# 5713i - 2022 First-Class Forever Stamp - National Marine Sanctuaries: Queen Angelfish
US #5713i
2022 Queen Angelfish – National Marine Sanctuaries
- Pictures a queen angelfish, one of many creatures protected by America’s National Marine Sanctuaries
- One of 16 stamps in the National Marine Sanctuaries set
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: National Marine Sanctuaries
Value: 60¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 5, 2022
First Day City: Santa Cruz, California
Quantity Issued: 38,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 16
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph of a queen angelfish taken in one of America’s National Marine Sanctuaries.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, California.
About the National Marine Sanctuaries set: A set of 16 mint stamps picturing photographs from America’s National Marine Sanctuary System. These stamps were issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System and the many creatures and historic relics protected by it.
History the stamp represents: Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is located off the coast of Georgia and encompasses 22 square miles. It is not considered a coral reef like those in the tropics as it was not built by living hard corals. Gray’s Reef was formed by the cementing of marine and other sediments (shell fragments, sand, and mud) millions of years ago. The stone that makes up the reef is known as carbonate-cemented sandstone.
The rocky surface of Gray’s Reef is home to many different invertebrates. These include sea squirts, sponges, barnacles, and hard-tubed worms. There are also fish, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, snails, sea stars, soft corals, and hard corals that all call the reef home. Since Gray’s Reef is located on the edge of temperate and tropical waters, fish populations vary from season to season. One especially interesting fish found near Gray’s Reef is the queen angelfish. These fish are multicolored with yellows, greens, bright blues, and sometimes even oranges present in a single individual. They are also known to hybridize with other angelfish species and produce even more color variations.
With the wide range of animals found within Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, it is a popular dive location. Safety regulations ensure divers and boat operators respect the reef and allow it to be enjoyed by others for many years to come.
US #5713i
2022 Queen Angelfish – National Marine Sanctuaries
- Pictures a queen angelfish, one of many creatures protected by America’s National Marine Sanctuaries
- One of 16 stamps in the National Marine Sanctuaries set
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: National Marine Sanctuaries
Value: 60¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 5, 2022
First Day City: Santa Cruz, California
Quantity Issued: 38,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 16
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph of a queen angelfish taken in one of America’s National Marine Sanctuaries.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, California.
About the National Marine Sanctuaries set: A set of 16 mint stamps picturing photographs from America’s National Marine Sanctuary System. These stamps were issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System and the many creatures and historic relics protected by it.
History the stamp represents: Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is located off the coast of Georgia and encompasses 22 square miles. It is not considered a coral reef like those in the tropics as it was not built by living hard corals. Gray’s Reef was formed by the cementing of marine and other sediments (shell fragments, sand, and mud) millions of years ago. The stone that makes up the reef is known as carbonate-cemented sandstone.
The rocky surface of Gray’s Reef is home to many different invertebrates. These include sea squirts, sponges, barnacles, and hard-tubed worms. There are also fish, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, snails, sea stars, soft corals, and hard corals that all call the reef home. Since Gray’s Reef is located on the edge of temperate and tropical waters, fish populations vary from season to season. One especially interesting fish found near Gray’s Reef is the queen angelfish. These fish are multicolored with yellows, greens, bright blues, and sometimes even oranges present in a single individual. They are also known to hybridize with other angelfish species and produce even more color variations.
With the wide range of animals found within Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, it is a popular dive location. Safety regulations ensure divers and boat operators respect the reef and allow it to be enjoyed by others for many years to come.