Royal Mail celebrates 'Queen's head' stamp design with new issue

Royal Mail is marking the 50th anniversary of the current design on its stamps with a new issue.

The so-called Machin Definitive stamp, with its image of the Queen, has been reproduced in more than 130 colours since 1967 and reprinted an estimated 220 billion times.

It is considered to be one of the most reproduced images in the world, featuring a profile of the Queen by sculptor Arnold Machin.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, he had a long association with Wedgwood potteries and also designed the profile of the Queen that appeared on coins from 1968 to 1984.

Before 1967, an image of the Queen taken by society photographer DorothyWilding was used on stamps.

The design has been reproduced in more than 130 colours Credit: PA

Dominic Newton, Arnold Machin's nephew and director and trustee of the Machin Arts Foundation, said:

Royal Mail spokesman Philip Parker said:

A set of six stamps were issued today, featuring different stages of the design, including a preliminary sketch.