This is a list of all the major variations of the
Machin series of
postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper issued by a post office, postal administration, or other authorized vendors to customers who pay postage (the cost involved in moving, insuring, or registering mail), who then affix the stamp to the f ...
s in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. 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.
Small size ()
Large Size
Decimal issues
The decimal Machins have been issued throughout
Britain's period of decimalisation, and continue to be produced today. During the 1970s and 1980s, the
Royal Mail issued 12 Machins in a larger format. Other major variations include:
:''Elliptical Perforation'': In 1993 the 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.
:''Regional Issues'': These Machins were issued with a heraldic symbol in the top left hand corner. These represent the
Isle of Man
)
, anthem = "O Land of Our Birth"
, image = Isle of Man by Sentinel-2.jpg
, image_map = Europe-Isle_of_Man.svg
, mapsize =
, map_alt = Location of the Isle of Man in Europe
, map_caption = Location of the Isle of Man (green)
in Europe ...
with the
Three Legs of Man symbol;
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
with the
Red Hand of Ulster symbol;
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...
with the
Lion of Scotland symbol and
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
with the
Welsh Dragon
The Welsh Dragon ( cy, y Ddraig Goch, meaning 'the red dragon'; ) is a heraldic symbol that represents Wales and appears on the national flag of Wales.
As an emblem, the red dragon of Wales has been used since the reign of Cadwaladr, King of ...
symbol.
Small size ()
Large size ()
NVI (non-value indicator) issues
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 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. The ''E'' NVI stamp represented the standard letter rate to
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...
.
Small size ()
Horizontal issues
Large size ()
Penny Black anniversary issues
In 1990, the
Royal Mail issued 5 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
Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days was longer than that of any previo ...
from the Penny Black. An NVI issue was released in 2000.
Small size ()
Airmail issues
Small size ()
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.
Barcoded series (2021–present)
Machin stamps with
Data Matrix barcode
A barcode or bar code is a method of representing data in a visual, machine-readable form. Initially, barcodes represented data by varying the widths, spacings and sizes of parallel lines. These barcodes, now commonly referred to as linear or o ...
s 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.
2021 barcoded trial
2022 barcoded issues
Notes
Footnotes
{{Elizabeth II
Postage stamps of the United Kingdom