1989 US $2.40 Moon Landing Priority Mail (Scott #2419)

On July 20, 1989, exactly twenty years after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the surface of the Moon, the United States Postal Service issued one of the most visually striking stamps of the modern era. Scott #2419, the $2.40 Moon Landing Priority Mail stamp, depicts astronauts planting the American flag on the lunar surface against the stark backdrop of the Moon's gray landscape and the blackness of space. It was issued in Washington, D.C., on that historic anniversary date, and it carries a weight of significance that goes beyond its postal function.

This stamp is notable for several reasons: its high face value (the Priority Mail rate at the time), its connection to one of humanity's greatest achievements, and its status as a genuinely beautiful piece of miniature art. For collectors, it sits in an interesting middle ground, accessible enough that anyone can afford a nice copy, but with enough varieties and nuances to keep advanced philatelists engaged.

Historical Context

The Apollo 11 mission launched on July 16, 1969, and four days later, Neil Armstrong took his "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." The moon landing was arguably the defining achievement of the 20th century, a moment that united the world in wonder and proved what human beings could accomplish when resources, talent, and will aligned.

By 1989, the moon landing had taken on an almost mythic quality. The space shuttle program was in full swing, but no one had returned to the Moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972. The 20th anniversary provided the USPS with a perfect opportunity to honor the achievement with a stamp befitting its significance.

The $2.40 denomination was not arbitrary. This was the Priority Mail rate in 1989, which guaranteed two-to-three-day delivery for packages and oversized envelopes. Priority Mail stamps are physically larger than standard definitive stamps, giving the designer more canvas to work with. The result is a stamp that looks almost like a miniature poster, with rich colors and impressive detail.

Design and Production

The stamp was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing using intaglio and offset lithography, a combination that produces the fine detail and rich color saturation visible in the design. The image shows two astronauts on the lunar surface, one planting the American flag while the other stands nearby. The Earth is visible in the background, hanging in the black sky above the Moon's horizon.

The total print run was approximately 30,630,000 stamps, which is relatively modest for a US issue. However, because of its high face value, many of these stamps were actually used for postage rather than saved by collectors, meaning that truly mint, never-hinged examples are less common than the total print run might suggest.

Varieties and Collectible Forms

While Scott #2419 is a single stamp issue without the elaborate parallel structure of modern trading cards, there are several collectible forms:

Mint Single

The most basic collecting unit. A single stamp in mint, never-hinged condition with full original gum. This is what most collectors seek.

Plate Blocks

Blocks of four stamps from the corner of the sheet, showing the plate number in the margin. Plate blocks are a traditional collecting format and are worth more than four individual stamps.

First Day Covers (FDCs)

Envelopes bearing the stamp postmarked on July 20, 1989, in Washington, D.C. (the official first day city). First day covers come in many varieties:

• Cacheted FDCs: Envelopes with decorative designs (cachets) printed on the left side, often depicting scenes related to the moon landing. Various cachet makers produced designs for this stamp.

• Uncacheted FDCs: Plain envelopes with just the stamp and cancellation. Less common than cacheted versions and sometimes preferred by purist collectors.

Plate Number Coil Singles

Scott #2419 was not issued in coil format, so this does not apply to this stamp.

Used on Cover

Stamps that actually performed their postal duty on Priority Mail packages or envelopes. Contemporary commercial covers with this stamp are genuinely scarce because most Priority Mail items were discarded after receipt. A clean, well-postmarked example on a Priority Mail envelope is a nice piece of postal history.

Imperforate Errors

No confirmed imperforate examples of Scott #2419 are widely known, but as with any stamp, dramatic production errors would command substantial premiums.

Condition Grading

For modern US stamps (post-1960), the grading standards are somewhat different from classic issues because modern printing and perforating technology produces more consistently high-quality stamps:

• Superb (98): Perfect centering, immaculate gum, pristine condition in every respect.

• Extremely Fine (95): Nearly perfect centering with equally wide margins on all sides. Full, undisturbed original gum.

• Very Fine (85): Well-centered with margins noticeably wider on one side. The standard "nice" modern stamp.

• Fine-Very Fine (80): Slightly off-center but well within the design area.

• Fine (70): Perforations clear the design on all sides but centering is noticeably off.

For modern stamps, the PSE (Professional Stamp Expertizing) grading service provides numerical grades that are increasingly used in the marketplace. A stamp graded PSE 98 will command a significant premium over an ungraded mint stamp.

Current Market Values

Form	Estimated Value Range
Mint single, NH	$5 - $10
Mint single, NH, PSE graded 95+	$20 - $50
Mint single, NH, PSE graded 98	$75 - $150
Plate block of 4, NH	$20 - $35
First Day Cover (common cachet)	$3 - $8
First Day Cover (premium cachet maker)	$10 - $25
Used single, clean cancel	$1 - $3
Used on commercial Priority Mail cover	$15 - $40
Full mint sheet	$100 - $200

Note: Face value alone is $2.40, so any mint stamp is worth at least that much for postage use. The collecting premium above face value is modest for standard examples but increases significantly for superb graded copies.

The Space Stamp Collecting Niche

Scott #2419 exists within a broader collecting specialty known as "astrophilately" or space topical collecting. Collectors in this niche pursue stamps from around the world that depict space exploration, astronauts, rockets, and celestial bodies. The US Moon Landing stamp is a cornerstone of any astrophilately collection.

Other related US issues that pair well with Scott #2419 include:

• The 1969 First Man on the Moon stamp (Scott #C76), the original commemorative issued just weeks after the landing

• The $9.35 Eagle and Moon Express Mail stamp (Scott #1909)

• The 1994 $9.95 Moon Landing 25th Anniversary Priority Mail stamp (Scott #2842)

• The 2019 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing Forever stamps

Building a focused collection around the moon landing theme can be deeply rewarding and surprisingly affordable, with this $2.40 stamp serving as a natural centerpiece.

What to Look for When Buying

1. Centering matters even on modern stamps: Don't assume all modern stamps are perfectly centered. Examine the margins on all four sides. Better centering means better value.

2. Gum condition: For mint stamps, look for full, undisturbed original gum with no disturbances, bends, or fingerprints. "Mint never hinged" means exactly that.

3. Color freshness: The deep blues and blacks of this design should be rich and saturated. Stamps exposed to prolonged light can fade.

4. Face value floor: Remember that any mint US stamp can be used for postage at its face value. This provides a natural price floor for the stamp.

5. Buy plate blocks from intact margins: The selvage (margin paper) should be clean and unfolded. Plate numbers should be clear and legible.

6. FDC cachet quality varies widely: If collecting first day covers, research the cachet makers. Some (like Artcraft, Fleetwood, or Colorano) are more established than others. Hand-painted or limited-edition cachets can command premiums.

7. Consider the stamp's dual appeal: This stamp attracts both philatelists and space memorabilia collectors. That crossover appeal supports long-term value.

The 1989 Moon Landing Priority Mail stamp is a wonderful example of how a relatively modern, affordable stamp can carry enormous historical and emotional weight. It commemorates humanity's greatest adventure in a format that fits in the palm of your hand, and at current prices, there's no reason not to add one to your collection.

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