Rare US H Postcard Rate Stamp

What's the story behind the rare USA H postcard rate stamp?

I had one of these mint stamps a part of my US collection which I lost during Katrina. If I remember, the USPS was expecting a rate increase of 1 cent for post cards in Jan 1999 – from 20 cent to 21 cent but the rate increase was never approved; only the 1st class additional 1 cent rate gained approval. I got mine on ebay. The Scott supplement never had a place for it and I never thought much of it until you brought it up.

The official Scott Catalog reference suggests:




Interestingly, the 2011 catalog values them as unused $5000; used $4000. The 2013 catalog values them lower at unused $3000; used $2500.

Here's one newspaper article dating back to 2006 that attempts to tell the story behind them:

http://www.bannergraphic.com/story/1224922.html

I am sure I paid less than $5 on ebay for mine sometime in 1999. Like so much of my collection it was lost under 8 ft of water.

Interesting item! I'm terribly sorry for your loss during Katrina. That makes me sick to even think about and it's not even my collection!