New D Stamp to Supplement 22-Cent Issue

The U.S. Postal Service said Monday it plans to issue stamps bearing the letter “D” and carrying no denomination in an effort to ensure adequate supplies of stamps when postage rates rise Feb. 17.

The D stamps will be issued Feb. 1, as will embossed envelopes bearing the D postage designation. They will represent the new 22-cent rate for first class letters.

Postmaster General Paul N. Carlin said in a statement that the stamps without denominations were already in stock and were being issued because “we estimate that stamp inventories in post offices on Feb. 17 would fall short of public demand.”

The rate for First Class postal cards will rise to 14 cents. A card bearing a likeness of patriot Charles Carroll and the words “U.S. Domestic Rate” will also be issued Feb. 1.

Carlin said the postal service is printing 22-cent stamps as rapidly as possible. The D stamps are expected to be replaced by stamps bearing the 22-cent denomination by the end of March, the postal service said. The D stamps can be used only for domestic mail.