[Dx-qsl] IRC Expiration

[Steven Wheatley KU9C]

Steve,

I don't recall the process back in 1975 (wasn't a QSL manager then....HI)...but there was a grace period announced for the old IRCs, after which they became invalid for postage exchange.  You can still return the US issued ones, today to the issuign post office (or in theory any USPO) for redemption...but they're worth a lot more on eBay. 

I think the redemption period was a year or so...as I recall.  My guess is we'll see that sometime in the future with the current old IRCs, with the new design.  What I wonder with the new design, is how often will they change the printing plates to up the date.  They're 5 years now...actually 4 years 9 months...but that's the point, they're like an option, with a time value.  I've not seen anything on that issue....but I suspect this will allow them to keep the current design without having 'old' ones being redeemed.  FOr example, the 1975 ones, which I think were initially 26 cents, can still be exchanged today for a surface stamp ....which is likely more than 26 cents in most countries, although back in 1975, that wasnt the case.  

Personally, I'm holding most of my 'non-marked and surface' ircs, and waiting for the postage increase.  If the next one is anything like the last, it should be a good return (60-80cents....33% gain!)

73
Steve

--------------------------- 
Steve Wheatley KU9C 
PO Box 5953 
Parsippany NJ  07054-6953 
U.S.A. 

email:  ku9c@ku9c.com 
http://www.ku9c.com/



---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Steve Litwins" <litwins@badsector.com>
Reply-To: dx-qsl@mailman.qth.net
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 13:56:14 -0600

>Hi Steve;
>Another point re IRCs expiring.  An IRC is kinda like the USPS 'legal
>tender'...used to exchange for goods and services etc.  Just like the dollar
>is the USA legal tender (doesn't expire...hopefully).  Using a date criteria
>to cancel the validity of an IRC is just like saying...your dollar is no
>good after such and such a date.  I would rather think they would collect
>all the old issue IRCs until a reasonable time, and then publicly ask that
>the old ones be redeemed for stamps or new IRCs.  This would prevent a
>person who has a large stock of old IRCs from loosing his investment in
>'legal tender'.   73/dx
>steve, k8wk
>***************
>