Queen Elizabeth pre-decimal

[John_Gledhill]

All images are © Copyright Postal Order Society and the owners.

Queen Elizabeth

1st issue, frame all round, similar to King George VI design. These are extremely rare, and are only the £3, £4 and £5 values.


The only known copy of a £4 value in the first set. Sold on ebay at the end of 2012.


(picture from Brill catalogue, only about 6 copies are known)


2nd issue, one row of black bars at the foot
(The bars are different for each value, to aid machine recognition)
The poundage was raised during this issue.


First poundage

Second poundage



3rd issue, two row of black bars at the foot
(the additional bar has a fixed position, to give the machine recognition a fixed point against which to evaluate the position of the other bars)



4th issue, Machine-readable serial

The machine readable serial numbers were only used on high values, and only for a short period before being replaced by the "square head" design shown below.

5th issue, Square head, Postmaster General
The change to the "square head" design took place shortly before the abolition of the post of "Postmaster General". Consequently issues in the new design but payable to "Postmaster General" rather than "Post Office" are very scarce. They are only known for high values (£3,£4,£5). Only 12million were printed of the 3 orders combined.




In 1969 the post of "Postmaster General" was abolished, so Postal Orders were now inscribed "To the Post Office" instead of "To the Postmaster General" at the top.

6th issue, original design, "Post Office", traditional "fractional" serial number prefix

(temporary picture, ex Brill catalogue)

7th issue, as 6th issue but machine readable serial number for high values £1, 21s and £2.

(temp picture, ex Brill catalogue)

8th issue, "square head", "Post Office", pre-decimal stamp box and poundage. Only 21s, £2 & £5 are known, but £3 & £4 may also exist.

(temp picture, ex Brill catalogue: note this shows the 6d poundage error)

Last update: 23 November 2010

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