New postage rate generates new stamps

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- With the cost of a U.S. First-Class postage stamp increasing to 39 cents today, The U.S. Postal Service has issued a pair of new stamps.

Since the Postal Service announced the increase -- up from 37 cents -- it has promised to make an ample supply of two-cent stamps available, along with the new 39-cent stamp.

The new 39-cent non-denominated First-Class definitive stamp -- Lady Liberty and U.S. Flag -- features an image of the Statue of Liberty and the American flag. The statue was designed by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi with assistance from engineer and Eiffel Tower designer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel.

The newly-available two-cent stamp is actually a reprint of the two-cent definitive issued in 2004, called the Navajo Jewelry stamp. The reissued stamp features a painted detail of a Navajo silver and turquoise necklace with sand-cast "squash blossoms" set with polished blue turquoise nuggets.

The stamp is available in panes of 20.