MACHIN HIGH VALUES

1) Recess Printed - Square Format

The first Machin high values were released on the 5th of March 1969. They were printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co on un-watermarked paper and were comb perforated guage 12.

In preparation for the decimalisation of the British currency, the high values were re-released in the new decimal values. These were issued on the 17th of June 1970, almost 8 months prior to decimalisation, in an attempt to help the public get accustomed to the new currency..

The upper two new values were equivalent to the upper two pre-decimal issues e.g. 10 shillings was equivalent to 50 new pence and hence were printed in the same colours. However the lower two values were not equivalent (5 shilling = 25 new pence, 2 shillings and 6 old pence = 12½ new pence) and hence were printed in different colours.

Pre-decimal	Decimal

The pre- and post deimalisation £1 values can be easilly differentiated by examining the '£' symbol.