Malta 2015
"Reprint of some definitive stamps from 2009"
| Issue Date | 21.04.2015 |
| ID | Michel: Scott: Stanley Gibbons: Yvert et Tellier: Category: pR |
| Design | Edward Pirotta and Paul Psaila |
| Stamps in set | 3 |
| Value | 1c - Skeleton of Prehistoric animal (Pleistocene Epoch) 2c - Ruins of stone temple (Early Temple Period) 5c - Carved stone pattern (Late Temple Period) |
| Emission/Type | definitive |
| Issue place | |
| Size (width x height) | 44 mm x 31 mm |
| Layout | Mini-Sheets of 10 stamps |
| Products | None |
| Paper | Maltese Cross watermarked |
| Perforation | 14 x 14 |
| Print Technique | offset |
| Printed by | Printex Ltd |
| Quantity | 1c - 1.200.000 stamps |
| Issuing Authority | Malta Post p.l.c. |
On April 21st, 2015, Malta Post announced another reprint of some stamps from the definitive set from 2009. This reprint consisted of 500.000 of each stamp, in Mini-sheets of 10 stamps bearing sheet numbers as follows:
- Euro cent 1, depicting fossilized skeleton of a dwarf elephant. The Mini-Sheet numbers: 160001-210000.
- Euro cent 2, depicting ruins of stone temple. The Mini-Sheet numbers: 040001–090000.
- Euro cent 5, depicting carved stone pattern. The Mini-Sheet numbers: 020001–070000.
There is only one stamp in the Mini-Sheet with a visible difference
compared to the stamp from 2011: The logo of Malta Post is located above the stamp in the top-left corner of the Mini-sheet on the selvage. The logo on the 2015 Mini-sheet is smaller and the word “post” is written in a more orange color. Other differences can be observed from comparing these two stamps:
- Stamps from 2015 are blacker in color than the stamps from 2011.
- The text “Pleistocene Period” in the upper left corner of the stamp is closer to the margin in the 2015 stamp. (see image on the right side).
- The white margins around the stamp design are different in thickness between the issues. The 2011 version has a thicker white margin at the bottom of the stamp, while the 2015 stamp has a thicker margin at the top of the stamp. (see image below).
References
Technical details and official press release: Malta Post
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Dr. Peter Voice, PhD Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, USA, for reviewing of a draft of this article.