Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit Forever Stamps

Value:? 66?? First-class mail rate, Forever
First Day of Issue:??January 12, 2023
First Day City:??San Francisco, California
Printed by:??Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method:??Offset, Foil Stamping, Flexographic, Microprint
Format:??Pane of 20

Stamp Purpose: Commemorates the fourth animal in the Chinese Zodiac, the rabbit, as part of the Lunar New Year series.

Design: Created by artist Camille Chew, the design resembles elaborately decorated masks used in Lunar New Year dragon or lion dances. Foil stamping highlights details for a three-dimensional effect.

First Day City: Issued in San Francisco, California, with the First Day of Issue Ceremony at the Asian Art Museum.

Lunar New Year Series: Features paper-cut masks of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac, following the cycle of rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat/ram/sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

History Represented: In the Chinese zodiac, the rabbit is the fourth animal. The Year of the Rabbit began on January 22, 2023. According to Chinese myth, the rabbit was boastful and arrogant, leading to a lesson about humility. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are considered hardworking, ambitious, kind, charismatic, and creative, often finding success in art, music, architecture, and literature.