Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit Stamps, Sheet of 20

Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit Stamps, Sheet of 20

Forever 73¢

SKU:

Issue Date: 1/12/2023

In 2023, the U.S. Postal Service issues the fourth of 12 stamps in the latest Lunar New Year series. The Year of the Rabbit begins January 22, 2023, and ends on February 9, 2024.

Utilizing red, pink, and purple as the predominant colors—said to be lucky colors for individuals born during the Year of the Rabbit—the rabbit mask in the stamp art incorporates elements with symbolic meaning.

1. Format:

More Information

Expand all
  • In 2023, the U.S. Postal Service issues the fourth of 12 stamps in the latest Lunar New Year series. The Year of the Rabbit begins January 22, 2023, and ends on February 9, 2024.

    Utilizing red, pink, and purple as the predominant colors—said to be lucky colors for individuals born during the Year of the Rabbit—the rabbit mask in the stamp art incorporates elements with symbolic meaning. Several of the patterns were created with the style of Asian textiles in mind as well as green flowers that represent the arrival of spring, which Lunar New Year also signals in Chinese culture. The crescent shape in the center of the rabbit’s head references the lunar calendar on which Lunar New Year is based and the celestial themes of the Chinese zodiac.

    The rabbit is the fourth of the 12 zodiac animal signs associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. Many ancient fables and legends explain the origin of the zodiac signs. The most common story tells of the animals racing across a river to determine their order in the cycle. The rat crossed by riding on the back of the ox, jumping ahead at the last minute to win the race. Next came the ox, then the tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, and dog, followed by the boar in last place.

    As with other zodiac signs, personality traits and other attributes are often associated with people born in the year of a particular animal. Those born during the Year of the Rabbit may be seen as elegant, gracious, and kind. Pink, red, and purple are lucky colors for Rabbits, and plantain lilies may also bring good luck.

    Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays for many Asian communities around the world and is primarily celebrated by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Mongolian, Malaysian, and Filipino heritage. Across these varied cultures, many traditions exist for ringing in a new year of good luck and prosperity.

    Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp and pane with original art by Camille Chew.

    The Year of the Rabbit stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp in panes of 20. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price.

    Made in the USA.

  • Issue:Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit Stamp
    Item Number:482800
    Denomination &First-Class Mail Forever
    Type of Issue:
    Format:Pane of 20 (1 design)
    Series:Lunar New Year
    Issue Date & City:January 12, 2023, San Francisco, CA, 94188
    Art Director:Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
    Designer:Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
    Artist:Camille Chew, Providence, RI
    Modeler:Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
    Manufacturing Process:Offset, Foil Stamping, Flexographic, Microprint
    Printer:Banknote Corporation of America
    Press Type:Gallus RCS
    Stamps per Pane:20
    Print Quantity:22,000,000 stamps
    Paper Type:Phosphor, Block Tag
    Adhesive Type:Pressure-sensitive
    Colors:Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Pantone 7579 Orange, Pantone 7563 Light Brown, Gold Foil Luxor MTS 413, Teal Foil Luxor MHC 327
    Stamp Orientation:Vertical
    Image Area (w x h):0.84 x 1.42 in / 21.336 x 36.068 mm
    Overall Size (w x h):0.98 x 1.56 in / 24.892 x 39.624 mm
    Full Pane Size (w x h):7.25 x 8.50 in / 184.15 x 215.90 mm
    Press Sheets Size (w x h):14.50 x 19.50 in./368.30 x 495.30 mm
    Plate Size:80 stamps per revolution
    Plate Number:“B” followed by six (6) single digits in two corners
    Marginal Markings:
    Front:Header: Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit • Plate number in bottom two corners
    Back:©2022 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (482800) • Plate position diagram (4) • Promotional text

  • The Postal Store® ships all in-stock orders with USPS Tracking® service. Please allow 3-5 business days for in-stock items to be shipped with Standard Shipping, or 1-2 business days for in-stock orders to be shipped with Priority Mail Express® service.

    Pre- or Back-Ordered Items
    If your order contains pre- or back-ordered items, those items will ship separately when all pre- or back-ordered items are available.

    To view your order status and tracking information, sign in to your USPS.com® account, go to "Activity History", and select your order number.

    The Postal Store® does not accept orders for shipment outside the United States, but we do ship to APO/FPO/DPO addresses and U.S. territories.

    Stamp & Philatelic Orders
    All stamp and philatelic orders are charged a $1.85 handling fee on domestic orders up to $50.00, and $2.55 if the order is greater than $50.00. These fixed handling fees apply to only the portion of the order total that includes stamp and/or philatelic items.

    Retail Items
    A retail item is any product that does not include a stamp or a form of postage. If your order includes retail items, we will add a shipping charge to the order based on the weight of the retail items and the “ship to” ZIP Code™. All in-stock retail items will ship within 5–7 business days.

    Personalized Stamped Stationery
    All Personalized Stamped Stationery items are charged Priority Mail Flat Rate® pricing, depending on how many boxes are ordered, and should be shipped within 5–7 business days.

Back to Top