Bahamas – Scott # 858

Description

This Bahamas definitive stamp, Scott #858, issued in 1998, features the flamingo tongue coral (Herpolitha limax), a distinctive marine species found in Caribbean waters. The close-up photographic design highlights the coral’s rippled, petal-like structure and subtle coloration, emphasizing texture and natural form rather than broad seascape imagery.

Marine life definitives such as this reflect the Bahamas’ strong connection to its surrounding coral reef ecosystems and growing environmental awareness in late-20th-century philately. By focusing on coral rather than fish or larger fauna, the stamp draws attention to the foundational organisms that support reef biodiversity and coastal health.

Rendered in sharp photographic detail with minimal framing, the design aligns with modern definitive trends of the 1990s, favoring realism and scientific accuracy. Its subject matter makes it particularly appealing to collectors of marine biology, coral reef, and environmental-themed stamps.

Mint never hinged examples such as this retain full original gum without disturbance and are especially desirable for collectors of Bahamas definitives, marine life issues, and topical natural history stamps.

Scott Catalog Number: 858
Denomination: 55¢
Year of Issue: 1998
Condition: Mint, never hinged (MNH)
Country: Bahamas