{"product_id":"1960-american-credo-series-francis-scott-key-first-day-cover-baltimore-maryland","title":"1960 American Credo Series – Francis Scott Key First Day Cover | Baltimore, Maryland","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis elegant 1960 United States First Day Cover belongs to the popular American Credo series and features Francis Scott Key’s immortal words: “And this be our Motto, in God is our Trust.” With an Artmaster cachet showing Key’s portrait and a waving American flag, plus the 4¢ Credo stamp, it is a patriotic treasure for collectors of American history, national symbols, and classic First Day Covers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🧾 Key Points:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry\u003c\/strong\u003e: United States of America\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate of Issue\u003c\/strong\u003e: September 14, 1960\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCity of Cancellation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Baltimore, Maryland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStamp Value\u003c\/strong\u003e: 4¢\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme\u003c\/strong\u003e: American Credo Series – Francis Scott Key | “And this be our Motto, in God is our Trust”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical or Cultural Relevance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Honors Francis Scott Key, author of the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and celebrates one of America’s foundational creeds emphasizing faith and trust in God as a core national value\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated Market Value\u003c\/strong\u003e: $5–$15 USD, depending on condition and demand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🖼️ Product Overview:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe 1960 American Credo First Day Cover showcases a striking black-and-white cachet with a portrait of Francis Scott Key and a stylized waving American flag. The matching 4¢ red-and-cream Credo stamp repeats the motto with an elegant starburst design, perfectly canceled by the Baltimore first day postmark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Elements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIllustrated portrait cachet of Francis Scott Key\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylized American flag illustration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOfficial 4¢ “American Credo” stamp with the motto “And this be our Motto, in GOD is our TRUST” and F.S. Key signature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear circular Baltimore, Md. postmark dated Sep 14, 9 AM, 1960\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“Art Craft” cachet signature and “American Credo Series 1960” text\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppeal to Collectors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perfect for collectors of the American Credo series, Francis Scott Key and “The Star-Spangled Banner” topical stamps, patriotic U.S. history, or Artmaster First Day Covers from 1960.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e📚 Historical Context:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIssued on September 14, 1960, in Baltimore, Maryland—the city where Francis Scott Key witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814—this First Day Cover is part of the U.S. Postal Service’s American Credo series. The series highlighted foundational American beliefs and values. Key’s words, written as part of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” became deeply embedded in American identity and later inspired the national motto “In God We Trust.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e💎 Collectible Value:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypical Market Value or Rarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artmaster-produced American Credo First Day Covers from 1960 are widely available and popular among thematic collectors. Clean examples with sharp cancellations generally sell in the $5–$15 range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Would Be Interested:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors of the American Credo series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnthusiasts of Francis Scott Key and “The Star-Spangled Banner”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFans of U.S. patriotic and motto-themed philately\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeneral First Day Cover collectors specializing in Artmaster cachets or 1960 issues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe cachet features a laurel wreath framing Key’s famous motto, creating an almost historical document feel. The issuance in Baltimore ties the cover directly to the inspiration for the National Anthem. The stamp itself is part of a short but impactful series that used elegant typography to celebrate core American values.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAdd this rare \u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Credo – Francis Scott Key\u003c\/strong\u003e First Day Cover to your collection today!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51296644825252,"sku":null,"price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/20260406105310.jpg?v=1775498686","url":"https:\/\/maplespringsllc.com\/products\/1960-american-credo-series-francis-scott-key-first-day-cover-baltimore-maryland","provider":"Maple Springs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}