The 2020 Arnold Palmer stamp is an ordinary First-Class Mail Forever stamp. A genuine, unused example remains valid for the current one-ounce domestic stamped-letter rate, which is $0.82 as of September 2026.
Arnold Palmer Stamp Facts
| Official issue | Arnold Palmer |
|---|---|
| Postage type | First-Class Mail Forever |
| Issue date | March 4, 2020 |
| First-day city | Orlando, Florida |
| Format | Pressure-sensitive pane of 20 |
| Designs | One |
| USPS item number | 475900 |
| Print quantity | 25 million stamps |
What the Design Shows
The stamp uses James Drake’s action photograph of Arnold Palmer at the 1964 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Palmer’s name appears at the upper left, while “Forever” and “USA” run along the lower part of the left edge. Antonio Alcalá designed and art-directed the issue.
Why USPS Honored Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer (1929–2016) helped turn professional golf into a mass-audience sport. His record included seven major championships, 62 PGA Tour victories and 92 tournament wins worldwide. His energetic late-round play became known as the “Palmer Charge,” while his fans were widely called “Arnie’s Army.”
The design focuses on Palmer as a competitor rather than using a posed portrait, tying the tribute directly to the performance and public appeal for which he was known.
Is the Stamp Still Valid?
Yes, provided it is genuine, unused and undamaged. As an ordinary Forever issue, one stamp covers an eligible domestic one-ounce First-Class Mail letter at the current stamped-letter rate. Extra weight, square or rigid envelopes, international destinations and added services can require more postage.
Pane and Identification Checks
- The original USPS format was one pane of 20 stamps, not a booklet or coil.
- The issue contains one vertical design using the 1964 U.S. Open action photograph.
- The official item number is 475900.
- The pane header identifies Arnold Palmer as a professional golfer.
- USPS records offset printing with microprint; a visible feature alone is not a complete authenticity test.
Collecting and Buying
Postal value and collector value are different. Every genuine unused stamp has current ordinary Forever mailing value, while a collector premium depends on condition, pane integrity, plate markings, cancellations and verifiable demand. A seller’s asking price is not proof of market value.
SaleForeverStamps does not currently list this exact issue. For sports-related designs that are available, check the live Sports stamp collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Arnold Palmer stamps Forever stamps?
Yes. USPS issued the Arnold Palmer stamp as First-Class Mail Forever postage in 2020.
How many stamps were in the original pane?
The original pressure-sensitive pane contained 20 identical stamps.
Which photograph appears on the stamp?
It uses James Drake’s photograph of Palmer at the 1964 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club.
Can an unused 2020 stamp still mail a letter?
Yes. One genuine unused stamp covers the current stamped one-ounce domestic letter rate when the mailpiece otherwise qualifies.
Sources: USPS Stamp Announcement 20-09; USPS Arnold Palmer issue release; USPS Notice 123, current prices. Issue facts and postal value checked September 1, 2026.