[Butterfly Stamp] Identifying Rare & Valuable Stamps 2024

In the ever-evolving world of postage, the Butterfly Stamp stands out as a unique and practical solution, especially as we move into 2024. The United States Postal Service (USPS) in collaboration with the Greetings Card Association (GCA) has crafted this special stamp, addressing the needs of non-standard mail items. Whether you’re sending a square, rigid, or embellished envelope, the USPS Butterfly Stamp ensures your greeting cards and special mail reach their destinations seamlessly.

As we look ahead, the butterfly stamp value in 2024 promises to hold its significance, not just as a functional postage tool but also as a collector’s item. What makes the Butterfly Stamp an essential item for both regular users and stamp enthusiasts is its status as a ‘forever stamp’. No matter the fluctuations in postal rates, the value of these stamps will always match the current rate for non-machinable mail, making them a wise and cost-effective investment.

Moreover, understanding the butterfly stamp equivalent is crucial for effective mailing. These stamps are specifically designed for items that cannot be processed through standard postal machines due to their unique size or embellishments. This includes those charming greeting cards enclosed in square envelopes or envelopes with decorative elements like clasps, strings, or buttons.

So, let’s embark on a detailed journey into the world of Butterfly Stamps. We’ll explore their value, their unique role within the USPS system, and why they are an indispensable tool for ensuring your special mail is delivered without any postal hiccups.

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What Does a Butterfly Stamp Mean?

Customers most often struggled to send their greeting cards because they did not know how many stamps they should use and how much postage they should add to make sure that their greeting cards would reach their destination successfully.

In 2010, the United States Postal Service and Greetings Card Association introduced a special form of the stamp (i.e., the Butterfly stamp) that works specifically on greeting cards. These stamps were designed for cards that have an irregular shape and require additional postage.

Today, greeting cards come in different sizes and shapes; Butterfly stamps are designed especially for these oddly shaped envelopes and cards. Butterfly stamps guarantee that they will cover the postage so that your envelope or card will not be returned to you.

The postage on a Butterfly stamp will cover a non-machinable surcharge as well as a 1-ounce First-Class mail letter postage that is equivalent to a standard Forever stamp.

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What is a Non-Machinable Surcharge?

A non-machinable surcharge is an extra postage that the United States Postal Service might charge on First-Class mail letters that look unique or on an oddly shaped envelope. This surcharge applies to odd envelopes or letters because they cannot be machine-processed due to their odd shape.

As these oddly shaped envelopes or letters can’t be machine processed, they have to be handled by hand by the USPS staff, so you have to pay this extra charge to them to cover their handling. The non-machinable surcharge in the US is currently $0.15.

An envelope or letter requires a non-machinable surcharge if:

• If the envelope or letter is wrapped in poly or is enclosed in plastic material.
• If the envelope is closed by buttons or strings for decorations.
• If the letter contains content that might break or cannot be bent easily.
• If a letter is uneven because it contains items like keys, pins, buttons, or any other related product.
• If the letter or envelope does not meet the standard aspect ratio of machinable letters, which should be 1.3, or more than 1.3, but less than 2.5.

What is the Equivalent Postage of a Butterfly Stamp?

An additional 20 cents per ounce will remain the same. A surcharge of 30 cents will be added to non-standard square-shaped cards. Consequently, the Butterfly Stamp’s price will rise to 88 cents.

What is a Butterfly Stamp Used For?

The USPS will reissue this stamp with a butterfly design when postal prices increase. They chose the butterfly symbol for all future stamps for nonmachinable letters.

Are butterfly Stamps Forever Stamps?

The stamp is valid for the rate it displays for the lifetime of the stamp, just like a Forever Postage stamp. USPS plans to publicize a new butterfly design for this stamp when postal prices rise.

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How Much Does a Butterfly Stamp Cost in 2023?

The cost of a Butterfly stamp is the same as a Forever stamp, which is currently $0.88. The Butterfly stamp will always be honored at the rate of the postage printed on them. Butterfly stamps are issued in panes of 20, and a Butterfly stamp is considered a Forever stamp.

Read More: Does FedEx Sell Stamps?

How Much Weight Does a Butterfly Stamp Cover?

New Butterfly Stamp cover weight of one ounce of First Class Mail.

What is the Current Butterfly Stamp?

In 2019, the United States Postal Service issued the current Butterfly stamp, and this was the seventh series of butterfly stamps. The new issue Butterfly stamp features the famous California Dogface butterfly.

The stamp shows a male Dogface butterfly (Zerene Eurydice) with distinctive marks on the wings that resemble a poodle’s profile. The Dogface butterfly is the national insect of California.

The male Dogface butterfly was designed by Art Director Derry Noyed and digitally created by nationally renowned artist Tom Engeman.

Read More: How Many Stamps in a Book?

When Should I Use a Butterfly Stamp?

The GCA, in collaboration with greeting card manufacturers, makes butterfly stamps. Greeting card manufacturers have printed a silhouette image of a butterfly on their envelopes. There’ll be a text on the envelope that reads, “Butterfly Stamp or Equivalent Postage Required.”

Sometimes, a Butterfly stamp is not needed for a simple greeting card or envelope. However, in some cases, the envelope or greeting card needs a Butterfly stamp so that it will reach its destination and won’t return to the sender.

A Butterfly stamp can be used instead of a standard Forever Stamp on First-Class mail. You can use the Butterfly stamp on a letter or greeting card in the following cases:

• If your envelope is more than the standard aspect ratio of machinable letters, i.e., if its length divided by height is more than 2.5.
• If the letter or envelope is rigid or doesn’t bend easily.
• If your envelope or letter is square.
• If an envelope or letter contains items like keys, pins, buttons, or any other related product that adds uneven thickness.
• If the envelope has an address that is parallel to the shorter dimensions of the letter.

If you do not have a Butterfly stamp on hand, some other stamps of equivalent postage are accepted, but they may cost a bit high. However, using a Butterfly stamp makes sure that you are not paying more than postage.

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Butterfly Stamp – FAQs

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”What Does a Butterfly stamp mean?”]Butterfly stamps are designed especially for greeting cards that have an irregular shape and require additional postage. Butterfly stamps guarantee that they’ll cover the postage, and the postage on a Butterfly stamp covers a non-machinable surcharge as well as a 1-ounce First-Class mail letter postage. The cost of a Butterfly stamp is currently $0.80[/wps_faq]

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”How much does a non-machinable stamp cost?”]A non-machinable surcharge is an extra postage that the United States Postal Service might charge on First-Class mail letters or envelopes that are oddly shaped. The non-machinable surcharge in the United States is currently $0.20.[/wps_faq]

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Can I use 2 Forever stamps instead of a Butterfly stamp?”]Yes, you can add multiple stamps to your envelope, but they may cost slightly high. However, if you use a Butterfly stamp, you don’t have to pay any additional charges. Butterfly Stamp ensures that you’re not overpaying for postage.[/wps_faq]

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”What if I do not have a Butterfly stamp?”]If you don’t have a Butterfly stamp on hand, you can still use some other stamps of equivalent postage, and your envelope or letter will successfully reach your destination, but this may cost a bit high. Furthermore, the use of a Butterfly stamp ensures that you’re not paying more than postage.[/wps_faq]

Conclusion

Butterfly stamps are specially designed for greeting cards or envelopes that have irregular shapes. If you want to send oddly shaped envelopes or greeting cards that are too hard or too thick, you have to use a Butterfly stamp so that your card or envelope will not be returned to you.

A Butterfly stamp guarantees that your envelope or card will successfully reach your destination. If you don’t have a Butterfly stamp on hand, you can still send your greeting card by adding multiple stamps to your envelope, but it may cost a bit high. However, you don’t need a Butterfly stamp for a simple greeting card or envelope in some cases.