List of all the major variations of the Machin series of postage stamps in the United Kingdom
This is a list of all the major variations of the Machin series of postage stamps in the United Kingdom. The complete list of all variations is vast and outside the scope of this encyclopedia.
Note: the colours and the colour descriptions are to be used to give an idea only, as each catalogue and website will name the colours differently.
Pre-decimal issues
The first Machins were issued in 1967 and were in use until the UK changed to a decimal currency in 1971. These Machins came in two sizes, with the four higher value stamps being the largest.
Upon demonetisation, the £1 blue/black will be the oldest-circulating Machin stamp, at 54 years and 148 days.
Decimal issues
Machins continued being issued after Britain's change to decimalisation, and were produced until the end of the queen's reign. During the 1970s and 1980s, Royal Mail issued 12 Machins in a larger format. Other major variations include:
Elliptical perforation: In 1993 Royal Mail started issuing Machins with two large elliptical perforations, one on either side, as a security feature. Some Machins have both standard and elliptical perfs, but those issued after 1993 only have the ellipticals.
EME Images: In 1997 a new profile of the Queen was used on Machins. EME (or electro-mechanically engraved) images are created by computer and therefore offer better detail in the image.
NVI (or non-value indicator) Machins first appeared in 1989 in an attempt to negate the need to keep issuing new stamps after each postal rate change. They are marked 1st and 2nd for the two classes of post in the United Kingdom. The E NVI stamp represented the standard letter rate to Europe.
Small size (21 mm × 24 mm (0.83 in × 0.94 in))
Value and colour
Date 1st issue
Elliptical perf.
EME image
Regional issue
1st black
Aug 22 1989
1st flame
Aug 7 1990
Apr 6 1993
Apr 29 1997
Feb 15 2000
1st gold
Apr 21 1997
Apr 21 1997
1st Millennium white
Jan 6 2000
Jan 6 2000
1st gold (large value)
Aug 1 2006
Aug 1 2006
2nd light blue
Aug 22 1989
Apr 6 1993
Apr 29 1997
2nd dark blue
Aug 7 1990
2nd light blue (large value)
Aug 1 2006
Aug 1 2006
E dark blue
Jan 19 1999
Jan 19 1999
Horizontal issues
Value and colour
Date 1st issue
Elliptical perf.
EME image
1st gold (large value)
Aug 1 2006
Aug 1 2006
2nd light blue (large value)
Aug 1 2006
Aug 1 2006
Large size (30 mm × 35 mm (1.2 in × 1.4 in))
Value and colour
Date 1st issue
1st embossed
Feb 16 1999
1st engraved
Feb 16 1999
1st typographed
Feb 16 1999
Penny Black anniversary issues
In 1990, the Royal Mail issued five stamps to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Penny Black. They featured the Machin image of Queen Elizabeth II overlaying the image of Queen Victoria from the Penny Black. An NVI issue was released in 2000.
Small size (21 mm × 24 mm (0.83 in × 0.94 in))
Value and colour
Date 1st issue
15p light blue
Jan 10 1990
20p black & cream
Jan 10 1990
20p black
Apr 17 1990
29p purple
Jan 10 1990
34p slate blue
Jan 10 1990
37p red
Jan 10 1990
1st black
Feb 15 2000
Airmail issues
Small size (21 mm × 24 mm (0.83 in × 0.94 in))
Value & Colour
Date 1st Issue
Airmail Europe up to 20g
30 Mar 2003
Airmail Europe up to 40g
27 Mar 2003
Airmail Worldwide up to 20g
30 Mar 2003
Airmail Worldwide up to 40g
27 Mar 2003
Airmail Postcard
1 Apr 2004
Self-adhesive stamps
Since about 2009, virtually all Machins have been issued only as self-adhesive stamps. The primary exceptions have been stamps issued as part of Prestige Stamp Booklets or in souvenir sheets.[citation needed]
Barcoded series (2021–present)
Machin stamps with Data Matrixbarcodes were introduced in two stages, on 1 February 2022 (non-value indicators), and 4 April 2022 (other values). All barcoded stamps are self-adhesive.
Existing definitive stamps issued from 15 February 1971 to 31 January 2022 remain valid until 31 January 2023: since 31 March 2022, they can be indefinitely exchanged for the barcoded series.[18]
The 2022 issue was the last release in the Machin series prior to the death of Elizabeth II. On 8 February 2023, the design for the new definitive series, to be released on 4 April 2023 and featuring a portrait of Charles III by Martin Jennings, was revealed.[19]
^ ab"Decimalisation at 50". The Postal Museum. London: Postal Heritage Trust. 15 February 2021. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2023.