GB Wales // Regional Definitives // Philately

Welsh Regional Wilding Definitive Postage Stamps First introduced in 1958 and in use until 1971. All stamps feature the photographic portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II taken in February 1952 by English society photographer Dorothy Wilding (* 1893, † 1976).
First issue on 18 August/29 September 1958 Chalk-surface paper; watermark »multiple crowns«; perf 15x14
	08/1958	09/1958	09/1958	Watermark Multiple Crowns
Additional issues in 1966 - 1967 Chalk-surface paper; watermark »multiple crowns«; phosphor bands; perf 15x14
	05/1967 centre band	02/1966 no bands	10/1967 2 bands	03/1967 2 bands
Additional issues in 1967 - 1969 Chalk-surface paper; no watermark; phosphor bands; perf 15x14
12/1967 centre band	06/1968 2 bands	09/1968 centre band	02/1969 centre band	09/1968 2 bands	08/1969 2 bands
Welsh Regional Definitives from Prestige Stamp Book (#DX43) or Miniature Sheet (#MSNI153) 50th Anniversary of the Regional Definitives issued on 29 September 2008

	Reprinted designs as 1958 issues, but with contemporary NVI 1st class denomination, elliptical perforation 15x14 and two phosphor bands View more ...			Special Postmark
Description of the stamp images Each stamp shows the Welsh Dragon below the Queen's portrait. Face values: 3/4/5d: The Queen's portrait is flanked on both sides by Leek leafs inscribed »POSTAGE« on the left and »REVENUE« on the right side. 6/9d: The Queen's portait is enclosed by the words »POSTAGE« and »REVENUE« in two side panels down the length of the stamp. 1s3d/1s6d: The Welsh Dragon is flanked to the right by a Common Leek [Allium ampeloprasum] plant. The words »POSTAGE« and »REVENUE« are included to the left and right of the Queen's portrait.

Cymraeg/Welsh Regional Machin Definitive Postage Stamps The stamps with decimal denomination were first introduced in 1971 and in use until 1999. The stamps feature as a prominent eye-catcher the portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II after the plaster cast created by English sculptor Arnold Machin (* 1911, † 1999). The heraldic icon of the »Welsh Dragon« in the upper left corner of the stamps represents Cymru/Wales. Moving the mouse-pointer over a stamp image displays the SG catalogue number of the stamp and the characterization of its colour.
First Series 07/1971 - 07/1980 Printed in photogravure by Harrison on chalk-surfaced paper phosphor bands (or phosphorised paper); P 15x14
	centre band	2 bands	2 bands	2 bands
	First set of stamps issued on 07 July 1971
01/1974 centre band	01/1974 2 bands & 05/1975 centre band Denomination printed in high or low at left high position - at right low position position	11/1974 2 bands	01/1976 centre band	01/1978 centre band	01/1978 2 bands
	Above/below - Selection of stamps out of 22 issues in 1974 - 1980

	10/1976 2 bands 07/1980 center band	07/1980 - printed on phosphorised paper
Second Series 04/1981 - 08/1993 Printed in lithography by House of Questa phosphorised paper (or with phosphor bands); P 15x14 (or P 14); Dragon type II (or type I) Redrawn design of the dragon on litho printing since 01/1986.
	Type I The eye is clearly visible, the wingtips are separated from the wings, The tongue, tail and claws are thin.		Type II redrawn Stylised eye , wingtips are joined to the wings, wider tongue, tail and claws
	View more
Below - Selection of stamps with noteworthy mention out of 47 issues in 1981 - 1993
04/1981 Type I P 14 - left band	02/1982 Type I left band & 01/1984 P 14 - P 15x14	02/1982 & 01/1987 Type I - Type II P 14 - P 15x14	04/1983 Type I & 01/1984 P 14 - P 15x14	04/1983 & 01/1987 Type I - Type II P 14 - P 15x14	10/1984 left band & 10/1987 Type I - Type II & 04/1987 Type I - Type II short left band
10/1984 & 08/1986 Type I - Type II scarce - £55	01/1987	11/1988 centre band	11/1989 centre band	12/1990 centre band	11/1989
12/1991 centre band & 01/1993 P 15x14 - P 14 P 14	12/1991 & 10/1992 P 15x14 - P 14 P 14	08/1993 left band	08/1993 2 bands	02/1992 center band or right band	02/1992 php or 2 bands
P 14 was caused by the use of a reverse perforating machine for some printings (trade price £8).		Only available from booklet SG# DX15 View more		(Only) available from booklet SG# DX13 View more
Third Series 12/1993 - 07/1996 Printed in lithography by House of Questa chalk-surfaced paper; blue (or yellow) phosphor bands; P 15x14 (with one elliptical hole in each vertical side)
	12/1993 centre band & 10/1995 centre band & 04/1995 right band only from PSB	12/1993 2 bands & 07/1995 2 bands & 04/1995 2 bands only from PSB & 05/1996 2 bands only from PSB	12/1993 2 bands	12/1993 2 bands & 10/1994 2 bands
	View PSB more
	07/1996 centre band	07/1996 2 bands	07/1996 2 bands	07/1996 2 bands
Final Series 07/1997 - 10/1998; 02/2000 Printed in EME/photogravure by Walsall (or Harrison) chalk-surfaced paper; phosphor bands; P 15x14 (or P 14) (both with one elliptical hole* in each vertical side)* Currency sign »p«(ence) omitted on stamps for cause of bilingual compatibility of the denomination.
07/1997 P 15x14 centre band & 10/1998 P 14 P 14 - right band only from PSB View more	07/1997 P 15x14 2 bands & 10/1998 P 14 P 14 - 2 bands only from PSB View more & 09/1997 printed by Harrison (ex PSB) View more	07/1997 2 bands & 09/1997 printed by Harrison (ex PSB) View more	07/1997 2 bands	02/2000 P 14 - 2 bands only from PSB View more Bilingual denomination 1 AF - Welsh 1 ST - English	Red Dragon of Cymru - Wales

Pictorial Welsh Country Definitive Postage Stamps

First introduced in 1999 and in use to the present today.

The stamps appeared in a completly new design, comprising national icons as a predominant feature
and a small silver-coloured contour of the head of HM Queen Elizabeth II in the upper right corner.

PSBs comprising Welsh pictorial Country Definitives at a glance

Please

click

First series 06/1999 - 2002

Full bleed printing in photogravure by Walsall or De La Rue (DLR),
phosphor bands (centre band [2nd], 2 bands others),
P 15x14 or P 14 (with one elliptical hole in each vertical side)

FDI Special Postmark
Edinburgh
8 6 1999

Leek
[bilingual AIL/ND]

06/1999
centre band
printed by Walsall

& 05/2003
printed by DLR

Welsh Dragon
[bilingual AF/ST]

06/1999
2 bands
printed by Walsall

& 03/2003
printed by DLR

Daffodil

06/1999
2 bands
E(uropean airmail rate, 30p)

Prince of
Wales Feathers

06/1999
2 bands

FDI Special Postmark
[bilingual]
Caerdydd - Cardiff
8 6 1999

Bilingual inscription on stamps and postmarks
Welsh: Diwrnod Cyhoeddi Cyntaf // English: First Day of Issue

FDI Special Postmark
Edinburgh
18.9.2000

09/2000
right band
P 14
printed by DLR (only from PSB)

View

PSB

FDI Special Postmark
[bilingual]
Llangernyw, Abergele
18.9.2000

07/2002
2 bands
printed by DLR

Second series 10/2003 - 2010

Printed in photogravure with white border and white contour of the head of
HM Queen Elizabeth II by De La Rue (DLR) or Walsall,
phosphor bands (centre band [2nd], 2 bands others),
P 15x14 (with one elliptical hole in each vertical side)

10/2003
centre band

10/2003
2 bands

04/2005
2 bands
printed by Walsall
& 05/2005
printed by DLR

04/2005
2 bands
& 03/2007
(from PSB)

View

PSB

03/2010
2 bands

... and other denominations

Third series 09/2007 - 2017

Printed in lithography by Cartor or Enschedé or De La Rue (DLR),
phosphor bands (centre band [2nd], 2 bands others),
P 15x14 (with one elliptical hole in each vertical side)

01/2013
centre band

01/2013
2 bands
printed by Cartor

Stamps from PSBs

& 09/2007
& 07/2014
2 bands, 11 mm
printed by Enschedé

& 09/2008
2 bands, 4 mm
printed by DLR
& 04/2016
printed by Cartor

View PSB issues

03/2014
2 bands

... and other denominations

04/2012
2 bands

... and other denominations

Flag of Wales
Red Dragon

2 bands
elliptical P 14½x14

Stamps from PSBs

05/2013
& 06/2016
printed by Cartor

& 02/2014
printed by Enschedé

View PSB issues

FDI Special Postmark
[bilingual]

Y
DDRAIG GOCH
DDYRY CYHWYN

THE RED DRAGON
IS OUR
INSPIRATION

(Welsh // English)

Fourth series - New Font 03/2017 to the present day

The new typeface now used for all Country definitives is the same as on the Machin definitives,
and brings the lower values in line with the airmail values.

Old font »Unica« (image left) - New font »Chevin« (image right)

03/2018
centre band

03/2018
2 bands

03/2017
2 bands

... and other denominations

Fifth series - Barcode - 08/2022 to the present day

On 11 August 2022 Royal Mail introduced the pictorial Country definitives with a barcode added.
Each stamp includes a unique »2D-barcode« , also known as »Data Matrix« or »QR Code« [Quick Response],
printed in matching colour alongside the main body of the stamp with a simulated perforation line.
The self-adhesive stamps are printed in lithography by Cartor Security Printers (CSP).
Stamp size 39mm x 30mm, elliptical perforation 15 x 14.5, phosphor bars as appropriate.

08/2022 - centre band

NVI 2^AIL/ND class

Leek
National emblem ,

vegetable

Symbol of Wales
Leek

, military

badge »Leek«-badges on uniforms of Welsh
military units in the British Army

08/2022 - 2 bands

NVI 1^AF/ST class

Welsh Dragon - Y Ddraig Goch
National emblem &

flag

The National Flag of
Wales

Please click on symbols

08/2022 - 2 bands

Denomination ^£1.85
Daffodil - Cenhinen Bedr
National emblem &

flower

Symbol of Wales
Daffodil

2D barcode
(data matrix)

Each barcoded stamp will have a digital twin and the two will be connected by the Royal Mail App. The unique barcodes will facilitate operational efficiencies, enable the introduction of added security features and pave the way for innovative services for the Royal Mail's customers. The new barcode is an integral part of the stamp and must remain intact for the stamp to be valid. The new barcoded stamps enable you to watch and share an exclusive

»Shaun the Sheep«

Animated cartoon film
Poster Please

click ...

video via the »Data Matrix Code«

itself using the Royal Mail App. You or the recipient can watch the video just by scanning the stamp barcode using our App. More videos will be added over the coming months.

CYMRU WYCH - GLORIOUS WALES Illustrated Post Office Label Sheet composed of 2x10 NVI 1AF/ST Class Welsh Country Definitives »Welsh Dragon« with attached labels featuring country sceneries. Althoug the images of the labels are the same on both sides of the sheet they are distinguished from the inscription's language. The labels on the left-hand are inscribed in Welsh and the oppowe ones in English language. View Sheet
Pont Grog y Porth, Ynys Môn Menai Suspension Bridge, Isle of Anglesey Please click	Caerphilly Castle - Castell Caerffili Please click
Pen Pyrod o Dwyndir Rhosili, Penrhyn Gwyr Worms Head, Rhossili, Gower Peninsula Please click	Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, Caerdydd Please click
Abaty Tyndryn, Sir Fynwy Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire Please click	Second Severn Crossing Bridge Ali Bont Hafren Please click
Cofeb Ryfel i'r Morwyr Masnachol, Caerdydd Merchant Seafarer's War Memorial, Cardiff	Cader Idris, Gwynedd, Snowdonia Cader Idris, Gwynedd, Eryri Please click
Sgwd ym Mannau Brycheiniog Waterfall in the Brecon Beacons Please click	Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd Castell Caernarfon, Gwynedd Please click
SG# LS37 // 01 March 2007 // Label Sheet GLORIOUS WALES Printed in lithography by Cartor self-adhesive, P 15x14 (without* elliptical holes)*
GLORIOUS UNITED KINGDOM Illustrated Post Office Label Sheet composed of 20 NVI 1st Class Country Definitives, five stamps for each of the four countries, with attached labels featuring country sceneries. (The Welsh stamps have a bilingual caption) View Sheet
Cynulliad Cymru, Caerdydd Welsh Assembly, Cardiff Please click	Castell Harlech, Gwynedd Harlech Castle, Gwynedd Please click
Tonypandy, Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Please click	Capel Sant Gofan, Sir Benfro St. Gofan's Chapel, Pembrokeshire Please click
Helvetia Rhosili, Abertawe, Penrhyn Gwyr Helvetia Rhosilli, Swansea, Gower Peninsula Please click	SG# LS49 // 29 September 2008 // Label Sheet GLORIOUS UNITED KINGDOM - WALES Printed in lithography by Cartor, P 15x14 (with elliptical hole in each vertical side), self-adhesive

CESTYLL CYMRU - CASTLES of WALES Illustrated Post Office Label Sheet composed of 2x10 NVI 1AF/ST Class Welsh Country Definitives »Red Dragon Flag« with attached labels featuring Welsh castles. Althoug the images of the labels are the same on both sides of the sheet they are distinguished from the inscription's language. The labels on the left-hand are inscribed in Welsh and the opposite ones in English language. View Sheet
Castell Caernarfon, Gwynedd Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd Please click	Carreg Cennen Castle, Carmarthenshire Castell Carreg Cennen, Sir Gaerfyrddin Please click
Castell Biwmares, Ynys Môn Beaumares Castle, Isles of Anglesey Please click	Criccieth Castle, Gwynedd Castell Cricieth, Gwynedd Please click
Castell Harlech, Gwynedd Harlech Castle, Gwynedd Please click	Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire Castell Cas-Gwent, Sir Fynwy Please click
Castell Dinefwr, Llandeilo, Sir Gaerfyrddin Dinefwr Castle, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire Please click	Dolbadarn Castle, Gwynedd Castell Dolbadarn, Gwynedd Please click
Castell Dolwyddelan, Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy Dolwyddelan Castle, Conwy County Borough Please click	Conwy Castle, Conwy, Gwynedd Castell Conwy, Conwy, Gwynedd Please click
SG# LS71 // 01 March 2010 // Label Sheet CASTLES of SCOTLAND Printed in lithography by Cartor, self-adhesive, P 15x14 (with one elliptical hole in each vertical side)

A BRITISH JOURNEY - CYMRU - WALES Special Postage Stamps related to Cymru - Wales Bilingual stamp inscriptions
Pont Abermaw, Cymru Barmouth Bridge, Wales	Hyddgen, Pumlumon, Cymru Hyddgen, Plynlimon, Wales Stamp includes the »EUROPA« emblem	Bannau Brycheiniog, Cymru Brecon Beacons, Wales Stamp includes the »EUROPA« emblem	Pen-Pych, Cwm Rhondda, Cymru Pen-Pych, Rhonda Valley, Wales
FDI Special Postmark	Rhewl, Glyn Dyfrdwy, Cymru Rhewl, Dee Valley, Wales	Traeth Marloes, Cymru Marloes Sand, Wales	FDI Special Postmark^[1]
^[1] The postmark at the right commemorates the worldwide longest village and railway station name in Welsh [Celtic] language, located on the Welsh island of Anglesey [Ynys Môn] . The sign at the railway station shows an approximation of the correct pronunciation for English speakers. The sesquipedalian of the Welsh [Celtic] language translated to the English language reads as follows:
SG# 2466 - 2471 // 15 June 2004 // Stamp Set of 6 A British Journey Sceneries of Wales Printed in photogravure by De La Rue, Perforation 14½, one center phosphor band (2nd), »all-over«phosphor (1st), two bands others
SG# PM14 // 15 June 2004 // £1.68 Retail Booklet A British Journey Hyddgen, Pumlumon, Cymru - Hyddgen, Plynlimon, Wales Stamp includes the »EUROPA« emblem Printed in photogravure by De La Rue, »all-over« phosphor (#2472), 2 bands (#2295) Die-cut 14½, Self-adhesive stamps 2 x 1st Class (#2472) and 4 x 1st Class (#2295)

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Union flag which represents England, Scotland and Northern Ireland	England Cross of St. George	Wales - Cymru Welsh Dragon	Scotland Cross of St. Andrew (The Saltire)	Northern Ireland Tuaisceart Éireann Norlin Airlann Cross of St. Patrick	Northern Ireland Ulster banner Meirge Uladh (unofficially)
Please click on flags to learn more ...

	The Four Countries of the UK Royal Mail - Post Brenhinol The regional Country Definitive and country-related Special postage stamps
Until today Royal Mail has issued three series of Country definitive stamps (formerly know as »Regional Issues«) to reflect the regional identity of the United Kingdom's Home Countries.
For a detailed view of the various stamp images please refer to the corresponding country page.

	Emblem of the Welsh Assembly
SG# MSW143 // 01 March 2006 // Miniature Sheet Opening of New Welsh Assembly [Senned] Building, Cardiff Horizonzal strip of five se-tenant pictorial Welsh country definitives 2 x (68) Prince of Wales Feathers, 2 x (1st) Welsh Dragon, 1 x (2nd) Leek Printed in photogravure by De La Rue, P 15x14 with elliptical holes, one centre phosphorband (2nd), 2 phoshor bands others

FDI Special Postmark		FDI Special Postmark
SG# MSNI147 // 26 February 2009 // Miniature Sheet Dathlu Cymru - Celebrating Wales (1st) Red Dragon Flag - (81) St. David, Patron Saint of Wales (81) National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff - (1st) Welsh Dragon Printed in lithography by De La Rue, 2 phoshor bands, P 15x14 with elliptical holes (1st), P 14½x14 (81)