New Zealand stamp year 1903 – 6 shillings MH stamp
The New Zealand $\mathbf{6}$ shillings stamp from $\mathbf{1903}$ is a high-value stamp that was part of the definitive series still featuring Queen Victoria’s portrait, despite King Edward VII having ascended the throne in $\text{1901}$.
Here are the key details for this issue:
Stamp Details
| Feature | Description |
| Monarch/Design | Queen Victoria (Head in $\text{Octagonal}$ Frame) |
| Denomination | $\mathbf{6}$ Shillings ($\text{6s}$ or $\text{6/-}$) |
| Color | The specific color is often described as Claret or Deep Claret (a dark reddish-purple color). |
| Series | Definitives of $\text{1898}-\text{1903}$ (often referred to as the $\text{Queen Victoria}$ side-face issue printed in London by De La Rue). |
| Watermark | Crown and $\text{NZ}$ ($\text{New Zealand}$) |
| Perforation | $\text{12}$ or compound perforations (e.g., $\text{12} \times \text{11}$) |
| Catalog Number (Scott) | Scott $\mathbf{107}$ (The high-value stamps of this series are grouped, and $\text{107}$ corresponds to the $\text{6s}$ Claret). |
| Catalog Number (SG) | SG $\mathbf{329}$ (Stanley Gibbons) |
Context
- High Value: The $\text{6}$ shillings was one of the highest postal values issued at the time, typically used for parcels or high-rate overseas mail, which accounts for its relative scarcity.
- Transition Period: The continued use of Queen Victoria’s portrait ($\text{QV}$) for definitive issues until King Edward VII’s own definitive series was released in $\text{1909}$ is common in British colonial philately during the transition of monarchs.
- Color Variations: As with many stamps of this era, the exact shade of the $\text{6}$ shillings can vary, with catalog listings distinguishing between shades of claret and deep claret.
For an accurate valuation, the stamp’s condition (used or unused/mint) and any specific shade or printing varieties (often listed as ‘a’, ‘b’, etc., in catalogs) would need to be determined by a philatelic expert.
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