Machin Series

Machin Series: An In-Depth Look at the Iconic British Stamp

The History and Evolution of the Machin Series

The Machin Series is a set of postage stamps issued by the Royal Mail in the United Kingdom since 1967. It is one of the most iconic and recognisable stamp series in the world, and features a profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin.

The Machin Series was introduced as a replacement for the Wilding Series, which had been in use since 1952. The new series was designed to be more modern and less cluttered than its predecessor, and featured a simplified portrait of the Queen on a plain background.

The Machin Series has undergone several revisions over the years, with the most significant change coming in 1971 when the portrait of the Queen was updated to reflect her age. The series has also been expanded to include a wide range of denominations, from 1p to £5.

The Design of the Machin Series

The Machin Series is characterised by its simple and elegant design. The portrait of the Queen is the focal point of the stamp, and is surrounded by a plain background.

The stamps are printed in a variety of colours, and the denomination is shown in the bottom right-hand corner. The Machin Series is also one of the few stamp series in the world to feature a watermark, which is a security feature that helps to prevent counterfeiting.

The Machin Series Today

The Machin Series is still in use today, and is one of the most popular stamp series in the United Kingdom. It is a familiar sight on letters and parcels, and is a reminder of the Queen's long reign.

The Machin Series is also a popular collector's item, and there are a number of different varieties and errors that can be found. These can be valuable to collectors, and some of the rarest Machin stamps can sell for thousands of pounds.