The Machin series /ˈmeɪtʃɪn/ of postage stamps was the main definitive stamp series in the United Kingdom for most of the reign of Elizabeth II, from 1967 until her death in 2022. Introduced on 5 June 1967, it was the second series of her reign, replacing the Wilding series. The last issue was on 4 April 2022, four months before the Queen's death on 8 September.[1]
Designed by Arnold Machin, the stamps 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 encouraged an abundant specialised philatelic collectors' market and associated literature.
Arnold Machin's 1964 effigy of Elizabeth II was replaced on British coins in 1984 by an older-looking portrayal by Raphael Maklouf. However, the Queen's likeness on British definitive stamps was not replaced after 1967, and she herself rejected the last proposals to replace them.[2]
- ^ "Royal Mail issues Machin definitives to meet new postal rates". Linns Stamp News.
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