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Pre-decimal High Value Machins
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2023 5:40 pm
by mike.mood@talktalk.net
I have recently purchased a GPO press release from 18JUN1968 announcing the release of the high value Machins on 09SEP1968.
As we all know, the HVs were not actually released until 05MAR1969, and I already have another two press releases announcing this.
Does anybody know the reason for the six month delay?
Re: Pre-decimal High Value Machins
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2023 1:13 pm
by Lennox
The Machin high values were due to be released in March 1968 but due to difficulties the issue date was postponed until September 1968. This is the issue date your press release relates to.
The difficulties were not resolved and the issue date was postponed until March 1969.
As a consequence printings of the Castle high values continued. Since there was no watermarked paper left, printings had to be made on unwatermarked paper. The printings on unwatermarked paper were borne of necessity and were not the result of improved security.
There must have still been some doubt about the Machin high values as the final Castle plates were kept in reserve and not scrapped until 23 February 1970 when the decimal high values were being printed.