Author Archive: Maureen Flood

The New King Charles III Definitive Stamps

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The image of HM The King is an adapted version of the portrait created by Martin Jennings for the obverse of the new Royal Mint coinage and shows the new monarch facing to the left. The use of the coin image is a continuation of a long tradition stretching back to the creation of the Penny Black in 1840.

Martin Jennings made a profile sculpture of Charles for the Royal Mint and a team for the Royal Mail adapted an image of the artwork, adjusting and relighting the picture for use on the new stamps.

There is no embellishment at all: a more minimalist design than used in previous years by Charles’s predecessors. The King is not wearing a crown or any other kind of decoration.

For 70 years people have been so used to seeing the image of Queen Elizabeth II there was no wish to do anything too different to what had gone before.

Colours for all four values are retained from the Machin definitive stamps that featured Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:

• 1st Class – Plum Purple
• 2nd Class – Holly Green
• 1st Class Large – Marine Turquoise
• 2nd Class Large – Dark Pine Green

Britain’s postage stamps are unique in not showing the name of the country. The new stamps have nothing except the King’s head, the price and also, now, an attached
barcode.

To minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change of monarch, existing stocks of definitive stamps that feature Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be distributed and issued as planned and will remain valid for use.

The stamps will go on general sale from 4 April, a month before the Coronation takes place on May 6 in Westminster Abbey.

Maureen Flood – Sub Post Mistress

Post Office News February 2023

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King Charles III banknotes unveiled
The Bank of England unveiled the design of the King Charles III banknotes in December 2022. The King’s portrait will appear on all four of polymer banknotes
(£5, £10, £20 and £50). The rest of the design on the banknotes will remain the same. The King’s image will appear on the front of the banknotes, as well as in the
see-through security window.

When will we see a King Charles III banknote?
The new banknotes are expected to enter circulation by mid-2024.

What will happen to the Queen Elizabeth II banknotes?
You will still be able to use polymer banknotes that feature the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Banknotes featuring Queen Elizabeth II and the King will be in circulation at the same time.

The new banknotes will only be printed to replace those that are worn and to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes. This approach is in line with guidance from the Royal Household, to minimise the environmental and financial impact of this change.

Non Bar-Coded Stamps
Royal Mail had asked customers to use any non-barcoded stamps by 31 January 2023. If customers were not able to use them by 31 January 2023, they can be swapped out for barcoded stamps via Royal Mail’s Swap Out Scheme. Forms for this are available in your post office. There is currently no end date to this scheme.

From 31 January 2023 there will be a six-month grace period up to 31 July 2023 and during this time, any items with a non-barcoded stamp(s) will still be delivered and no surcharges will be incurred. Customers presenting items with non-barcoded stamps from 1 August 2023: such items would then be subject to surcharge.

Maureen Flood – Sub Post Mistress