2017-03-20 Mon

Five new Machin stamps and eight country definitives featuring the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II were released by Great Britain on 21st March as the postage rates have been altered. More than 200 billion British stamps have featured the same portrait since 1967. Officials stated that even though the design is 50 years old, it is timeless. Eight regional stamps for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were also issued.

Officials state that the colours belong to the 2013 jubilee palette. £1.17 stamp in sunset red, £1.40 stamps in dark green pine, £1.57 stamps in tarragon green, £2.27 stamps in harvest gold, and £2.55 stamps in garnet red were released. Each denomination has a different purpose in terms of where they can be sent to and the weight of letters.

Four £1.17 and four £1.40 country definitive stamps were also introduced. An oak tree is featured on the England £1.17 stamp, linen is featured on the Northern Ireland £1.17 stamp, a thistle is featured on the Scotland £1.17 stamp, and a daffodil is featured on the Wales £1.17 stamp; the Tudor rose is featured on the £1.40 England stamp, Parian china is featured on the £1.40 Northern Ireland stamp, a tartan is featured on the £1.40 Scotland stamp, and Prince of Wales feathers is featured on the £1.40 Wales stamp.

Various first-day covers and two presentation packs are also being offered.