25th Anniversary of PNCs


By Ronald Maifeld

April 24, 2006

 On April 24th of this month we mark the 25th anniversary of the first Plate Number Coil (PNC).   The 18¢ Flag coil stamp "from sea to shining sea" was issued in Portland, Maine as part of a three stamp set, including a sheet of 100, a se-tenant booklet and the first Plate Number Coil.

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!