Collecting: Machins

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.

Designed by Arnold Machin, they consist simply of the sculpted profile of the Queen and a denomination, and are almost always in a single colour.

After five decades of service, the series has encompassed almost all changes and innovations in British stamp printing. This has been encouraging an abundant specialised philatelic collectors’ market and associated literature.

Arnold Machin’s 1964 effigy of the Queen was replaced on British coins in 1984 by an older-looking effigy by Raphael Maklouf. However, the effigy on British Machin stamps has never been updated, and the last proposals to these ends were rejected by the Queen herself.

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5 Replies to “Collecting: Machins”

  1. Hello:

    Several years ago I purchased a lot of specialized Machins. They are neatly arranged on a stock card each with a small piece of paper on which is written a catalog number. I live in the US and am not familiar with the various numbering systems used in the UK. Thus I am sending this request to anyone who might recognize the numbers as it would make life identifying these babies, much easier.

    The 15 1/2p light violet stamps are numbered 221, 221 S13, 221 S14, 221 S15, 222, 223 etc

    The 50p ochre stamps are numbered 226, 226 S14, 226 S15, 227, 228, 229

    Thank you for any or all responses.

    Peter Economou
    Monroe Township, New Jersey

    1. Hi Peter, sorry for the late reply, I assume you will have identified the Machins by now. The numbers seem to be from the Connoisseur Catalogue the S before the number refers to the configuration of the phosphor band/s on each stamp. Hope this helps. The S numbers are copy right of Douglas Myall who invented the Deegam system for indentifying Machin stamps. Here are a couple of links. http://connoisseurcatalogue.net/
      https://www.deegam.com/

    1. I tend to put clubs/societies under websites. Kinda started this way and then decided it was too hard to change them all. LOL

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