The Machin Series: A Long and Storied History

The Machin Series: A Long and Storied History

The Machin series of postage stamps is a definitive series of postage stamps issued by the Royal Mail in the United Kingdom. The series was introduced in 1967 and is still in use today. The stamps feature a silhouette of Queen Elizabeth II in profile, designed by Arnold Machin. The series has been through several revisions over the years, with the most recent revision in 2013.

The First Machin Stamps

The first Machin stamps were issued on 5 June 1967. The stamps were printed in photogravure and were available in denominations of 4d, 6d, 8d, 10d, 1s 3d, 1s 6d, 2s, 2s 6d, 3s, 4s, and 5s. The stamps were a departure from the previous series of postage stamps, which had featured a variety of designs, including portraits of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. The Machin stamps were designed to be simple and easy to recognize, and they have remained popular with the public since their introduction.

The Revisions to the Machin Series

The Machin series has been revised several times over the years. The first revision was in 1971, when the stamps were redesigned to include a new portrait of the Queen. The next revision was in 1982, when the stamps were redesigned to incorporate new security features. The most recent revision was in 2013, when the stamps were redesigned to include a new watermark and a new printing process.

The Machin Series Today

The Machin series is still in use today and is one of the most popular series of postage stamps in the world. The stamps are available in a wide variety of denominations and are used for both domestic and international postage. The Machin series is a testament to the enduring popularity of the silhouette of Queen Elizabeth II and is a symbol of the Royal Mail.