Coral Reefs Stamps (Postcard Stamp)

Celebrate the beauty and wonder of coral reefs with four new postcard stamps from the U.S. Postal Service®.

Coral Reefs are the subject of four new postcard stamps that celebrate the beauty and wonder of coral reefs. Featuring highly stylized digital portraits. the stamp art depicts four types of stony corals with associated reef fish: elkhorn coral. shown with two French angelfish; brain coral. with a spotted moray eel; staghorn coral. with blue-striped grunts; pillar coral. with a coney grouper and neon gobies.

Coral reefs are formed over thousands of years mainly by colonies of animals called polyps. Polyps make stony corals. the foundation for most coral reefs. by secreting protective skeletons of calcium carbonate. or limestone. As these limestone skeletons accumulate over time – with new colonies of polyps growing on top of the skeletons of older ones – they build up the base of coral reefs.

Coral reefs are one of the world’s most marvelous ecosystems. sheltering and sustaining about a quarter of all ocean species. Anyone who has snorkeled in tropical environments has witnessed the sea come alive when approaching a coral reef. Suddenly an abundance of fish of all types and colors appear. along with a variety of other animals and plants. including sea urchins. seagrass. octopuses. and lobsters.

The Postal Service has revealed a black pictorial first-day cancellation for the new Coral Reefs stamps. The postmark includes the phrase “Coral Reefs” in large letters across the bottom. with a silhouette of a sea plant growing out from between the two words.

Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps. Tyler Lang created the stamp art.

The word POSTCARD on the stamps indicates their usage value. Like a Forever® stamp. these stamps will always be valid for the rate printed on them.

Please NOTE these are self-adhesive POSTCARD stamps. You will need to use TWO of these stamps to mail a standard. 1-ounce letter. pay a bill by mail. etc. It will take ONE stamp to mail a postcard.

These stamps will be good forever for the POSTCARD rate. which is lower than the First Class rate even if the postcard rate is increased in the future.

If you use ONE stamp to mail a standard 1-ounce letter. there is a chance the post office will RETURN your mail undelivered. Please use TWO of these stamps to mail a standard. 1-ounce letter.

Shipping Info

The Forever Stamp Store® ships all in-stock orders with First-Class Mail Tracking® service. Please allow 4-6 business days (preparation time not included) for in-stock items to be shipped with Default Shipping or 1-2 business days for in-stock orders to be shipped with Priority Mail Express® service.

It normally takes 1 business day for us to process your order. Forever Stamp Store® products are all new. and products are rigorously inspected before being shipped. If there is any damage during the shipping process. please contact us promptly for replacement.