25th
Anniversary of PNCs
By
Ronald Maifeld
April 24, 2006
This issue marked the first time that plate numbers were included along with the design of the stamp. This was a result of the change in Postal Service policy concerning the assignment of plate numbers, which was effective January 1, 1981.
The coil stamp pictures the South Portland Head Lighthouse, which is located off the coast of Portland, Maine. It also shows the coastline and waves below the lighthouse. The dominant feature of the stamp is the 50 star USA Flag, which spans the width of the stamp.
The phrase "...from sea to shining sea", which is from the poem, America the Beautiful, written by Katherine Lee Bates in 1893, graces the bottom selvage of the stamp.
In all, seven plates were used to print this short lived stamp, which served to fill the new first class rate of 18¢ that went into effect on March 2, 1981. A 20¢ rate became effective on November 1, 1981. An 8th plate was prepared but never used.
First day covers exist with the first five plate numbers because of the Postal Services' 45 day grace period for getting covers canceled. None of the First Day Covers are common.
Considering that over 9 billion stamps were printed, some numbers of the 18¢ Flag stamp are very scarce. Plate #6 is very scarce in any condition, Mint, Used or on Cover, and is the Key Item in any PNC collection.
Most collectors at the time saved strips of 3 and the larger strips of 5 are disproportionately harder to find, and therefore more expensive. This is especially true of plates 1, 3 and 6. Plates 2, 4, 5 and 7 are relatively common in both formats.
Used singles of all but #6 are easy to find, with #7 being the most expensive of the remainder.
What started out as a single stamp 25 years ago, has blossomed into a specialty collecting area which boasts advocates around the world and over 800 members in the American Philatelic Society (APS) Affiliate, Plate Number Coil Collectors Club (PNC3). The comprehensive web site can be found on the internet at www.pnc3.org.
Plate Number Coils are the most enthusiastically
collected and studied postage stamps issued by the U S Postal Service in modern times. Individuals and groups have focused on many
aspects of those stamps with the tiny numbers including, but not limited to,
paper types, perforation and die-cut differences, tagging varieties, precancel mats, back
numbers, constant plate varieties and seamlines. Exhaustive studies have been conducted on
single stamps such as the 32¢ Flag over Porch.
For specialists, there are numerous production
innovations, constant plate varieties, perforation and die cut differences and subtle
design changes employed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), who ended
stamp production at the end of fiscal year 2005. Several
different private printing contractors, including Ashton Potter (AP), Avery
Dennison (AVR) and Sennett Security Products (SSP) are now producing United
States stamps. In
addition to the above varieties, many errors and oddities have been found resulting from glitches in the printing
and processing of the stamps.
Over the years, PNCs have been in the forefront of
innovative ideas of design and production from the nations postage producers. The Transportation coils constitute
one of the longest running series in postal history.
Coils are produced in quantities of up to 10,000 stamps on a roll
in both water-activated gum and self-adhesive gum for
vending machines and mass mailers. There was
an experiment with Linerless coils, which was on a roll similar to adhesive
tape. Self-Adhesives were tested using
various die-cut gauges and styles. Accounting
numbers in several colors and positions were introduced on the reverse side of the stamps
and the liners on self-adhesives.
Exhibits consisting of PNC material, although few in number, have garnered national attention and won Gold medals, Most Popular and Best of Show awards. Numerous books and countless articles have been published on our specialty. Columns dealing with Plate Number Coils have appeared in the national stamp publications. Both Scott and the former Minkus cataloges, plus the Linns yearbook series feature and highlight stories and charts about PNCs. Collectors gather annually at National and Regional meetings to talk shop and trade material.
The past twenty five years of Plate Number Coils will be highlighted at the upcoming Washington 2006 International Exhibition which runs from May 27th through June 3rd at the new convention center in Washington, DC.
Happy 25th Birthday to Plate Number Coils - You have truly come of age!