Types of Stamps: Semi-Postal Issues

Semi-Postal issues are stamps that have been surcharged, overprinted or inscribed with an extra charge in addition to the postage fee in order to obtain funds for various charities. Semi-postal stamps have also been used to raise taxes. The United States has issued only 2 semi-postal stamps The Heroes of 2001 to raise funds for victims of the 9/11 attack and the Breast Cancer Awareness issue of 1996.

Semi-postal issues are more common in European countries and this stamp issued in 1918 from the Republic of France raises funds for the Red Cross.

Example of an overprinted semi-postal stamp: This regular issue from Sweden has been overprinted for use as a semi-postal.