1950–1999 US Stamp Sets & Series

Celebrate the Century

On February 3rd, 1998, the Postal Service released the first sheets of Celebrate the Century stamps. Prompted by the upcoming Millennium celebration, this series recognizes those people, places, and events that shaped the twentieth century. Each sheet contains 15 stamps – click on the enlarged stamps to discover more about each subject.

World War II 50th Anniversary

World War II was the most significant event of the 20th century. The U.S. Postal Service began planning for the war’s 50th anniversary in 1985. It wanted to honor the key events of the war effort as well as the various aspects of national endeavor that contributed to Allied victory. But how to do that … Read more

Great Americans Series

The popular Great Americans Series honors special Americans from all walks of life and honors them for their contributions to society and their fellow man. Sixty-four different stamps make up the complete set to pay tribute to important individuals who were leaders in education, the military, literature, the arts, and human and civil rights.

Prominent Americans Series

The Prominent Americans Series of definitive stamps replaced the Liberty Series. Rather than focus primarily on political figures as its predecessor had, the Prominent Americans Series reflects the growing diversity of its era. Two women and an African American were commemorated in a U.S. stamp series for the first time. But the series is also known for the … Read more

Liberty Series

The Liberty Series was issued from 1954-61. It included definitive stamps with denominations ranging from 1/2¢ to $5. (It would be the last 1/2¢ definitive stamp issued by the U.S.) The Liberty Series was generally replaced by the Prominent Americans series beginning in 1965. However, the 2¢ Jefferson and 25¢ Revere coil stamps were reprinted … Read more

Transportation Series

A ground-breaking stamp was quietly issued on May 18, 1981. For the first time in U.S. history, a coil stamp featured its own unique design rather than simply copying that of the current definitive stamp. Fifty more coil stamps would be issued over the course of the next 15 years, each picturing a different mode of transportation. … Read more

American Folklore

According to Wikipedia, folklore “consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales, stories, tall tales, and customs included in the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group.” With the American Folklore stamp series, the USPS captured the things that make our nation unique. John Chapman, popularly known as Johnny Appleseed, is … Read more

Pioneers of Aviation

This stamp was issued to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s historic first powered flight in 1903. This issue is the first in a series of international airmail stamps that honors American aviation pioneers and significant aviation developments.

American Bicentennial Series

The U.S. Postal Service issued 113 commemorative stamps over a six-year period in honor of the U.S. bicentennial, beginning with the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission Emblem stamp (U.S. #1432). As a group, the Bicentennial Series chronicles one of our nation’s most important chapters, and remembers the events and patriots who made the U.S. a world model … Read more