There are four shilling values, 1/-, 1/3, 2/- and 3/-. They were printed by De La Rue and issued on 1 May, 1947.
The centre plate design is the same for all values. Four centre plates were used: 1, 2, 3A and 4. Plate 1 was used for the 1/- and 2/- values, plate 2 for the 1/3 and 3/- values, plate 3A for the 1/-, 1/3 and 3/- values and plate 4 for the 1/- and 1/3 values.
Each value has different frame plates. There is only one frame plate for each of the 2/- and 3/- values (plate 1) while the 1/- and 1/3 values have two frame plates (1 and 2).
Centre plate dies
There are two centre plate dies. Die 1 was used in plate 1 while die 2 was used in plates 2, 3A and 4. The shading behind the King's head is much heavier in die 2 as can be seen in the example plate blocks.
For the 1/- value, centre plate 1 (die 1) occurs in combination with frame plate 1 while centre plates 3A and 4 (die 2) are in combination with frame plate 2.
1/- stamps from die 1 exist with both sideways and with upright
watermarks while the watermark with die 2 is always upright.
1/3 frame dies
The centre plate of the 1/3 value is always die 2.
The two frame plates for the 1/3 value differ in that there is a constant flaw in plate 2 due to damage in the transfer roller. It results in a break in a line in the ornamental panel.
Frame plate 1 occurs in combination with centre plates 2
and 3A while frame plate 2 occurs in combination with centre
plates 3A and 4.
The watermark of stamps printed from frame plate 1 is always sideways while stamps from frame plate 2 exist with both sideways and with upright watermarks.
Two and three shillings
The 2/- value only exists with frame and centre plates both 1, i.e. the centre is always die 1.
It occurs with both an upright and with a sideways watermark.
The three shillings exists with centre plates 2 and 3A, i.e.
the centre is always die 2.
It always has a sideways watermark.
back next
The above information is taken from The Postage Stamps of New Zealand Vols 2 and 4, published by the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand in 1950 and 1964. All scans were made by the author.