Papua New Guinea 2006 Queen Elizabeth II Birthday stamps

Papua New Guinea 2006 Queen Elizabeth II Birthday stamps

In 2006, Papua New Guinea issued a set of postage stamps honoring the work of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). SIL is a Christian non-profit organization that studies, documents, and assists in developing the world’s lesser-known languages, especially in areas where linguists have not previously worked.

The stamps were issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of SIL’s presence in Papua New Guinea, which began in 1956. SIL has played a significant role in documenting and preserving many of the country’s indigenous languages, of which there are over 800.

The set consists of four stamps, each featuring a different portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at various stages of her life:

• 2.50 Toea – Shows a young Princess Elizabeth in the 1940s, before her accession to the throne.
• 2.50 Kina – Depicts Queen Elizabeth II in the 1950s, around the time of her coronation in 1953.
• 2.50 Kina – Features a portrait of the Queen from the 1970s or 1980s, showing her in her middle years.
• 2.50 Kina – Portrays a more recent image of Queen Elizabeth II, likely from the early 2000s.

The stamps were designed by Denise Durkin and printed using lithography by SP Walsall Security Printers Ltd. in the United Kingdom. They are perforated and feature a mix of color and black-and-white portraits, reflecting the different eras captured in each image.

Each stamp includes the inscription “Papua New Guinea,” the denomination, and a caption indicating the Queen’s 80th birthday. The portraits are set against a simple background, ensuring that the focus remains on the Queen herself.

The use of multiple portraits spanning several decades of the Queen’s life is a common approach for stamp issues commemorating significant royal birthdays or anniversaries. It allows for a visual representation of the monarch’s journey and long reign.

For collectors, this set holds appeal as a celebration of a milestone birthday for one of the world’s longest-reigning monarchs. It is particularly relevant for those who collect stamps related to the British royal family, the Commonwealth, or Papua New Guinean issues.

As with most modern commemorative stamps, this set was issued in mint never hinged (MNH) condition. MNH stamps are highly prized by collectors as they are in the same pristine state as when they were first sold at the post office, with full gum and no traces of hinging or other disturbances.

It’s worth noting that Papua New Guinea, like many Commonwealth countries, has a long tradition of issuing stamps featuring the reigning British monarch. These stamps often serve a dual purpose, both as postage and as a symbol of the country’s historical and political ties to the United Kingdom.