2019 Coral Reefs Stamps
2019 Coral Reefs (Sheet Stamps)
• Four stamp designs picturing different species of coral and aquatic animals that call reefs home
Stamp Category: Definitive
Value: Postcard Rate
First Day of Issue: March 29, 2019
First Day City: St. Louis, Missouri
Quantity Issued: 125,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Why the stamps were issued: To cover the postcard rate and celebrate the beauty and diversity of coral reefs.
About the stamp designs: Picture stylized artwork by Tyler Lang of assorted fish with elkhorn, brain, staghorn, and pillar coral.
First Day City: First Day of Issue Ceremony held at the St. Louis Stamp Expo (March 29-31) in St. Louis, Missouri.
History the stamp represents: Coral reefs are home to over 4,000 species of marine life. Due to their diversity, they are often called the “rainforests of the sea.” However, in recent decades, coral reefs have suffered a major decline, leading to a search for new ways to preserve them.
About half of 2,500 species of coral around the world are the hard coral that make up reefs. A number of threats have led to their decline, including predators. Crown-of-thorns sea stars can swarm reefs and kill massive amounts of coral in less than a year. Seaweed is also a threat because it grows quickly and has a chemical that is harmful to coral. Other threats include overfishing, pollution, harvesting of coral, and soil erosion. But the greatest threats to coral are rising water temperatures and ocean acidification. Both of these are linked to rising carbon dioxide levels, created by the burning of fossil fuels. High water temperatures can kill the tiny algae that provide coral with much of its nutrients, leading to bleaching. Higher levels of acid make it difficult for coral to build the calcium carbonate skeletons that form the rocky parts of the reefs.
To prevent further destruction, scientists urge a reduction in the burning of fossil fuels. In the meantime, marine protected areas, biosphere reserves, marine parks, and world heritage sites are doing their parts to preserve these beautiful underwater communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How it works?
A Forever® stamp is for sending domestic mail weighing up to 1 oz via First-Class Mail®.
Purpose: Send letters and cards up to 1 oz (approximately 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope)
within the U.S., including U.S. territories and military bases overseas.
Value: Always valid for the First-Class Mail 1 oz rate, even if postage rates increase. Visit First-Class Mail and Postage to view
current rates.
Other Uses: Pair this stamp’s value with other postage to meet mailing costs when additional postage is required.
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail.
Why is "FOREVER" crossed out in the image?
So the lines in your picture:
- It does not mean that the stamp has expired;
- It does not mean that you cannot continue to use it;
- Nor a postmark;
- It's just an artificial anti-copying line added to the display image.
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
What are the common types of stamps, and how do they differ?
- Forever Stamp: Valid for standard domestic letters within the U.S. These stamps typically do not bear a fixed face value; they remain valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter at the current rate, even if postage prices increase in the future.
- Global Forever Stamp: Primarily used for standard international letters or postcards sent from the U.S. to other countries. The main difference between this and a standard Forever Stamp lies in its scope of use and postage value.
- Postcard Stamp: Designed specifically for domestic postcards that meet USPS size standards; the postage rate is typically lower than that for standard letters.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: Used to cover the cost of weight exceeding the first ounce; these are usually used in conjunction with a Forever Stamp or other stamps.
- Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce Stamps: Suitable for heavier letters, greeting cards, wedding invitations, or multi-page documents, eliminating the need to combine multiple stamps to cover the required postage.
- Fixed-Value Stamps: These stamps display a specific monetary value (e.g., 1¢, 5¢, or other amounts) and are primarily used to make up postage differences or in combination with other stamps.
- Commemorative and Thematic Stamps: Typically issued to mark historical events, cultural or artistic themes, holidays, notable figures, animals, or natural landscapes. While suitable for regular mail, these stamps are also popular among collectors due to their unique designs and limited release periods.
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
Why choose StampResale.com?
- At StampResale, you will find a diverse range of U.S. stamps—including classic Forever Stamps, holiday-themed issues, commemorative stamps, and specialty collections—catering to needs ranging from everyday mailing and gift-giving to serious collecting.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
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