History of U.S. Postage Stamp Prices

Prior to the middle of the 19^th century, rates were based on the number of sheets in a letter and the distance it was traveling. In 1845, rates were based on the weight of a letter and the distance it was going. Beginning in 1863, domestic letter rates became "uniform," that is, they were based solely on weight, regardless of distance.

Postage listed below is in cents.

Domestic Letters
Effective Date	Per 1/2 ounce
March 3, 1863	3
March 3, 1883	2
	Per ounce
July 1, 1885	2
November 3, 1917	3
July 1, 1919	2
July 6, 1932	3
August 1, 1958	4
January 7, 1963	5
January 7, 1968	6
May 16, 1971	8
March 2, 1974	10
	First Ounce	Each Additional Ounce
September 14, 1975	10	9
December 31, 1975	13	11
May 29, 1978	15	13
March 22, 1981	18	17
November 1, 1981	20	17
February 17, 1985	22	17
April 3, 1988	25	20
February 3, 1991	29	23
January 1, 1995	32	23
January 10,1999	33	22
January 5, 2001	34	23
June 30, 2002	37	23
January 8, 2006	39	24
May 14, 2007	41	17
May 12, 2008	42	17
May 11, 2009	44	17
April 17, 2011	44	20
January 22, 2012	45