2017 Sharks Forever Stamps
2017 Sharks
• Issued in the middle of Discovery channel’s famous Shark Week television special (held July 23-30 in 2017)
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: July 26, 2017
First Day City: Newport, Kentucky
Quantity Issued: 40,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block Tag
Why the stamps were issued: To commemorate five species of shark that call our oceans home.
About the stamp designs: Each stamp pictures a different species of shark on an ocean-blue background: shortfin mako, whale, pelagic thresher, scalloped hammerhead, and great white. Original artwork by Sam Weber.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Newport, Kentucky, home to Newport Aquarium and its “Shark Central” exhibit.
History the stamp represents: Sharks are one of the most important parts of the ocean’s ecosystem. But overfishing, finning, and other human activities have led to a drastic decrease in numbers. Many species are now at risk of extinction and conservationists are urging people worldwide to help protect these extraordinary creatures.
Two of the leading organizations in the fight for sharks are Discovery Channel and OCEARCH. In 1988, Discovery created a yearly television special called “Shark Week” to promote conservation and help address common misconceptions about sharks. New shows are featured annually and the special is an unbelievable success, becoming the longest-running television event in history. OCEARCH, on the other hand, focuses on field work collecting data on different sharks. They have held expeditions in Cape Cod, Australia, South Africa, and more. In each location, they capture sharks, tag them with satellite trackers, and collect samples for research. They also created a shark tracker allowing the public to follow each shark’s position in real time. Some sharks even have social media profiles that update with each new location. Thanks to groups like Discovery and OCEARCH, people understand more about sharks and are much less fearful of them.
In 2017, the US Postal Service released five shark stamps during Discovery’s Shark Week. All five species pictured on the stamps (shortfin mako, whale, pelagic thresher, scalloped hammerhead, and great white) are vulnerable to extinction. But as more people devote themselves to protecting sharks, population declines are beginning to slow down. While there is still a long way to go, if trends continue, these amazing creatures will be around for many years to come.
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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