The George V Downey Head Issue

1911-1912

A presentation of the ½^d green

About the stamps

These George V stamps, the first of which were issued on Coronation Day 22^nd June 1911, were meant to be the first of a series but plans to issue the remaining stamps were abandoned because the quality of the impressions was so poor.

The ½^d stamp was issued in two Dies: Die 1A and Die 1B being a deepened die from which fresh plates were made; and Die 2 made from the original Die 1A.

The stamps were issued during 1911 and 1912 and three watermarked papers were used: the Crown, the Simple Cypher and the Multiple Cypher.

This presentation shows many of the varieties, both colour and printing flaw, that make this issue such an absorbing one for the collector specialising in George V stamps from Great Britain.

About the collector

Michael Dodd has been collecting stamps since his early teenage years.

His collecting interests include all Great Britain reigns although his specialist interest is with the stamps of George V.

Since 2001 he has maintained the website www.cddstamps.com (Commemorative Definitive Decimal stamps) and encouraged collectors around the world to participate and enjoy the hobby.

Michael Dodd, Sydney, Australia. December 2004