28 February 2024
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Guernsey Post have released their latest Post & Go stamps, featuring the Coat of Arms of Guernsey, the official symbol of the island.
About the Post & Go: Guernsey Coat of Arms stamps
Guernsey’s new Post & Go stamps were released in February of this year and designed by Anni Bisson. The 6 stamps have been assigned different postage values for Guernsey, UK post, EU post and rest of world post, and show the Crest of Guernsey on a back drop of different Guernsey landscapes.
The GY letter stamp shows Fort Grey, known locally as the ‘Cup and Saucer’, which was built in 1804 to defend Guernsey’s west coast. The GY large letter stamp shows a selection of the island’s wild flowers. One of the UK value stamps has been titled ‘Curious Guernsey’ and depicts a cow, whilst the other has been dubbed ‘Fishing at dawn’ and shows a boat in the early hours at sea. The European letter stamp depicts Castle Breakwater Lighthouse, which was built in the 1800’s in response to a possible invasion by French forces under Napoleon. The ROW stamp shows rockpooling at Cobo, which is a popular tourist spot on the island.
Related article: Guernsey Post & Go Stamps 2019: Guernsey Flags
Collectors wanting to get their hands on the new Post & Go stamps from Guernsey Post can purchase them directly from their website. Prices for Collectors Strips start at £7.51. Other items available in this stamp issue include a presentation pack and first day cover.
Above: The new Post & Go stamps show the Crest of Guernsey on a back drop of landscapes of the island
What are Post & Go stamps?
Post & Go stamps are self-adhesive stamps with a variable rate postage. Royal Mail introduced them in the UK in 2008. Post & Go stamps have also been issued in Jersey since 2014 and Guernsey, Gibraltar and Qatar since 2015.
There are 2 main groups of Post & Go stamps, those without an imprinted value which are commonly used for letters and postcards to be sent via First Class, Second Class or Air Mail. The other group are stamps for services like small parcels and heavier letters, where the price is dependent on weight.
Above: The new Post & Go stamps can be purchased as a First Day Cover
The Coat of Arms of Guernsey
The Coat of Arms of Guernsey is the official symbol of the channel island of Guernsey and depicts 3 lions on a red crest. The crest originates from 1279 when a single seal was despatched by Edward I to his Bailiff in Guernsey bearing the Royal Arms.
Above: The set of 6 stamps can be purchased as a Collectors Strip
The coat of arms has changed somewhat over time. In 1832, Bailiff Daniel de Lisle Brock commissioned a replacement seal and the lions became caricatures of sorts and the heads took on the shape of a shield with little to no mane. In 1834, Bailiff Sir Edgar MucCulloch reverted the depiction of the lions to the traditional heraldic representation.