The Queen's 95th Birthday

Overview

In 2021, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 95th birthday. Monarch of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms, Her Majesty was born on 21 April 1926 at the home of her maternal grandparents in Mayfair, London. She acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 and is now both the longest living and longest reigning monarch in British history.

In Australia, the Queen’s Birthday is marked with an annual public holiday on the second Monday in June, in most states and territories. In Queensland and Western Australia, however, the monarch’s birthday is celebrated later in the year. In 2021, Western Australia will mark the occasion on Monday 27 September, and Queensland on Monday 4 October. This issue coincides with these celebrations.

Technical specifications

Issue date: 21 September 2021
Issue withdrawal date: 31 March 2022
Denomination: $1.10 x 1, $3.50 x 1
Stamp design: Keith Downes, Australia Post Design Studio
Product design: Keith Downes, Australia Post Design Studio
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russell Red Phos.
Paper: self-adhesive: Securpost C-Print 100
Printer: EGO
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size $1.10 (mm): 37.5 x 26
Stamp size $3.50 (mm): 30 x 50
Minisheet size (mm): 135 x 80
Perforations: 13.86 x 14.6 ($1.10); 14 x 14.4 ($3.50)
Sheet layout: Module of 50 ($1.10) and 25 ($3.50)
FDI Postmark: Elizabeth SA 5112
FDI withdrawal date: 20 October 2021

Stamps in this issue

$1.10 The Queen visits the Royal Philatelic Society

The photograph on the domestic stamp was taken in November 2019 during Her Majesty’s visit to the new headquarters of the Royal Philatelic Society in London, which was first established in 1869. George V was an enthusiastic philatelist and responsible for much of the renowned Royal Philatelic Collection, until recently housed at St James’ Palace, London. As Patron of the Royal Philatelic Society, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II continues her family’s interest in philately, graciously allowing a selection from The Royal Philatelic Collection to be displayed at the society's opening meeting each season. The stamp photograph is by Toga Akmen, via WPA Pool/Getty Images.

$3.50 The Queen and her heirs

This year’s international post stamp features a 2020 portrait of the Queen with her heirs: Charles, Prince of Wales; Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; and Prince George of Cambridge. The stamp photograph is by Ranald Mackechnie (via Camera Press).