First U.S. Savings Stamp 

First U.S. Savings Stamp 

U.S. #S1 was issued on this day in 1954.

On November 30, 1954, the Post Office Department issued its first Savings Stamp, #S1.

Over the years, there have been several different types of Savings Stamps in the U.S. In 1911, there were Postal Savings stamps that could be redeemed as credits to postal savings accounts. Then in 1917, there were War Savings stamps that could be redeemed for U.S. treasury war certificates, defense bonds or war bonds. War savings stamps were discontinued after World War I, but were reinstated with American entry into World War II and took on a new look, featuring the patriotic “Minuteman.” Postal Savings stamps of this era also featured the Minuteman.

U.S. #S2 was issued on December 30, 1954

The stirring Minuteman image was then applied to a new savings stamp introduced on November 30, 1954. The United States Savings stamps program was created to encourage savings and thrift among American schoolchildren.

Stamps were issued in denominations of 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, and $5. Albums and other materials that appealed to the spirit of patriotism accompanied the “Minuteman” Savings stamps.

U.S. #S3 was issued on December 31, 1956.

U.S. Savings stamps were purchased by school administrators at local post offices and resold to students. An album containing $18.75 in Savings stamps could be exchanged for a U.S. Savings Bond with a face value of $25.00.

In 1958, the 25¢ Savings stamp was reissued with a new design that incorporated a 48-star U.S. flag. In 1961, the 25¢ stamp was updated to include a 50-star U.S. flag in recognition of Alaska and Hawaii’s admission to the Union. The U.S. Savings stamp program was discontinued in 1970.

U.S. #S4 was issued on March 13, 1957.
U.S. #S5 was issued on November 30, 1956.
U.S. #S6 was issued on November 18, 1958.
U.S. #S7 was issued in 1961.

Click here to see what else happened on This Day in History.

Did you like this article? Click here to rate:
[Total: 28 Average: 4.9]

Share this article

2 responses to "First U.S. Savings Stamp "

2 thoughts on “First U.S. Savings Stamp ”

Leave a Comment

Love history?

Discover events in American history – plus the stamps that make them come alive.

Subscribe to get This Day in History stories straight to your inbox every day!