Canada Post has begun selling permanent stamps marked with a "P" instead of a denomination that will retain their value despite price increases.

The permanent stamps went on sale Thursday for 51 cents, the current domestic rate for letter mail.

The new stamps have no numerical value printed on them.
(CBC)

The new stamps will continue to be accepted when Canada Post bumps up its rate to 52 cents on Jan. 15, 2007.

The stamps have no numerical value on them. Instead, they feature the letter "P" for "permanent" inside a red maple leaf.

51¢ stamps can be used after price increases

The new stamps will largely eliminate the need for people to buy penny stamps to meet price increases.

In 2005, Canada Post printed 60 million one-cent stamps. Officials said the Crown corporation plans on printing significantly fewer over the coming year.

Canadians will be able to use old 51-cent stamps in 2007 as Canada Post said it will accept the old stamps at the 52-cent rate, even after the January increase, as the new stamps are slowly phased into the marketplace.

Canada is the latest country to introduce stamps that retain their value, joining Britain, Finland, Israel, Belgium, France, Norway, Monaco and Sweden.