Two plates were used for the 4d value. The yellow printings were from plate 20 as were the violet printings from 1916 until the middle of 1926. From July 1926 printings were from plate 44 and were usually in a deep purple.
4d re-entries
Two unusual re-entries exist in stamps from plate 20.
Impressions for different values were held on the transfer roller used to lay down the plates. The 4d impression had the 2½d and the 4½d values as neighbours and the impression for the 4½d was used in error to lay down the impression in position Row 1/6 while the impression for the 2½d was used in position Row 4/10.
Although these positions were re-entered with the correct impression, traces of the original remain.
2½d entered in error
2½d entered in error and normal
At Row 4/10, parts of the 2½ can be seen in the printed stamps.
The foot of the 2 is clearly visible in the top
left hand value tablet while remains of the ½ are visible in the scrollwork.
4½d entered in error
4½d entered in error and normal
The traces of the 4½d at Row 1/6 are less clear. There is a
vertical line to the top left of the 4 and another vertical line within
the scrollwork.
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The above information is taken from The Postage Stamps of New Zealand Vols 1 and 2, published by the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand in 1938 and 1950 respectively. All scans were made by the author.