The 2017 Sharks Forever Stamps present five shark species found in American waters. Sam Weber’s realistic illustrations place each animal against deepening blue ocean backgrounds, while the complete pane repeats the great white image in the upper selvage.
What you receive
- 100 genuine USPS-issued Forever stamps
- 5 intact panes of 20
- Five horizontal shark designs
- Four of each design per pane
- Self-adhesive First-Class Mail postage
The five species
| Stamp label | Species shown |
|---|---|
| Mako shark | Shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) |
| Whale shark | Rhincodon typus |
| Thresher shark | Pelagic thresher (Alopias pelagicus) |
| Hammerhead shark | Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) |
| Great white shark | Carcharodon carcharias |
The set avoids generic shark silhouettes: each stamp names its subject and shows a recognizable body profile. The whale shark is the largest fish, while the thresher is immediately distinguished by its long upper tail lobe.
Official issue specifications
- Issue date: July 26, 2017
- First-day city: Newport, Kentucky
- Original price: 49 cents per stamp
- Format: pressure-sensitive pane of 20
- USPS item number: 474500
- Overall size: 1.56 × 0.98 inches
- Designer and art director: Derry Noyes
- Artist: Sam Weber
Are the 2017 shark stamps still valid?
Yes. Every unused Sharks stamp remains valid for the current one-ounce First-Class Mail letter rate because it is a Forever stamp. The original 49-cent price does not limit its present postal value. Heavier, oversized, square, rigid, or nonmachinable mail can require additional postage.
Good uses and storage
The designs suit classroom mail, aquarium and marine-science correspondence, birthday invitations, conservation outreach, and animal-themed collections. Keep panes flat, dry, and out of direct sunlight so the adhesive and ocean colors remain in good condition.
Official USPS references
The USPS Postal Bulletin documents the five species, artwork, format, dimensions, and production details. The USPS release report adds biological context for the animals shown.
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