US #5554
2021 Castillo de San Marcos – Priority Mail
American Landmarks Series
• Part of the American Landmarks series of stamps, it pictures the famous Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida
Stamp Category: Definitive
Series: American Landmarks
Value: $7.95 Priority Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: January 24, 2021<... more
US #5554
2021 Castillo de San Marcos – Priority Mail
American Landmarks Series
• Part of the American Landmarks series of stamps, it pictures the famous Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida
Stamp Category: Definitive
Series: American Landmarks
Value: $7.95 Priority Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: January 24, 2021
First Day City: St. Augustine, Florida
Quantity Issued: 5,500,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Panes of 4
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Why the stamp was issued: To cover the priority mail rate and honor the beautiful and historic Castillo de San Marcos.
About the stamp design: Pictures a digital illustration of Castillo de San Marcos based on a modern photograph. Original art by Dan Cosgrove.
First Day City: There was no First Day of Issue Ceremony due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The First Day of Issue Cancellation was from St. Augustine, Florida, the site of Castillo de San Marcos.
About the American Landmarks Series: The American Landmarks Series of Priority and Express Mail stamps began with the issue of the $4.80 Mount Rushmore (US #4268) and $16.50 Hoover Dam (US #4269) stamps in 2008. Since then, two new stamps have been released nearly every year (with a few exceptions). All picture vibrant images of some of the most iconic places in America created by digital artist Dan Cosgrove. Altogether, they resemble a virtual tour of America.
History the stamp represents: The Castillo de San Marcos (St. Mark’s Castle) is the continental United States’ oldest masonry fort. It was designed by Spanish engineer Ignacio Daza and built on the western side of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, Florida.
The Castillo de San Marcos was originally a Spanish fort, but came under British control in 1763. It was returned to Spain in 1783 before it was ceded to the United States in 1821 under the Adams-Onís Treaty. At that time, the US renamed the structure Fort Marion and turned it into an army base. The fort was declared a national monument in 1924. After over 250 years of military service, the site was deactivated in 1933. In 1942, it was officially renamed Castillo de San Marcos.
Since being declared a national monument and being placed under the administration of the National Parks Service, the Castillo de San Marcos has become quite popular with the public. It is known for its masonry star shape and unusual coquina walls made of countless tiny shells held together by a special type of mineral. This unique building material was taken from the “King’s Quarry” on Anastasia Island across the bay from the Castillo.
It took 23 years to build the Castillo de San Marco, and it has stood for over 325 years. It has become an enduring symbol of Spain’s part in US history.
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