U.S. 2017 Sports Balls stamps popular with sports topical collectors

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

Americans tend to be a very sports-minded people, with those who are past the time of life of direct participation still enjoying their favorite sports as spectators. In hockey, the Florida Panthers just clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup. We are presently in the midst of Major League Baseball season. And the National Football League season kicks off in September. In 2026, the championship match of the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament will be held in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The 2028 Summer Olympic Games are planned in Los Angeles, Calif.

On June 14, 2017, the U.S. Postal Service issued a set of eight nondenominated (49¢) Sports Balls stamps (Scott 5210a). The round stamps were printed in press sheets of 128 divided into eight panes of 16 for distribution and sale. They were printed by lithography and typography and have serpentine die cuts (because the stamps are round, the gauge of the die cuts can’t be measured by traditional means). The typographed printing simulates the texture of the ball shown in the design. The stamps were designed by Greg Breeding and printed by Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. Full uncut press sheets were sold to the public.

Mint panes of se-tenant (side-by-side) nondenominated forever stamps remain the most active segment of the stamp market for fairly recent stamps. The Sports Balls issue is no exception. The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values the mint pane of 16 at $24, against a current postage value of $11.68. Full mint panes of this issue are popular with sports topical collectors and are currently selling for around $15.

As with many other modern issues, this set has been heavily counterfeited. Panes being offered at or below postage value are most likely counterfeit.

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