Tariff change 2012

New Machin Definitive & Country stamps - 25 April 2012

Royal Mail announced its annual stamp price rises in late March and they take effect from 30 April 2012. The rate for 1st class stamps is no longer subject to control by the official government regulator (Ofcom) and Royal Mail have been allowed to raise the price of 2nd class mail well above the rate of inflation - 2nd class post rises from 36p to 50p and 1st class post rises from 46p to 60p.

The basic rates for Large Letters increase from 75p to 90p (1st class) and from 58p to 69p (2nd class) - satisfied by the existing NVIs.

International Rates also rise:

Basic Europe rate 20gr and postcards: +19p to 87p new orange stamp and country stamps.

Europe 40gr rate: increases from £1 to £1.28 new emerald green stamp and country stamps.

Worldwide 40gr rate: £1.90 up by 25p. New £1.90 rhododendron/amethyst stamp.

New Country Stamps valued 87p and £1.28 will be issued for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in existing designs and colours.

N.B. According to Royal Mail's KEY NEWS (Issue 5 2012) ...

'Diamond Jubilee Large Letter Definitive
This stamp will be issued as part of the Tariff issue on the 25 April 2012. Due to
reports of low stock levels, in some areas, of the Gold 1st Class Large Letter stamp
some Post Offices had started to sell the new Diamond Jubilee Large Letter Definitive
over recent days and weeks. This was an unauthorised early release of this stamp.
Post Office and its Branches have been reminded today that the current issue 1st
Class Large Letter stamp remains the Gold variety.'

However, reliable philatelic blogs reveal a slightly more complex situation regarding where and when the different versions (there are 3) went on sale in reality.

The 3 versions can be identified by their different security codes ...

Retail booklet of 4 - This has the lettering [JUBI]LFE to the right of the Queen's head, with the usual 'F' for (book of) four.