Stamps Celebrate Queen Elizabeth Ii Coronation

Stamps Celebrate Queen Elizabeth Ii Coronation

New Zealand Post is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II by reproducing the stamps issued to commemorate the event in 1953.

Originally designed by James Berry and Leonard Cornwell Mitchell, the stamps have been updated with a change of denomination and the year 2003 micro-printed on each stamp.

Stamps Business General Manager Ivor Masters said that New Zealand Post was proud to commemorate 50 years since the Queen's Coronation.

"Queen Elizabeth II is part of New Zealand's heritage and the Queen Elizabeth II - 50th Anniversary of the Coronation stamp issue is a tribute to her role in our history.

"The Coronation was a magnificent occasion steeped in age-old traditions and the five stamps remind us of the enormity of the event," said Mr Masters.

Buckingham Palace, which was the focal point for the post-Coronation celebrations, is on the 40-cent stamp. The 90-cent stamp - Coronation 1953 - features the Queen wearing the Crown Jewels, an essential part of any Royal celebration.

One of the most spectacular coaches ever built - the Gold State Coach - adorns the $1.30 stamp. Westminster Abbey, the venue for almost every British sovereign's coronation since William the Conqueror, is featured on the $1.50 stamp.

The $2.00 stamp - Crown and Royal Sceptre - depicts St Edward's Crown and the Sovereign's Sceptre, which were made in 1661 for the Coronation of Charles II. Both are made of solid gold and encrusted with hundreds of precious gems.

In addition to the stamp issue New Zealand Post is also issuing two special commemorative coins on behalf of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand - one for the Anniversary of the Coronation and the other commemorates the Golden Jubilee.

The stamps and related products were printed by Southern Colour Print, Dunedin. They will be available from New Zealand Post retail outlets - PostShops and Books & more stores, Regional Stamps Centres, the Wanganui Stamps Centre and the stamps website, http://www.stamps.co.nz from Wednesday 4 June 2003. The commemorative coins are available from the Stamps Centre or from the New Zealand Post Stamps website.

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