Domestic Rates For Letters And Postcards
Prior to the middle of the 19th century, rates were based on the number of sheets in a letter and the distance it was traveling. In 1845, rates were based on the weight of a letter and the distance it was going. Beginning in 1863, domestic letter rates became "uniform," that is, they were based solely on weight, regardless of distance.
Postage listed below is in cents.

Letters

Effective Date, Per 1/2 Ounce

March 3, 1863-3
March 3, 1883-2


Effective Date, Per Ounce
July 1, 1885-2
November 3, 1917-3
July 1, 1919-2
July 6, 1932-3
August 1, 1958-4
January 7, 1963-5
January 7, 1968-6
May 16, 1971-8
March 2, 1974-10


Effective Date,First Ounce,Each Additional Ounce
September 14, 1975-10, 9
December 31, 1975-13, 11
May 29, 1978-15, 13
March 22, 1981-18, 17
November 1, 1981-20, 17
February 17, 1985-22, 17
April 3, 1988-25, 20
February 3, 1991-29, 23

Postal cards (Postal Service Issued) and Postcards (Privately Manufactured)

Effective Date, Postal Cards, Postcards
May 1, 1873-1, --
July 1, 1898-1, 1
November 3, 1917-2, 2
July 1, 1919-1, 1
April 15, 1925-1, 2
July 1, 1928-1, 1
January 1, 1952-2, 2
August 1, 1958-3, 3
January 7, 1963-4, 4
January 7, 1968-5, 5
May 16, 1971-6, 6
March 2, 1974-8, 8
September 14, 1975-7, 7
December 31, 1975-9, 9
May 29, 1978-10, 10
March 22, 1981-12, 12
November 1, 1981-13, 13
February 17, 1985-14, 14
April 3, 1988-15, 15
February 3, 1991-19, 19