Two new stamps, a 9c overprint on the existing 8c Opal stamp and a new definitive stamp, the 10c Star Sapphire, were introduced on 16th October, 1974, to meet the need for large quantities in these denominations following the new postal rates. The new stamps become part of the current Gemstones definitive series.
The 10c Star Sapphire was a reserve design prepared by the late Mr. John Mason of Melbourne, when he originally designed the Gemstones series.
Both stamps were printed by multicolour photogravure by the Note Printing Branch of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne, on unwatermarked paper incorporating luminescence, on the Rembrandt press. The stamps are in vertical format and measure 20.25 mm x 24.05 mm and sheet content (as issued) is 100. The 9c overprint was applied by letterpress.
A first day cover was available for the issue.
Details
- Date of Issue: 16 October 1974
- Withdrawn Date:
- 30 January 1981 (10c)
- Invalidated:
- Designer: John Mason, Melbourne
- Printer: Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne
- Press: Rembrandt
- Process: Multicolour photogravure
- Cylinders:
- Paper: KP5D paper – chalk coated with Helecon
- Watermark: None
- Perf: 14.75 x 14 (comb)
- Sheet:
- Quantity:
- 35,704,000 (9c)
- 578,904,000 (10c)
Subjects
- 9c on 8c Opal
- 10c Star Sapphire
First Day Covers No.67 (Official)
CHADSTONE CENTRE/VIC 3148
DEGRAVES/STREET/VIC 3000
ESSENDON/VIC 3040
LATROBE STREET/VIC 3000
PENRITH/NSW 2750
PHILATELIC SALES CENTRE/MELBOURNE 3000
