Current Number of stamp plates 1860-1880

For a list of all illustrations of current numbers go here

Both the printers Perkins and De La Rue used the current number to record a plate in the register. The book records the date sequence of when a plate is registered. As there are different denominations and plates, the current number is not the same as the plate number, as the three line-engraved examples below show (these 1d values have letters in all four corners). For example, if plates 188 to 195 were created in sequence, the current number for plate 195 should be 230, not 232. The sequence is interrupted by a ½d and 2d stamp as the table below shows. Plate 196 has current number 233 see Jonz Stamping Ground. Other terms used for current number are Series Number, and Warrant Number, R M Phillips sometimes uses the term "Control number".

a. Line-engraved stamps

Engraved above the first two stamps in the top row AA and AB
Plate 175 (shown circled)
Current number is 208

Engraved above the first two stamps in the top row AA and AB
Plate 195 (shown circled)
Current number is 232

Engraved below the last two stamps in the bottom row TK and TL
Plate 188
Current number is 223

The Perkins current number is above stamps AA and AB and below stamps TK and TL (from 1865). The plate number is in all four couners of the sheet (from 1840).

As there are different denominations and plates, the current number is not the same as the plate number, as the three line-engraved examples above show (these 1d values have letters in all four corners). For example, if plates 188 to 195 were created in sequence, the current number for plate 195 should be 230, not 232. The sequence is interrupted by a ½d and 2d stamp as the table below shows. Plate 196 has current number 233 see Jonz Stamping Ground.

Example of the Current Number sequence 223 to 233

For the sequence 208 to 233 click here

The first 1d perforated stamp to have a current number on the sheet was plate 98 in 1865, its current number was 106. The current number of plate 225 in 1879 was 268.

Current numbers of the ½d, 1½d and 2d stamps

source: Postage Stamps of GB, Part 2, Wiggins

for a complete list of line-engraved current numbers go here

b. Surface-printed stamps

With De La Rue the first numbered postage plate is 198 the 6d plate 2 in 1860 (before that the current number was not marked on the plate). The current number was no longer included on the plate with the consolidated contract, beginning with the 1d. of 1880. Control letters are used instead from 1884.

Only two stamps on the plate have the current number on the adjacent selvage, for the 2½d, 3d, 4d, 6d, 9d, the second stamp at the top-left (AB) and the second stamp from the bottom right (TK). 8d and 1s AA and TL, see Beaumont and Easton.

scan courtesy K & C Philatelics

For Current Numbers of Surface-printed stamps go here

Source: Beaumont & Easton

Main Stamps page