Information about Definitive (stamp)
A definitive postage stamp is a regular issue stamp that is part of a definitive issue or definitive series consisting of a range of denominations sufficient to cover all postal rates usefully. (An "issue" generally means a set that is put on sale all at the same time, while a "series" is spread out over several years, but the terms are not precise.)
The term came into general use after World War I, to differentiate the new countries' regular stamps from the provisional issues that had been in use in many places. Previously such stamps were simply referred to as "general" or "regular" issues, or simply not identified as such, but the issuance of commemorative stamps and "special issues" that had begun in the 1890s had led to a confused situation where countries were issuing large numbers of stamps that saw little actual use.
The range of values varies by era and country, but the focus is on coverage; the values should be sufficient to make up all possible charges using as few stamps as possible. Generally the smallest value will be the smallest unit of currency, or smallest fractional postal rate; for instance, the 1954 Liberty issue of the United States included a 1/2-cent stamp because some rates were expressed in fractions of a cent per ounce. The highest value of the series is generally quite large, typically from 50-100 times the normal letter rate; typical values include one pound, five dollars, etc. Not often seen by the average person, they are most common for parcels.
The in-between values are usually chosen to "make change" efficiently, for instance 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 in a decimal currency. It is common to include all values between 1 and 10, multiples of 5 from 10 to 50, and multiples of 10 from 50 to 100. Additional "oddball" values may reflect specific common rates, and if the series lasts for a period of time, there may be a number of such unusual values.
Definitives are the workhorse stamps of a country, and as such, they tend to be small, with designs reflecting local culture and history. The definitives of poorer countries will often be very plain and cheaply printed, unlike the large and decorative commemoratives, which are almost pure profit if bought by foreign collectors and never used for postage.
Since postal administrations know that stamp collectors want to own every stamp of a definitive series, and a complete series can be quite expensive, there is always the temptation to make some extra money by issuing new definitive sets as well as including stamps with very high face values in a set. Collectors' organizations have recommended that administrations only bring out new definitive issues no more often than every five years, and most administrations of the world follow this policy. An exception would be the death of a monarch, necessitating a new definitive series for the new ruler.
Since definitive series are issued over a period of time and are reprinted to meet postal demand, they often contain more variation than is typically found in stamps that have a single print run. Switching printing methods and experimenting with phosphors is a common source of variation in modern stamps, while differences watermarks and perforation are also prevalent, especially in older stamps. Many philatelists study these differences as part of their hobby and try to collect all the varieties of each stamp. Some varieties are particularly rare and can be more valuable than other copies of the same stamp that may look the same to the casual observer.
Special stamps, such as the Christmas stamps issued annually by various countries, are sometimes regarded as definitives because they are not commemoratives, but they typically only include a limited range of denominations relating specifically to the mail seen on the occasion for which they are issued.
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People in the UK used this George VI definitive prior to WWII.
The term came into general use after World War I, to differentiate the new countries' regular stamps from the provisional issues that had been in use in many places. Previously such stamps were simply referred to as "general" or "regular" issues, or simply not identified as such, but the issuance of commemorative stamps and "special issues" that had begun in the 1890s had led to a confused situation where countries were issuing large numbers of stamps that saw little actual use.
The range of values varies by era and country, but the focus is on coverage; the values should be sufficient to make up all possible charges using as few stamps as possible. Generally the smallest value will be the smallest unit of currency, or smallest fractional postal rate; for instance, the 1954 Liberty issue of the United States included a 1/2-cent stamp because some rates were expressed in fractions of a cent per ounce. The highest value of the series is generally quite large, typically from 50-100 times the normal letter rate; typical values include one pound, five dollars, etc. Not often seen by the average person, they are most common for parcels.
)
Iraq definitives of 1975 depict archaeological finds.
The in-between values are usually chosen to "make change" efficiently, for instance 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 in a decimal currency. It is common to include all values between 1 and 10, multiples of 5 from 10 to 50, and multiples of 10 from 50 to 100. Additional "oddball" values may reflect specific common rates, and if the series lasts for a period of time, there may be a number of such unusual values.
Definitives are the workhorse stamps of a country, and as such, they tend to be small, with designs reflecting local culture and history. The definitives of poorer countries will often be very plain and cheaply printed, unlike the large and decorative commemoratives, which are almost pure profit if bought by foreign collectors and never used for postage.
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This Prominent Americans series stamp of the US, from 1968, features Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Since postal administrations know that stamp collectors want to own every stamp of a definitive series, and a complete series can be quite expensive, there is always the temptation to make some extra money by issuing new definitive sets as well as including stamps with very high face values in a set. Collectors' organizations have recommended that administrations only bring out new definitive issues no more often than every five years, and most administrations of the world follow this policy. An exception would be the death of a monarch, necessitating a new definitive series for the new ruler.
Since definitive series are issued over a period of time and are reprinted to meet postal demand, they often contain more variation than is typically found in stamps that have a single print run. Switching printing methods and experimenting with phosphors is a common source of variation in modern stamps, while differences watermarks and perforation are also prevalent, especially in older stamps. Many philatelists study these differences as part of their hobby and try to collect all the varieties of each stamp. Some varieties are particularly rare and can be more valuable than other copies of the same stamp that may look the same to the casual observer.
Special stamps, such as the Christmas stamps issued annually by various countries, are sometimes regarded as definitives because they are not commemoratives, but they typically only include a limited range of denominations relating specifically to the mail seen on the occasion for which they are issued.
Notable definitives
- Argentina
- 1935-51 Patriots and Natural Resources Issue
- Australia
- kangaroo and map
- King George V series
- Canada
- Scroll issue
- Queen Elizabeth II issue
- Arch and maple leaf issue
- War issue
- Germany
- Women in German history series
- Greece
- Hermes Heads
- Mexico
- The Mexico Exporta Issue
- Norway
- Post horn series, issued since 1872
- Portugal
- Ceres series
- United Kingdom
- Wildings
- Machin heads
- United States
- Washington-Franklin series
- Presidential Issue
- Liberty issue
- Prominent Americans series
- Americana series
- Great Americans series
- Transportation coils
- New Zealand Scenic Series
See also
A postage stamp is evidence of pre-paying a fee for postal services. Usually a small paper rectangle or square that is attached to an envelope, the postage stamp signifies that the person sending the letter or package may have either fully, or perhaps partly, pre-paid for delivery.
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Clockwise from top: Trenches on the Western Front; a British Mark IV tank crossing a trench; Royal Navy battleship HMS Irresistible sinking after striking a mine at the Battle of the Dardanelles; a Vickers machine gun crew with gas masks, and German Albatros D.
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commemorative stamp is a postage stamp issued to honor or commemorate a place, event or person. Most postal services of the world issue several of these each year, often holding first day of issue ceremonies at locations connected with the subjects.
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Centuries: 18th century - 19th century - 20th century
1860s 1870s 1880s - 1890s - 1900s 1910s 1920s
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894
1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
- -
- The 1890s
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1860s 1870s 1880s - 1890s - 1900s 1910s 1920s
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894
1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
- -
- The 1890s
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Liberty issue was a definitive series of postage stamps issued by the United States. It consisted of a number of definitive stamps, ranging from a half cent issue showing Benjamin Franklin to a five dollar issue depicting Alexander Hamilton.
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Motto
"In God We Trust" (since 1956)
"E Pluribus Unum" ("From Many, One"; Latin, traditional)
Anthem
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"In God We Trust" (since 1956)
"E Pluribus Unum" ("From Many, One"; Latin, traditional)
Anthem
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Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects, such as covers (envelopes or packages with stamps on them). It is one of the world's most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of collectors ranging up to 20 million in the United States alone.
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A special stamp is a type of postage stamp typically intended for use on special occasions and holidays that occur repeatedly. Christmas stamps, with a seasonal design, and used in vast numbers to mail Christmas cards, are the most familiar, but in recent years a number of other
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Christmas stamps, postage stamps with a Christmas theme and intended for use on holiday mail such as Christmas cards. These stamps are regular postage stamps, unlike Christmas seals, and are valid for postage year-round.
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Motto
En unión y libertad (Spanish)
"In Union and Freedom"
Anthem
Himno Nacional Argentino
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En unión y libertad (Spanish)
"In Union and Freedom"
Anthem
Himno Nacional Argentino
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Anthem
Advance Australia Fair [1]
Capital Canberra
Largest city Sydney
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Advance Australia Fair [1]
Capital Canberra
Largest city Sydney
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This page is currently protected from editing until disputes have been resolved.
Protection is not an endorsement of the current [ version] ([ protection log]).
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Protection is not an endorsement of the current [ version] ([ protection log]).
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Queen Elizabeth II definitive stamp is a domestic rate stamp, issued by Canada Post, and bearing the image of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. Three versions of the stamp have been issued since 2003.
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Anthem
"Das Lied der Deutschen" (third stanza)
also called "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit"
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"Das Lied der Deutschen" (third stanza)
also called "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit"
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Women in German history (Frauen der deutschen Geschichte) is a definitive stamp series issued in the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin from 1986 to 1990, and in reunited Germany since 1990.
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Description
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Motto
Ελευθερία ή θάνατος
Eleftheria i thanatos
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Ελευθερία ή θάνατος
Eleftheria i thanatos
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Anthem
Himno Nacional Mexicano
Capital
(and largest city) Mexico City
Official languages Spanish (
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Himno Nacional Mexicano
Capital
(and largest city) Mexico City
Official languages Spanish (
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Motto
Anthem
Ja, vi elsker
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Royal: Alt for Norge ("Everything for Norway")
1814 Eidsvoll oath: Enige og tro til Dovre faller
("United and faithful until the mountains of Dovre crumble")
1814 Eidsvoll oath: Enige og tro til Dovre faller
("United and faithful until the mountains of Dovre crumble")
Anthem
Ja, vi elsker
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Anthem
"A Portuguesa"
Capital
(and largest city) Lisbon5
Official languages Portuguese1
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"A Portuguesa"
Capital
(and largest city) Lisbon5
Official languages Portuguese1
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Ceres series of Portuguese postage stamps is a definitive series depicting the Roman goddess Ceres that was issued between 1912 and 1945 in Portugal and its colonies.
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History and description
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Motto
"Dieu et mon droit" [2] (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
"God Save the Queen" [3]
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"Dieu et mon droit" [2] (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
"God Save the Queen" [3]
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Machin series of postage stamps are the common definitive stamps of the United Kingdom. Designed by Arnold Machin, they consist of simply a profile of Queen Elizabeth II and a denomination, almost always in a single colour.
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Motto
"In God We Trust" (since 1956)
"E Pluribus Unum" ("From Many, One"; Latin, traditional)
Anthem
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"In God We Trust" (since 1956)
"E Pluribus Unum" ("From Many, One"; Latin, traditional)
Anthem
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Presidential Issue, nicknamed the Prexies by collectors, is the series of definitive postage stamps issued in the United States in 1938, featuring all 29 U.S. presidents from George Washington through Calvin Coolidge.
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Liberty issue was a definitive series of postage stamps issued by the United States. It consisted of a number of definitive stamps, ranging from a half cent issue showing Benjamin Franklin to a five dollar issue depicting Alexander Hamilton.
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Prominent Americans series is a set of definitive stamps issued by the United States Post Office Department (and later the United States Postal Service) between 1965 and 1978.
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The Americana series was a series of United States definitive postage stamps issued between 1975 and 1981. Denominations ranged from one cent to five dollars. It superseded the Prominent Americans series, and was in turn superseded by the Great Americans series and the
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Great Americans series is a set of definitive stamps issued by the United States Postal Service, starting in 1980 with a 19¢ stamp depicting Sequoyah, and continuing through 2002, the final stamp being the 78¢ Alice Paul self-adhesive stamp.
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The Transportation Coils series is a set of definitive stamps issued by the United States Postal Service between 1981 and 1995. Officially dubbed the "Transportation Issue" or "Transportation Series", they have come to be called the "transportation coils" because all of the
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commemorative stamp is a postage stamp issued to honor or commemorate a place, event or person. Most postal services of the world issue several of these each year, often holding first day of issue ceremonies at locations connected with the subjects.
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