1954 Queen Elizabeth II Official

		Cat.	Mint	Hinged	Used
1d	Orange	93a	$0.95	$0.75	$0.40
1½d	Brown	93b	$2.65	$2.25	$1.60
2d	Green	93c	$1.50	$1.15	$0.40
2½d	Overprinted On 2d Green (Issued 1961)	93d	$1.90	$1.60	$1.50
2½d	Olive (Issued 1963)	93e	$4.50	$2.40	$0.75
3d	Red	93f	$0.75	$0.40	$0.40
4d	Blue	93g	$2.65	$1.50	$0.40
6d	Overprinted On 1½d Brown (Issued 1959)	93h	$2.65	$1.90	$1.15
9d	Red	93i	$7.50	$3.75	$2.40
1/-	Purple	93j	$5.65	$3.00	$0.55
3/-	Grey (Issued 1963)	93k	$67.50	$44.00	$76.00
	Set Of 11	93l	$93.30	$59.55	$81.25

From the late 1940s, James Berry had proposed that Official Government stamps should have their own design - along the lines of the Government Life Insurance issues. James produced sample designs featuring native flowers and eventually the New Zealand Post Office agreed but opted for a simple design featuring the Queen's head. This made the 1954 Official issue unique as the only issue designed specifically for government department use. All previous Official stamps were over-prints of the then current definitive or pictorial issue and this was the last New Zealand Official issue. Stamps for general official purposes ceased altogether when this issue was withdrawn in March 1965.

The stamps feature a side portrait of Queen Elizabeth II against a background pattern of the letters 'NZ'. Close examination reveals James Berry's skill as a master stamp designer and engraver.

The three shilling stamp, which was used for parcels and the issuing of summonses, was only on sale for two years and is relatively scarce.

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