List of Machin stamps
Encyclopedia
This is a list of all the major variations of the Machin series
of postage stamp
s in the United Kingdom
. The complete list of all variations is vast and outside the scope of this encyclopedia.
Note: - The colours and the colour descriptions are to be used to give an idea only, as each catalogue and website will reference the colours differently.
Small Size (21mm x 24mm)
Large Size
period of decimalisation, and continue to be produced today. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Royal Mail
issued 12 Machins in a larger format. Other major variations include:
Small Size (21mm x 24mm)
Large Size (30mm x 35mm)
. The E NVI stamp represented the standard letter rate to Europe
.
Small Size (21mm x 24mm)
Horizontal Issues
Large size (30mm x 35mm)
issued 5 stamps to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Penny Black
. It featured the machin image of Queen Elizabeth II overlaying the image of Queen Victoria from the Penny Black. An NVI issue was released in 2000.
Only size (21mm x 24mm)
Machin series
The Machin series of postage stamps is the main definitive stamp series in the United Kingdom, used since 5 June 1967. It is the second series to figure the image of Elizabeth II, replacing the Wilding series....
of postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The complete list of all variations is vast and outside the scope of this encyclopedia.
Note: - The colours and the colour descriptions are to be used to give an idea only, as each catalogue and website will reference the colours differently.
Pre-Decimal Issues
The first Machins were issued in 1967 and were in use until the UK changed to a decimal currency in 1971. These Machins came in two sizes, with the four higher value stamps being the largest.Small Size (21mm x 24mm)
| Value & Colour | Date first issued |
|---|---|
| ½d orange brown | Feb 5 1968 |
| 1d yellow & ochre | Feb 5 1968 |
| 2d lake brown | Feb 5 1968 |
| 3d spectrum violet | Aug 8 1967 |
| 4d olive sepia | Jun 5 1967 |
| 4d vermilion | Jan 6 1969 |
| 5d stewart blue | Jul 1 1968 |
| 6d purple | Feb 5 1968 |
| 7d light green | Jul 1 1968 |
| 8d scarlet | Jul 1 1968 |
| 8d duck egg blue | Jan 6 1969 |
| 9d winchester green | Aug 8 1967 |
| 10d light olive brown | Jul 1 1968 |
| 1/- aconite violet | Jun 5 1967 |
| 1/6 turquoise & garter blue | Aug 8 1967 |
| 1/9 orange & olive brown | Jun 5 1967 |
Large Size
| Value & Colour | Date first issued |
|---|---|
| 2/6 peat brown | Mar 5 1969 |
| 5/- raspberry red | Mar 5 1969 |
| 10/- deep ultramarine | Mar 5 1969 |
| £1 bluish black | Mar 5 1969 |
Decimal Issues
The decimal Machins have been issued throughout Britain'sUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
period of decimalisation, and continue to be produced today. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Royal Mail
Royal Mail
Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...
issued 12 Machins in a larger format. Other major variations include:
- Elliptical Perforation: In 1993 the Royal Mail started issuing Machins with two large elliptical perforations, one on either side, as a security feature. Some Machins have both standard and elliptical perfs, but those issued after 1993 only have the ellipticals.
- EME Images: In 1997 a new profile of the Queen was used on Machins. EME (or Electro-Mechanically Engraved) images are created by computer and therefore offer better detail in the image.
- Regional Issues: These Machins were issued with a heraldic symbol in the top left hand corner. These represent the Isle of ManIsle of ManThe Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
with the Three Legs of ManTriskelionA triskelion or triskele is a motif consisting of three interlocked spirals, or three bent human legs, or any similar symbol with three protrusions and a threefold rotational symmetry. Both words are from Greek or , "three-legged", from prefix "τρι-" , "three times" + "σκέλος" , "leg"...
symbol; Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
with the Red Hand of UlsterRed Hand of UlsterThe Red Hand of Ulster is a symbol used in heraldry to denote the Irish province of Ulster. It is less commonly known as the Red Hand of O'Neill. Its origins are said to be attributed to the mythical Irish figure Labraid Lámh Dhearg , and appear in other mythical tales passed down from generation...
symbol; ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
with the Lion of ScotlandRoyal coat of arms of ScotlandThe royal coat of arms of Scotland was the official coat of arms of the monarchs of Scotland, and was used as the official coat of arms of the Kingdom of Scotland until the Acts of Union of 1707...
symbol and WalesWalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
with the Welsh Dragon symbol.
Small Size (21mm x 24mm)
| Value & Colour | Date 1st Issue | Elliptical Perf. | EME Image | | Regional Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½p turquoise | Feb 15 1971 | |||
| 1p crimson | Feb 15 1971 | Jun 8 1993 | Apr 1 1997 | |
| 1½p charcoal grey | Feb 15 1971 | |||
| 2p deep grey-green | Feb 15 1971 | Apr 11 1995 | May 27 1997 | |
| 2½p pale magenta | Feb 15 1971 | Jul 7 1971     |
||
| 2½p rose madder | Jan 14 1981 | |||
| 3p ultramarine | Feb 15 1971 | Jul 7 1971 |
||
| 3p rose red | Oct 22 1980 | |||
| 3p shocking pink | Oct 10 1989 | |||
| 3½p grey green | Feb 15 1971 | Jan 23 1974 |
||
| 3½p purple-brown | Mar 30 1983 | |||
| 4p rust brown | Feb 15 1971 | |||
| 4p turquoise | Jan 30 1980 | |||
| 4p cobalt blue | Jan 26 1988 | Dec 14 1993 | May 27 1997 | |
| 4½p blue-grey | Oct 24 1973 | |||
| 4½p steel blue | Nov 6 1974 | Nov 6 1974 |
||
| 5p grey-violet | Feb 15 1971 | Jul 7 1971 |
||
| 5p greyish rose | Jan 27 1982 | |||
| 5p ash pink (red-brown) | Jul 26 1988 | Jun 8 1993 | May 27 1997 | |
| 5½p deep violet | Oct 24 1973 | Jan 23 1974 |
||
| 6p pastel green | Feb 15 1971 | |||
| 6p lime green | Sep 10 1991 | Apr 27 1993 | Apr 1 1997 | |
| 6½p cerulean blue | Sep 4 1974 | Jan 14 1976 |
||
| 7p reddish brown | Dec 1974 | Jan 18 1978 |
||
| 7p brick red | Oct 29 1985 | |||
| 7p light grey | Apr 20 1999 | |||
| 7p shocking pink | Apr 1 2004 | |||
| 7½p pale chestnut | Feb 15 1971 | Jul 7 1971 |
||
| 8p blood red | Oct 24 1973 | Jan 23 1974 |
||
| 8p old gold | Apr 25 2000 | |||
| 8½p apple green | Sep 24 1975 | Jan 14 1976 |
||
| 9p orange & black | Feb 15 1971 | |||
| 9p bluish violet | Feb 25 1976 | Jan 18 1978 |
||
| 9p orange | Apr 5 2005 | Apr 1 2008 | ||
| 9½p deep lilac | Feb 16 1976 | |||
| 10p terracotta & orange-brown | Aug 11 1971 | |||
| 10p grey-orange | Feb 25 1976 | Oct 20 1976 |
||
| 10p light tan | Sep 4 1990 | Jun 8 1993 | May 27 1997 | |
| 10½p light yellow | Feb 25 1976 | |||
| 10½p greyish blue | Apr 26 1978 | Jan 18 1978 |
||
| 11p pastel red | Feb 25 1976 | Oct 20 1976 |
||
| 11½p rust brown | Aug 15 1979 | |||
| 11½p mushroom | Jan 14 1981 | Apr 8 1981 |
||
| 12p yellow-green | Jan 30 1980 | Jul 23 1980 |
||
| 12p emerald green | Oct 29 1985 | Jan 7 1986 |
||
| 12p dark turquoise | Aug 1 2006 | |||
| 12½p pastel green | Jan 27 1982 | Feb 24 1982 |
||
| 13p grey green | Aug 15 1979 | |||
| 13p light brown | Aug 28 1984 | Oct 23 1984 |
||
| 13½p red brown | Jan 30 1980 | Jul 23 1980 |
||
| 14p greyish blue | Jan 14 1981 | Apr 8 1981 |
||
| 14p dark blue | Aug 23 1988 | Nov 8 1988 |
||
| 14p salmon pink | Aug 1 2006 | |||
| 15p ultramarine | Aug 15 1979 | Jul 23 1980 |
||
| 15p light blue | Sep 26 1989 | Nov 28 1989 |
||
| 15p shocking pink | Apr 1 2008 | Apr 1 2008 | ||
| 15½p light violet | Jan 14 1981 | Feb 24 1982 |
||
| 16p light mushroom | Mar 30 1983 | Apr 27 1983 |
||
| 16p pink | Mar 27 2007 | |||
| 16½p light brown | Jan 27 1982 | |||
| 17p pastel green | Jan 30 1980 | |||
| 17p greyish blue | Mar 30 1983 | Oct 23 1984 |
||
| 17p dark blue | Sep 4 1990 | Dec 4 1990 |
||
| 17½p chestnut brown | Jan 30 1980 | |||
| 18p bluish violet | Jan 14 1981 | Apr 8 1981 |
||
| 18p grey green | Aug 28 1984 | Jan 6 1987 |
||
| 18p light green | Sep 10 1991 | Dec 3 1991 |
||
| 19p flame | Aug 23 1988 | Nov 8 1988 |
||
| 19p olive green | Oct 26 1993 | Apr 20 1999 | Dec 7 1993 |
|
| 19½p pale olive grey | Jan 27 1982 | Feb 24 1982 |
||
| 20p purple-grey | Feb 25 1976 | |||
| 20p sea green | Aug 23 1988 | Dec 7 1993 | ||
| 20p black | Sep 26 1989 | Nov 28 1989 |
||
| 20p light green | Jun 25 1996 | Apr 29 1997 | Jul 23 1996 |
|
| 20½p ultramarine | Mar 30 1983 | Apr 27 1983 |
||
| 22p deep blue | Oct 22 1980 | Apr 8 1981 |
||
| 22p moss green | Aug 28 1984 | Oct 23 1984 |
||
| 22p flame | Sep 4 1990 | Dec 4 1990 |
||
| 23p pastel red | Mar 30 1983 | |||
| 23p light green | Aug 23 1988 | Nov 8 1988 |
||
| 24p violet | Aug 28 1984 | |||
| 24p terracotta | Sep 26 1989 | Nov 28 1989 |
||
| 24p rust | Sep 10 1991 | Dec 3 1991 |
||
| 25p lilac | Jan 14 1981 | |||
| 25p salmon pink | Oct 26 1993 | Dec 7 1993 |
||
| 26p post office red | Jan 27 1982 | Feb 24 1982 |
||
| 26p stone | Sep 4 1990 | Dec 4 1990 |
||
| 26p rust | Jun 25 1996 | Sep 23 1997 | Jul 23 1996 |
|
| 26p gold | Apr 21 1997 | Apr 21 1997 | ||
| 27p rust | Aug 23 1988 | |||
| 27p mauve | Sep 4 1990 | |||
| 28p bluish violet | Mar 30 1983 | Apr 27 1983 |
||
| 28p sand | Aug 23 1988 | |||
| 28p slate blue | Sep 10 1991 | Dec 3 1991 |
||
| 29p yellow-brown | Jan 27 1982 | |||
| 29p purple | Sep 26 1989 | |||
| 29p light grey | Oct 26 1993 | |||
| 30p sage green | Sep 26 1989 | Jul 27 1993 | 1997 | Dec 7 1993 |
| 31p deep lilac | Mar 30 1983 | Oct 23 1984 |
||
| 31p ultramarine | Sep 4 1990 | |||
| 31p purple | Jun 25 1996 | Aug 26 1997 | ||
| 32p dark turquoise | Aug 23 1988 | Nov 8 1988 |
||
| 33p emerald green | Sep 4 1990 | |||
| 33p slate blue | Apr 25 2000 | |||
| 34p yellow brown | Aug 28 1984 | |||
| 34p slate blue | Sep 26 1989 | Nov 28 1989 |
||
| 34p purple | Sep 10 1991 | |||
| 34p lime green | May 6 2003 | May 6 2003 | ||
| 35p dark brown | Aug 23 1988 | Aug 1 2004 | ||
| 35p old gold | Sep 10 1991 | Aug 17 1993 | ||
| 35p lime green | Apr 5 2005 | Apr 5 2005 | ||
| 36p ultramarine | Oct 26 1993 | |||
| 37p red | Sep 26 1989 | Dec 4 1990 |
||
| 37p amethyst | Jun 25 1996 | Aug 26 1997 | Jul 23 1996 |
|
| 37p charcoal black | Jul 4 2002 | Jul 4 2002 | ||
| 37p olive green | Mar 28 2006 | Mar 28 2006 | ||
| 38p red | Oct 26 1993 | |||
| 38p ultramarine | Apr 20 1999 | Apr 20 1999 | Jun 8 1999 |
|
| 39p amethyst | Sep 10 1991 | Dec 3 1991 |
||
| 39p shocking pink | Jun 25 1996 | 1997 | ||
| 39p light grey | Apr 1 2004 | |||
| 40p grey blue | Apr 25 2000 | Apr 25 2000 | Apr 25 2000 |
|
| 40p dark turquoise | Apr 1 2004 | Apr 1 2004 | ||
| 41p stone | Oct 26 1993 | Dec 7 1993 |
||
| 41p red | Apr 25 2000 | Apr 25 2000 | ||
| 42p sage green | Jul 4 2002 | Jul 4 2002 | ||
| 43p dark brown | Jun 25 1996 | Apr 1 1997 | ||
| 43p emerald green | Apr 1 2004 | Apr 1 2004 | ||
| 44p stone | Apr 20 1999 | Apr 20 1999 | ||
| 44p ultramarine | Mar 28 2006 | Mar 28 2006 | ||
| 45p amethyst | Apr 25 2000 | Apr 25 2000 | ||
| 46p old gold | Apr 5 2005 | Apr 5 2005 | ||
| 47p sea green | Jul 4 2002 | Jul 4 2002 | ||
| 48p amethyst | Mar 27 2007 | Mar 27 2007 | ||
| 49p rust | Mar 28 2006 | Mar 28 2006 | ||
| 50p ochre | Feb 2 1977 | |||
| 50p sand | Mar 13 1990 | Dec 14 1993 | Apr 1 1997 | |
| 50p light grey | Mar 27 2007 | Mar 27 2007 | ||
| 54p rust | Mar 27 2007 | Mar 27 2007 | ||
| 56p sage green | Apr 1 2008 | Apr 1 2008 | ||
| 60p slate blue | Aug 9 1994 | |||
| 63p emerald green | Jun 25 1996 | Aug 26 1997 | Jul 23 1996 |
|
| 64p sea green | Apr 20 1999 | Apr 20 1999 | Jun 8 1999 |
|
| 65p dark turquoise | Apr 25 2000 | Apr 25 2000 | Apr 25 2000 |
|
| 68p stone | Jul 4 2002 | Jul 4 2002 | ||
| 72p red | Mar 28 2006 | Mar 28 2006 | ||
| 75p India black | Jan 30 1980 | |||
| 78p emerald green | Mar 27 2007 | Mar 27 2007 | ||
| 81p turquoise | Apr 1 2008 | Apr 1 2008 | ||
| £1 mauve | Aug 22 1995 | Apr 1 1997 | ||
| £1 ruby | Jun 5 2007 | Jun 5 2007 | ||
| £1.50 brownish red | Mar 9 1999 | |||
| £2 slate blue | Mar 9 1999 | |||
| £3 dull purple | Mar 9 1999 | |||
| £5 brown | Mar 9 1999 | |||
| £5 grey blue | Jul 1 2003 |
Large Size (30mm x 35mm)
| Value & Colour | Date 1st Issue |
|---|---|
| 10p cerise | Jun 17 1970 |
| 20p olive green | Jun 17 1970 |
| 50p deep ultramarine | Jun 17 1970 |
| £1 bluish black | Jun 17 1970 |
| £1 olive & greenish yellow | Feb 2 1977 |
| £1.30 buff & blue-green | Aug 3 1983 |
| £1.33 mauve & blue-black | Aug 28 1984 |
| £1.41 buff & blue-green | Sep 17 1985 |
| £1.50 blue-black & lilac | Sep 2 1986 |
| £1.60 blue-black & buff | Sep 2 1986 |
| £2 purple-brown and pale green | Feb 2 1977 |
| £5 royal blue & pale pink | Feb 2 1977 |
NVI (Non-Value Indicator) Issues
NVI (or Non-Value Indicator) Machins first appeared in 1989 in an attempt to negate the need to keep issuing new stamps after each postal rate change. They are marked 1st and 2nd for the two classes of post in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The E NVI stamp represented the standard letter rate to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Small Size (21mm x 24mm)
| Value & Colour | Date 1st Issue | Elliptical Perf. | EME Image | Regional Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st black | Aug 22 1989 | |||
| 1st flame | Aug 7 1990 | Apr 6 1993 | Apr 29 1997 | Feb 15 2000 |
| 1st gold | Apr 21 1997 | Apr 21 1997 | ||
| 1st Millennium white | Jan 6 2000 | Jan 6 2000 | ||
| 1st gold (large value) | Aug 1 2006 | Aug 1 2006 | ||
| 2nd light blue | Aug 22 1989 | Apr 6 1993 | Apr 29 1997 | |
| 2nd dark blue | Aug 7 1990 | |||
| 2nd light blue (large value) | Aug 1 2006 | Aug 1 2006 | ||
| E dark blue | Jan 19 1999 | Jan 19 1999 |
Horizontal Issues
| Value & Colour | Date 1st Issue | Elliptical Perf. | EME Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st gold (large value) | Aug 1 2006 | Aug 1 2006 | |
| 2nd light blue (large value) | Aug 1 2006 | Aug 1 2006 |
Large size (30mm x 35mm)
| Value & Colour | Date 1st Issue |
|---|---|
| 1st embossed | Feb 16 1999 |
| 1st engraved | Feb 16 1999 |
| 1st typographed | Feb 16 1999 |
Penny Black Anniversary Issues
In 1990, the Royal MailRoyal Mail
Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...
issued 5 stamps to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Penny Black
Penny Black
The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was issued in Britain on 1 May 1840, for official use from 6 May of that year....
. It featured the machin image of Queen Elizabeth II overlaying the image of Queen Victoria from the Penny Black. An NVI issue was released in 2000.
Only size (21mm x 24mm)
| Value & Colour | Date 1st Issue |
|---|---|
| 15p light blue | Jan 10 1990 |
| 20p black & cream | Jan 10 1990 |
| 20p black | Apr 17 1990 |
| 29p purple | Jan 10 1990 |
| 34p slate blue | Jan 10 1990 |
| 37p red | Jan 10 1990 |
| 1st black | Feb 15 2000 |
Airmail Issues
Only size (21mm x 24mm)| Value & Colour | Date 1st Issue |
|---|---|
| Airmail Europe | Mar 27 2003 |
| Airmail Worldwide | Mar 27 2003 |
| Airmail Postcard | Apr 1 2004 |