A definitive stamp is a postage stamp that is part of the regular issue of a country's stamps, available for sale by the post office for an extended period of time[1][2] and designed to serve the everyday postal needs of the country. The term is used in contrast to a "provisional stamp", one that is issued for a temporary period until regular stamps are available, or a "commemorative stamp", a stamp "issued to honor a person or mark a special event" available only for a limited time.[3] Commonly, a definitive issue or series includes stamps in a range of denominations sufficient to cover current postal rates. An "issue" generally means a set that is put on sale all at the same time, while a "series" is spread out over several years, but the terms are not precise. Additional stamps in a series may be produced as needed by changes in postal rates; nevertheless some values may be permanently available, regardless of prevailing rates; examples include 1c or 1p and $1 or £1.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary 1993 Additions, entry for "definitive."
- ^ Carlton, R. Scott (1997). The International Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Philately. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 64. ISBN 0-87341-448-9.
- ^ Carlton, R. Scott (1997). The International Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Philately. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 55–56. ISBN 0-87341-448-9.