The U.S. Postal Service dedicated the American Bison stamp May 25, 2026, at the 2026 Boston World Exposition as part of the event's stamp collector's theme day.

The stamp honors the American bison — also commonly called the buffalo — as the national mammal of the United States. The issuance comes as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary.

"For the Boston 2026 World Exposition we wanted to give a nod to the philately community by dedicating the American Bison stamp here. The design of a stamp within a stamp creates a fascinating, puzzle-like experience that blends history, artistry, and the thrill of the hunt. We thought the World Expo would be the perfect place to unveil this unique stamp. This is especially meaningful because of the role the bison has played as an American icon, as we prepare to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary. Our stamps have always done more than carry mail. They reflect who we are. They preserve moments in our shared history. And they connect people to stories larger than themselves," said Lisa Bobb-Semple, director of Stamps for the Postal Service.

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Dr. Maureen Murray, veterinarian and director of Tufts Wildlife Clinic at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, spoke at the ceremony alongside Bobb-Semple.

"In addition to reflecting the historical and cultural significance of the bison, the American bison stamp highlights the importance of collaborative conservation programs in protecting our native wildlife and ecosystems," Murray said. "I appreciated the opportunity to speak at yesterday's ceremony, and I hope the issuance of this stamp will inspire people to learn more about the roles wildlife around them play in their local ecosystems."

James Weigant, a collections assistant at the Osage Nation Museum, also spoke at the ceremony.

"As a stamp collector who primarily specializes in the Fourth Bureau Issues, this American Bison stamp is a new take on a classic. As a member of the Osage Nation, it is my privilege to speak at this ceremony, to honor this animal we hold sacred, in fitting tribute," Weigant said.

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The Fourth Bureau Issues refers to stamps produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing between 1922 and 1930. Art director Greg Breeding adapted the engraved artwork of the vintage 30-cent 1923 American Buffalo stamp — originally designed by Clair Aubrey Huston, with a vignette engraved by Louis Schofield and frame engraved by Edward M. Hall and Joachim C. Benzing — to reflect today's Forever rate. Breeding paired that inset with a contemporary photograph of a bull bison at Yellowstone National Park taken by Tom Murphy. The 16-stamp pane is designed so that prairie grass flows in a continuous pattern across each row.

The bison's history is deeply tied to American heritage. For millennia, Native Great Plains peoples depended on the buffalo for clothing, shelter, and tools. As settlers moved westward through the 1800s, millions of buffalo were reduced to hundreds. Since the early 20th century, Tribal Nations, federal and state governments, private individuals, and non-governmental organizations have worked to replenish herds at parks and refuges, most notably Yellowstone National Park.

The American Bison stamp is a Forever stamp, always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate. Stamps may be purchased at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic at stampsforever.com, or at Post Office locations nationwide.