Royal Mail 50th Anniversary of Queen Elizebeth II Coronation

 

ROYAL MAIL on 2 June 2003 issued a series of 10 stamps to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II ascension to the British throne in 1953.

Five stamps show colour photographs of the Coronation procession and ceremony, whereas five show, in black and white, scenes from Coronation events and street parties around the uk. The Queen’s profile is in gold at top left on all stamps except that reproducing Cecil Beaton’s portrait. As with the 2002 Golden Jubilee stamps, this issue is printed on ‘50’ watermarked paper. 

The postmark on this cachet is Tallents House  ‘FD0314’ (London swi) postmark. Several different postmarks from other locations were available as well.

Stamps shown at top row, left to right:
1) Guardsmen in Coronation procession;

2) East End children reading a notice about Coronation party;
3) The Queen in the Coronation chair, with the Bishops of Durham and Bath & Wells;
4) School children in Plymouth assembling Royal pictures;

5) Cecil Beaton's famous official Coronation portrait. 

 

Stamps at bottom row: 

6) Games at East End street party; 

7) The Coronation coach at Marble Arch;

8) Children in fancy dress outside house decorated for the Coronation; 

9) The Coronation coach returning to Buckingham Palace; 

10) Children at a London street party.