Hong Kong stamps year 1973 Queen Elizabeth Used set
In 1973, Hong Kong released a major new definitive series featuring Queen Elizabeth II. This set is highly recognizable because it moved away from the traditional “Wilding” or “Annigoni” portraits and introduced a modern bas-relief (coin-like) silhouette of the Queen, similar to the British “Machin” design.
1. The 1973 Definitive Series
This was the first definitive series for Hong Kong since 1962. It is often referred to by collectors as the “1973 Machin Issue.”
| Denomination | Color | Scott / SG # |
| 10¢ | Orange-red & Brown | Scott 275 / SG 283 |
| 50¢ | Blue & Dark Blue | Scott 279 / SG 287 |
| $1 | Magenta & Purple | Scott 282 / SG 290 |
| $2 | Olive-green & Black | Scott 285 / SG 293 |
| $5 | Blue & Black | Scott 286 / SG 294 |
| $10 | Dark Green & Black | Scott 287 / SG 295 |
- Design: The Queen’s head appears in a white silhouette (bas-relief) against a solid colored background.
- Watermark: Many used copies from 1973 feature the Crown Spiral CA watermark, though earlier prints have the Crown Block CA.
2. 1973 Commemorative Issues
If your stamp is not a standard definitive (small, square-ish head), it likely belongs to one of these two commemorative sets issued that year:
- Year of the Ox (Jan 1973): Two stamps (10¢ and $1.30) featuring a stylized ox.
- Scott 270–271
- Royal Wedding (Nov 1973): Two stamps (10¢ and $2.00) commemorating the marriage of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips.
- Scott 288–289
3. Market Value (Used Condition)
Most used Hong Kong stamps from 1973 are common, as they were used during a period of high economic growth and significant mail volume.
