U.S. Flag (US 2023)

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Announced by the USPS on October 24, 2022.

The Postal Service continues its tradition of celebrating the U.S. flag with this stamp, available in panes of 20, booklets of 20, and coils of 100, 3,000 and 10,000. The stamp art bears a straightforward graphic design of OId Glory. Providing a solid foundation for the flag are the word “FREEDOM” in gray and, below it, “FOREVER/USA.” Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with existing art by Hong Li.

New information will appear below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated July 3rd:
Scott updated the numbers for this issue:

5787 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ sheet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe (Banknote printing)

5788 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 9½ vert. coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” below lower left corner of flag field (Ashton-Potter print)

5789 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 10¾ coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe, stamps not adjacent on roll (Banknote printing)
5789A (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe, stamps adjacent on roll (Banknote printing)

5790 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” below lower left corner of flag field (Ashton-Potter print)
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

5791 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe (Banknote printing)
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

Updated June 6th:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:

  • 5787 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ sheet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe (Banknote printing)
  • 5788 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 9½ vert. coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” below lower left corner of flag field (Ashton-Potter print)
  • 5789 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 10¾ coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe, stamps not adjacent on roll (Banknote printing)
    a. Serpentine die cut 11, stamps adjacent on roll (Banknote printing)
  • 5790 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” below lower left corner of flag field (Ashton-Potter print)
    a. Convertible booklet pane of 20
  • 5791 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe (Banknote printing)
    a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

Updated March 9th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.55″ x 1.41″ There is no pictorial for this issue, just the FDOI “killer bars.”

Updated March 9th:
This stamp will be issued, in five formats on Monday, April 10, in Freedom, Maine, about 30 miles northeast of Augusta and 30 miles west-southwest of Bangor.

From the Postal Bulletin:

On April 10, 2023, in Freedom, ME, the United States Postal Service® will issue the U.S. Flag stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in the following formats:

  • A pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 122700).
  • A PSA double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 684300).
  • A PSA coil of 100 stamps (Item 740700).
  • A PSA coil of 3,000 stamps (Item 751300).
  • A PSA coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 761400).
  • A PSA coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 761400)

This stamp will go on sale nationwide April 10, 2023, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

With the issuance of the 2023 U.S. Flag stamp, the Postal Service™ continues its long tradition of honoring the American flag. The stamp art bears a straightforward graphic design of the red, white, and blue. Providing a solid foundation for the flag are the words “FREEDOM” in gray and, below it, “FOREVER / USA.” Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with existing art by Hong Li.

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at store.usps.com/store/home. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – U.S. Flag Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by August 10, 2023.

Technical Specifications — Pane of 20:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 122700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Existing Art: Hong Li
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 100,000,000
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in / 18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Pane Size (w x h): 5.30 x 4.88 in / 134.62 x 123.952 mm
Colors: Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C, Pantone 7687C
Plate Size: 320 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by three (3) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners
Back: ©2022 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (122700) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Technical Specifications — Booklet of 20:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 684300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-sided Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Illustrator: Hong Li
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 900,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in / 18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.52 x 1.96 in / 140.208 x 49.784 mm
Colors: Pantone 7687C, Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C
Plate Size: 1040 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by three (3) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header: “U.S. FLAG”, 20 First-Class Forever Stamps • ©2022 USPS in peel strip area • Barcode • USPS logo • Promotional text • Plate number in peel strip area

Technical Specifications — Coil of 100:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 740700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 100 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Illustrator: Hong Li
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 1,350,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Pantone 7687C, Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in / 18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Plate Size: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by three (3) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 31st stamp below stamp image

Technical Specifications — Coil of 3,000:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 751300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 3,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Illustrator: Hong Li
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 3,000
Print Quantity: 15,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C, Pantone 7687C
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in / 18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by three (3) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

Technical Specifications — Coil of 10,000:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 761400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 10,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Illustrator: Hong Li
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 125,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C, Pantone 7687C
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in / 18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by three (3) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

15 thoughts on “U.S. Flag (US 2023)”

    • Every time the prices hike, USPS released a new flag, Priority mail (Express or not), and bulk-rate or non-profit org stamps. Every 2 years is Madonna and Child, Hanukkah, a new set of postcard rate stamp… USPS used to issue an EID stamp every year do (depending on price hike), but the last one was in 2016. I need to assume it became unpopular for USPS to produce them. Same is probably with Diwali.😉

      • Many Stamps of low-demand go the the shredder/burn-bin. Thankfully, the FOREVER stamp made this less common. My Guess is the ‘Seasonal Demand’ keeps these available. ( Cheaper to store than destroy… ) It would seem this year they have enough ‘Flag” stamps left from previous years, mixed in with all the counterfeits…

        • How so? Stamps get recycled 24/7 Forever or not. Maybe that’s another reason why USPS issues those “Flag” stamps: To replace counterfeits.🤔

      • Misha, it’s almost easier for the USPS to print a new stamp than to order a new printing, plus some collectors complain about the tiny differences when a stamp IS reprinted.

        Eid and Diwali are purchased in huge quantities by interest groups. If the USPS runs out of existing stocks, it will issue new versions of the subjects. Hispanic-subject stamps have not had that support, but the USPS keeps trying.

        • Well yes, just like they did with Purple Heart which was reprinted numerous of times, the last of which was in 2019. Hispanic-subjects are commemoratives (Day of the Dead, 2021).😉

  2. From Post Bull 09 March 2023: USA Freedom Flag. To be Issued on 10 April 2023. NONE of the formats are on automatic distribution, FDoI City Freedom, Maine 04941 ( On The Belfast Rd ME – 137 ) DCP & 4-Bar USPS# 1227 Pn-20, # 6843 BK-20, #7407 Cl-100, #7513 Cl-3K, #7614 Cl-10K. ALL versions printed by BankNote Co, AND the BK-20 & Cl-100 Also Printed by Ashton Potter. ( Different Printer, Same USPS#) MANY of these stamps will be printed. ( 100 Million – 1350 Million )

  3. In the past, the flag stamp was issued by APU in coil and booklet format and by BCA in sheet, coil and booklet format. Will that happen this year?

  4. From USA Philatelic Q2 pg 4:
    Printer USPS# Desc
    BCA 122704 Pn-20 + #16 and #21
    ? 122726 Stamp Pin & Cancellation card $14.95
    BCA 684302 Bk-20
    APU 684304 Bk-20 + #16 and #21
    BCA 740702 Cl-100 ( No Strips )
    APU 740704 Cl-100 ( No strips or FDoI )
    BCA 751303 Strip-25 with PNC ( Cl 3K )
    BCA 751304 Cl-3K + #15 ( Strip-500) & #16 4-Bar FDoI
    BCA 761403 Strip-25 with PNC ( Cl 10K )
    BCA 761404 Cl-10K + #15 ( Strip-500 ) & #16 4-Bar FDoI

    • Scott this morning issued an update to the June numbers. I’ve added them above.

  6. 5789A has an Imperforate Error in circulation. How scarce are they, and will it be recognized by Scott?

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