size of the stamp as the denomination increases, will certainly make them noticeable.

Of course, collectibility of the stamps in legitimate used condition (other than philatelic creations) may indeed be more valuable to the philatelic market, as they will be relatively hard to come by as most non-collectors won't care whether they use stamps or just a USPS label/meter and since they will almost all certainly be used only on packages and parcels that take heavy abuse, many may wind up being pen (or magic marker) cancelled instead of handstamped and the end result will often find them damaged in any number of ways before they arrive at their destination.

I would really like to see a US series (High value or not) based on Coolidge's art "Dogs playing poker". Now that I would buy.

A 2013 release, only available in imperf press sheets:

Cjd, thank you for the picture and info. Wishes do come true..

Yes, the first day ceremony will be April 1, 2013, at Mountweazel, New Hampshire.

Maybe a chance for an SCF meetup?

That will certainly stand out on Christmas packages!

It sounds like the 'stardust' could be little sprinkles of ink (or something) that have been phosphor-coated prior to being applied to the stamps.

I wonder if the taggant (tagging) will follow the lines of the waves or be around the edges of the stamps (like on Canada's stamps) or will be all over the stamp's surface?

And . . . would the tagging be able to be removed (by bad guys) to create varieties?

To CJd: I had a good chuckle at myself, but thats okay. I am disappointed that I wion't be seeing the stamp though.

The latest issue (Holiday 2012) of US Philatelic indicates that single stamps may be purchased for all four of these high value stamps. If you are interested, the ordering numbers are as follows: $1 - 115510, $2 - 115610, $5 - 115710, and $10 - 115810. Well, $18 plus postage is a bit better than having to buy plate blocks of the two lower denominations - a savings of $9!

The USPS advertisement for the four reads that these "Four new high-denomination stamps characterized by rich colors and dense, abstract patterns offer added convenience for postal customers who are mailing large envelopes and packages. Elegant and distinctive - the sizes of the stamps increase with the denomination - the stamp designs benefit from a highly detailed printing process that creates patterns resembling those on engraved bank currency."

Although I can see why collectors would want these, and their appearance is even beginning to grow on me, I'd still like someone to explain to me how these are a "convenience" for either the customer (or the postal employee).

Just another public relations gimmick to convince the collecting public that they need these stamps.

Except for those who buy these stamps in advance and are ready to place them on their parcels before presenting it to a postal clerk, most post offices would place a meter on the package before one can even ask that the high value stamps to be used.

Since I send virtually no packages through the US Mail, I would have little interest in the stamps for actual postal use.

As a stamp collector, however, the stamps will likely be available for years to come, so there is no need to rush out and purchase them right now.

If I could give the USPS a suggestion, I'd like to see them issue some other LOW value stamps that one could use. Right now, we have denominations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 20 cent denominations. Why not some 6 cent stamps? I have a personal liking to use the 20-cent George Washington stamps on a lot my mail, as it is a traditional stamp that depicts a historical figure. Right now, I can use two 20-cent stamps and an 5-cent stamp to make up a first class postage rate with three stamps. With the January price increase, however, I'll need a 6 cent stamp that's not available, so I can only come up with the first class rate by using four stamps on an envelope.

The same thing holds true if I wanted to use up some old postcard rate stamps. To come up with enough small denomination stamps to bring it up to the first class rate, requires placing just too many stamps on the average envelope to make it practical.

I'm sharing this 11/15/2012 link to the US Postal Service website announcement about the upcoming Waves of Color Stamps:

http://about.usps.com/news/national...pr12_133.htm

I'm particularly intrigued by a statement made in the third paragraph of that news release, suggesting that the stamp denominations on each of the Waves of Color Stamps are EMBOSSED. Nowhere do I find any previous mention of that detail, either in Beyond the Perf or in the Postal Bulletin, so it would seem it's a new announcement about these stamps.

Today, I sent ZhangCheng a letter -- the postage was $2.99.

I wanted to (over-)frank the letter with the $2 and the $1 from this series. Since they seem to be so disliked by most people, I figure they won't be easy to find on cover. Unfortunately, neither of my local post offices had the stamps in stock.

KirkS

Word has it that some post offices are downright refusing to stock the Waves of Color stamps, since they don't meet any postal rate requirement and it's excess inventory for them when a postage meter is much more efficient.

If you absolutely must have the Waves of Color Stamps, some collectors are forced to order them from SFS.

The same would be true for a 6c stamp (although a much lower burden on their inventory total)

There is no such thing as a currently available 6 cent stamp anymore. The denominations available from the post office (as of 2013) are limited to 1-cent to 5-cent, 10-cent, 20-cent, 33-cent, $1, $2, $5 and $10, plus first class mail rate, Global (International) mail rate, Priority mail rate and Express Mail rate.

It's being reported on other stamp-related websites that the Waves of Color Stamps CANNOT be soaked, as they will disintegrate when doing so.