On March 22, a new non-denominated (55¢) forever Star Ribbon stamp will be issued in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago. The digitally created stamp design shows a red, white and blue ribbon crisply folded into a star shape. The white space remaining in the center also creates a star, amplifying the patriotic effect. The white space in the middle of the ribbon creates a second smaller star. The words “Forever” and “USA” appear below the star.

Patriotic symbols were used as design elements on United States postage stamps as far back as 1869 when the 10¢ yellow stamp issued that year showed an eagle with spreading wings perched upon a striped shield.

“The tricolored ribbon, folded into a patriotic symbol, is intended to evoke the connectedness of the American people,” according to the U.S. Postal Service.

The self-adhesive stamp will be issued in panes of 20, coils of 3,000, and coils of 10,000.

Technical details for the coils have not been released, but if the same printer created both coil sizes, it is likely the coil stamps will be the same regardless of the source. If so, two major varieties should result from this issue: one pane stamp and one coil variety.

The stamp design and illustration were created by Aaron Draplin, working with U.S. Post art director Greg Breeding.

The stamps in panes of 20 were offset-printed by Banknote Corporation of America and will include micro printing, according to U.S. Post technical details.

Asked why the stamp was being issued in a pane of 20 — an unusual format for a forever definitive stamp — U.S. Post spokesman Roy Betts told Linn’s Stamp News, “There was a primary need for patriotic large coils, but because we wanted the general buying public to also have access to these stamps we decided to offer it in panes of 20 as well.”

The stamp pane can be split to allow single sales, Betts added.

Along with various stamps featuring the American flag in many different styles, star-shaped designs in red, white, and blue have been featured on multiple U.S. postage stamps and postal stationery items over the years.

A pictorial first-day cancel in black has been prepared for the new stamp. A star design on the postmark complements the stamp design.

These Star Ribbon Stamps will always be equal in value to the current domestic 1-ounce letter postage price.