# 5366 - 2019 35c Coral Reefs: Staghorn Coral
US #5366
2019 Staghorn Coral – Coral Reefs (Sheet Stamp)
• One of four stamp designs picturing different species of coral and aquatic animals that call reefs home
Stamp Category: Definitive
Set: Coral Reefs
Value: 35¢ 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 stamp was issued: To cover the postcard rate and celebrate the beauty and diversity of coral reefs.
About the stamp designs: Pictures stylized artwork by Tyler Lang of two bluestriped grunts with staghorn coral.
First Day City: First Day of Issue Ceremony held at the St. Louis Stamp Expo (March 29-31) in St. Louis, Missouri.
About the Coral Reefs set: Four stamps picturing stylized artwork by Tyler Lang of assorted fish with elkhorn, brain, staghorn, and pillar coral. Raises awareness for the plight of coral reef ecosystems across the globe due to climate change and human disturbances.
History the stamp represents: Staghorn coral are fast growers, making them some of the world’s greatest reef builders. Many scientists credit the staghorn as one of the leading coral that built up the Caribbean coral reefs over the last 5,000 years.
The average staghorn coral can grow up to eight inches in branch length per year – reaching sizes of eight feet in diameter and four feet in height. Their lighter skeletons allow them to grow at this rate. Staghorn coral use this to their advantage so that they can receive more space and sunlight compared to neighboring coral on the reef.
There are nearly 400 species of staghorn coral. Some have the distinctive antler-like shape that give them their name. There are also species of staghorn coral that form into delicate plates up to 10 feet across. Some also form bush-shaped structures with finger-like branches. Regardless of the different species, staghorn coral will grow together in colonies. They form dense groups known as “thickets” that provide an essential habitat for marine life, including a variety of fish.
Staghorn coral were once abundant, but disease and climate change have taken a toll. The coral are now considered critically endangered. However, scientists are optimistic that the staghorn coral’s ability to grow quickly will help it to recover its numbers over time.
US #5366
2019 Staghorn Coral – Coral Reefs (Sheet Stamp)
• One of four stamp designs picturing different species of coral and aquatic animals that call reefs home
Stamp Category: Definitive
Set: Coral Reefs
Value: 35¢ 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 stamp was issued: To cover the postcard rate and celebrate the beauty and diversity of coral reefs.
About the stamp designs: Pictures stylized artwork by Tyler Lang of two bluestriped grunts with staghorn coral.
First Day City: First Day of Issue Ceremony held at the St. Louis Stamp Expo (March 29-31) in St. Louis, Missouri.
About the Coral Reefs set: Four stamps picturing stylized artwork by Tyler Lang of assorted fish with elkhorn, brain, staghorn, and pillar coral. Raises awareness for the plight of coral reef ecosystems across the globe due to climate change and human disturbances.
History the stamp represents: Staghorn coral are fast growers, making them some of the world’s greatest reef builders. Many scientists credit the staghorn as one of the leading coral that built up the Caribbean coral reefs over the last 5,000 years.
The average staghorn coral can grow up to eight inches in branch length per year – reaching sizes of eight feet in diameter and four feet in height. Their lighter skeletons allow them to grow at this rate. Staghorn coral use this to their advantage so that they can receive more space and sunlight compared to neighboring coral on the reef.
There are nearly 400 species of staghorn coral. Some have the distinctive antler-like shape that give them their name. There are also species of staghorn coral that form into delicate plates up to 10 feet across. Some also form bush-shaped structures with finger-like branches. Regardless of the different species, staghorn coral will grow together in colonies. They form dense groups known as “thickets” that provide an essential habitat for marine life, including a variety of fish.
Staghorn coral were once abundant, but disease and climate change have taken a toll. The coral are now considered critically endangered. However, scientists are optimistic that the staghorn coral’s ability to grow quickly will help it to recover its numbers over time.