U.S. Letter Rates Since the Civil War
Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff 
The first U.S. postage stamps were issued on July 1, 1847. At that time, postal rates varied by distance traveled-under 300 miles, letters cost 5 cents per 1/2 oz; over 300 miles, letters cost 10 cents per 1/2 oz. (These rates fluctuated in the decade that followed.) Until prepayment became mandatory on April 1, 1855, Americans had the option to pay collect, which could entail higher rates. Since July 1, 1863, letters sent to all parts of the United States have been charged at the same rate.
| Date | Price per Ounce |
|---|---|
| July 1, 1863 | 3 cents per 1/2 oz. |
| Oct. 1, 1883 | 2 cents per 1/2 oz. |
| July 1, 1885 | 2 cents per 1 oz. |
| Nov. 2, 1917 | 3 cents per 1 oz.* |
| July 1, 1919 | 2 cents per 1 oz. |
| July 6, 1932 | 3 cents per 1 oz. |
| Aug. 1, 1958 | 4 cents per 1 oz. |
| Jan. 7, 1963 | 5 cents per 1 oz. |
| Jan. 7, 1968 | 6 cents per 1 oz. |
| May 16, 1971 | 8 cents per 1 oz. |
| March 2, 1974 | 10 cents per 1 oz. |
| Dec. 31, 1975 | 13 cents for 1st oz.** |
| May 29, 1978 | 15 cents for 1st oz. |
| March 22, 1981 | 18 cents for 1st oz. |
| Nov. 1, 1981 | 20 cents for 1st oz. |
| Feb. 17, 1985 | 22 cents for 1st oz. |
| April 3, 1988 | 25 cents for 1st oz. |
| Feb. 3, 1991 | 29 cents for 1st oz. |
| Jan. 1, 1995 | 32 cents for 1st oz. |
| Jan. 10, 1999 | 33 cents for 1st oz. |
| Jan. 7, 2001 | 34 cents for 1st oz. |
| June 30, 2002 | 37 cents for 1st oz. |
| Jan. 8, 2006 | 39 cents for 1st oz. |
| May 14, 2007 | 41 cents for 1st oz. |
| May 12, 2008 | 42 cents for 1st oz. |
| May 11, 2009 | 44 cents for 1st oz. |
| Jan. 23, 2012 | 45 cents for 1st oz. |
| Jan. 27, 2013 | 46 cents for 1st oz. |
*A temporary cost increase to aid the war effort. **Since Dec. 31, 1975, weight in excess of one oz has been charged at a lower rate. For instance, the current rate is 41 cents for the first oz and 17 cents for each additional oz.
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