# 5400 - 2019 First-Class Forever Stamp - First Moon Landing: The Moon

US #5400
2019 Moon – First Moon Landing

• Pictures astronaut the Moon and Apollo 11 landing site in the Sea of Tranquility
• One of two stamps issued in honor of the 50th anniversary of the First Moon Landing – the first US stamps printed on chrome paper

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Set:  First Moon Landing
Value:  55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue:  July 19, 2019
First Day City:  Cape Canaveral, Florida
Quantity Issued:  60,000,000
Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method:  Offset
Format:  Panes of 24
Tagging:  Phosphor Tagged Overall

Why the stamp was issued:  To celebrate the astronauts who made history in 1969 during the First Moon Landing.

About the stamp design:  Pictures a photograph of the Moon taken in 2010 by Gregory H. Revera. A dot has been added to indicate the landing site of the lunar module in the Sea of Tranquility.

First Day City:  The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

About the First Moon Landing set:  In 2019, the USPS issued two stamps in honor of the 50th anniversary of the First Moon Landing on July 20, 1969. One stamp pictures astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the Moon’s surface (taken by Neil Armstrong) and a view of the Moon with the Apollo 11 landing site in the Sea of Tranquility. Many other countries around the world also issued stamps for the 50th anniversary in 2019.

History the stamp represents:  Neil Armstrong made history when he stepped out onto the Moon’s surface on July 21, 1969. Joined shortly after by Buzz Aldrin, the astronauts had several tasks to carry out in the little over two hours they had on the Moon’s surface.

One of the Apollo 11 crew’s primary tasks was collecting soil and rock samples. In all, they collected about 50 pounds of rocks and 13 pounds of soil. Upon returning the rocks to Earth, it was discovered that they had found three new minerals, one of which was named after the three Apollo 11 astronauts (Armalcolite).

Armstrong and Aldrin then positioned a device to measure the contents of the solar wind that blew across the Moon. They also set up equipment to reflect laser beams from Earth, to help determine the exact distance between the Earth and the Moon. Finally, they placed a passive seismometer to measure moonquakes and meteor crashes. The most challenging of their tasks was planting the flag, because of the hard rock surface.

While Armstrong and Aldrin carried out their tasks, Michael Collins orbited the Moon. He performed maintenance work and prepared for their return. They were reunited on July 21 and splashed down in the Pacific on July 24. Upon their return, President Nixon greeted them, saying “As a result of what you’ve done, the work has never been closer together before.”