1553) Barbary Macaques, Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory (BOT): A set of four Stamps in the denominations of 30p, 90p, 1 and 4 Pounds issued by Gibraltar Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 20 .11.2020:
Gibraltar's most famous tourist attraction are The Rock's Barbary Macaques, who are a living legacy and a must-see for every tourist visiting Gibraltar.
Although native to North Africa (Barbary coast), Gibraltar's Macaques represent the only free-living, non-human primates in the European continent.
Stocky in build and lacking a visible tail (they have a vestigial one), the Barbary Macaque ("Macaca sylvanus") resembles an ape, but are in fact, a species of Old World monkey.
The extant 250-strong population of Barbary Apes on The Rock, owe their introduction and persistence on The Rock in no small part to human intervention, in particular to the British Garrison, through replenishment of stocks and varying degrees of provisioning and protection.
The consensus among scholars and historians is that while Macaques kept as pets by the local inhabitants may have escaped and bred in the Upper Rock resulting in intermittent small Macaque populations, the first of numerous consignments of Macaque from North Africa dates to 36 years after an Anglo-Saxon fleet captured The Rock in 1704.
In 1740, there is a documentary record mentioning a large introduction of "Apes and other game from Barbary".
From then on, a Centuries old human-monkey interface like no other that captivated residents- military and civilians - as well as visitors, and the wider international public being concerned for their well-being.
In 09/1944, during World War II, the number of Macaques was restored to 24, as a superstitious belief surrounding the Macaques' continued existence and The Rock's British sovereignty.
The military appointed Officers in charge of the "Apes", who were responsible for "roll calls" and proper upkeep.
Post war Gibraltar saw a rise in tourism during the 1950s and 1960s, with the lure of the Macaques taking centre-stage.
With the welfare of the Macaques being passed from the military to the Gibraltar Government during the 1990s and the onset of large scale tourism,millions of tourists come every year to see the famous Macaques.
In 1993, the Upper Rock was declared a Nature Reserve, so as to protect the Macaque population.
Away from the busier tourist hotspots, Gibraltar's Macaques are truly captivating and for the avid nature lover, there is perhaps no better way to learn about them than to attend a "Monkey Talk-Gibraltar" (a Heritage Award-winning Macaque Educational Outing), where the Macaques are observed non-intrusively as part of the natural wildlife, instead of a "tourist attraction". Here their natural behaviour, facial gestures and subtle body postures are interpreted as and when displayed.
Endearing as they are, large scale Macaque tourism has its own drawbacks - unauthorised feeding and interacting with the Macaques has devastating consequences to their social dynamics and equally as important, the way they behave around visitors. Over time, Macaques' antics and roamings into urbanised areas, as a result, has earned them the title of "nuisance" by many affected locals.
It is important that visitors view the Macaques responsibly and for a better understanding of them through education, "awareness campaigns" are taken regularly by the local authorities.
The Commemorative Postage Stamps:
The First Day Cover (FDC) shows a Barbary Macaque sleeping/reclining on a stone/concrete structure at left. The FDC is titled "Gibraltar Barbary Macaques".
At top right are affixed the four stamps issued in the set. The stamps are of 30p, 90p, 1 and 4 Pounds , present different facets of the Barbary Macaques.
The Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark shows a Barbary Macaque in the centre and is dated - "20.10.2020".
The Four Stamps of 30p, 90p, 1 and 4 Pounds issued in the set, presenting different facets of the Barbary Macaques.
The Four Stamps, First Day Cover and the Presentation Pack displayed together.
Technical specifications:
Stamp Set Issue Date: 20.11.2020
Design: Stephen Perera
Illustration/Photography: Stephen Perera
Printer: Cartor Security Printers
Process: Offset Lithography
Colours: Spot Colours
Stamp Sizes: 34.0 mm x 34.0 mm
Stamp Values: 30p, 90p, 1 and 4 Pounds
A Stamp set of six Stamps brought out by Gibraltar Post issued in 2011.
8) The White Horse of Hanover: Eighth Coin in the "Queen's Beasts Coin Series", UK: Gold and Silver Bullion Coins kick-started by the Royal Mint, UK in March 2016: The White Horse of Hanover Coin issue date: 24.02.2020
3) Hylaeosaurus, United Kingdom: Third and final Coin in a three Coin 50 Pence Coin Series titled "Tales of the Earth - Dinosauria", brought out by the Royal Mint, UK in five variants - Gold, Silver (x 2 coins) and Cupro-nickel (x 2 Coins): Date of coin issue: 01.06.2020
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
2) Ireland: Women's right to Vote - 100th Year Anniversary : A Silver 15 Euro Proof Collector Coin issued by the Central Bank of Ireland on 27.11.2018
3) Irish Myths & Legends: 1) The Children of Lir;2) Cu Chulain; 3) The Omniscient Salmon of Knowledge; 4) Werewolves of Ossory; 5) The Brown Bull of Cooley and Deirdre of the Sorrows: An Annual Mint Set from the Central Bank of Ireland, recreates/celebrates Irish Folk Tales (Issue date: 30.04.2018)
4) Centenary of the "First Trans-Atlantic Aviation", Ireland: A 15 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the central Bank of Ireland and minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Coin issue date: 10.07.2019
Northern Ireland Bank issues:
1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21
Bank of England Banknotes:
1) A Ten Pounds Banknote issued on Charles Dickens (Writer) also depicting a cricket match from his novel "The Pickwick Papers"
2) A Ten Pound Banknote issued on Charles Darwin (English Naturalist) also depicting the HMS Beagle, Darwin's magnifying glass, a humming-bird & flora that he may have seen on his voyage.
3) A Five Pounds Banknote issued on George Stephenson (an Engineer) also depicting "Rocket" his Railway Locomotive and Skeene Bridge on the Stockton Darlington Railway (1825) - since withdrawn
Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes):
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
Banknotes from Royal Bank of Scotland:
Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:
1) 20 Pounds Polymer Banknote, Bank of Scotland, featuring the iconic Forth Bridge: ii) A Commemorative 20 Pounds Polymer Banknote featuring the Queensferry Crossing Bridge
British Crown Dependencies/Overseas Territories:
1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey
2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey
3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain
5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015
7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend
8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie
9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda
12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint
17) The Siren: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A silver Double crown (Four Pounds) : First coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures) issued by the Pobjoy Mint UK on 03.04.2018
18) The Minotaur: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT):A Silver Double crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Second Coin in the Series titled :Mythical Creatures: issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 15.06.2018
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018
21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018
22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018
24) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Islands and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, British Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part 1) : A 2 Pounds Titanium % a 2 Pounds Uncirculated coins variant, feature the Macaroni Penguin issued on behalf of South Georgia & Sandwich Islands (2019), by the Pobjoy Mint, UK
25) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Island and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, British Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part II): A 1 Pound Titanium Coin & a 1 Pound Uncirculated Coin variant, feature the Queen Triggerfish, issued on behalf of Ascension Island (2019) minted by the Pobjoy Mint, UK
26) Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic Explorer: South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands: A 2 Pounds Coin minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK, brought out on 26.02.2019 on behalf of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands in two variants - Silver and Cupro-nickel
27) Concorde, a Stamp set from Gibraltar, A British Overseas Territory (BOT): 50th Anniversary of the first Supersonic Passenger Carrying Airplane, jointly built by France and Great Britain: Stamp set issue date: 20.04.2019
28) Tristan da Cunha (BOT): A Wedgwood "Three Graces" Jasperware 5 Pound Coin: minted in 2018
29) 75th Anniversary of D-Day Landings: (The Battle of Normandy): i) A Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau Stamp set of 4 stamps issued on 08.03.2019: ii) A Limited edition D-Day joint Commemorative issue by British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territory - Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar on 06.06.2019
30) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich
31) 200th Anniversary of John Keats' "Odes to a ....", Alderney Island: A set of six Postage stamps issued by Guernsey Post which brings out stamps on behalf of Alderney Island - 1) Ode on a Grecian Urn,(48p) 2) Ode on Indolence (65p), 3) Ode on Melancholy (66p), 4) Ode to a Nightingale (80p), 5) Ode to Psyche (90p), 6) Ode to Autumn (98 p): Stamp Set issue date: 24.07.2019
32) Isle of Mann: Celebrating the 200th Birth Anniversary of the Birth of Herman Melville, the author of the classic Moby Dick: A six Stamp Set issued on 22.07.2019
33) "Tatty Teddy" - "Me to You" Bears: Isle of Man Post Office is marketing a special edition of 200 Bears dressed as Santa along-with Tatty Teddy's own stamp and special envelope post-marked "21.11.2019"
36) Royal Mint, United Kingdom (UK): Five new Commemorative Coins to be issued this year (2020) include the: 1) "Bicentenary of the death of King George III", 2) Tokyo Olympics, 3) "Voyage of the Mayflower", 4) "Victory in Europe Day - 75th Anniversary, 5) Agatha Christie's First novel - The Mysterious Affair at Styles":
37) 250th Birth Anniversary of Beethoven: A Commemorative Postage stamp of 1 Pound issued by Guernsey Post, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): Stamp issue date: 21.01.2020
38) Rock Band "Queen", United Kingdom: A new Collector Coin Series titled -"Music Legends": First Coins in the Series minted by the Royal Mint, UK, features the iconic Band on Cupro-nickel (5 Pounds), Silver (1 & 2 Pounds) and Gold (25 & 100 Pounds) Coins: Coins issue date: 20.01.2020
39) "BREXIT" Coins, UK: 50 Pence Commemorative Coins being issued by the Royal Mint, UK: Issue date: 31.01.2020
40) 200th Anniversary of Royal Astronomical Society, United Kingdom (1820-2020): "Visions of the Universe", which include a combo of eight stamps exhibiting contributions to Astronomy made by the RAS and a 50 Pence Coin depicting a Black Hole, with a special commentary on Prof. Stephen Hawking's contribution to astronomy & a 24-page Prestige Stamp Booklet: Stamp set issue date: 11.02.2020
42) "Britannia", United Kingdom: The Annual Gold and Silver Bullion Proof & Uncirculated Coins Series brought out by the Royal Mail, UK: Date of issue: 10.02.2020
44) Celebrating the 25th James Bond Film -"No Time To Die", with Base Metal, Gold & Silver Coins from the Royal Mint, UK: "007"s most challenging mission": 02.03.2020
45) William Wordsworth (1770-1850), United Kingdom's "Most Popular Poet": Commemorating the 250th Birth Anniversary with Gold, Silver and Cupro-nickel Coins from the Royal Mint, UK: Date of Coin Issue: 09.03.2020
46) "United Kingdom Uncirculated Coin Collection - 1983,"UK: A Rare Coin Set from the Royal Mint, UK, containing coin denominations of - One Pound, Fifty Pence, 20 Pence, 10 Pence, 5 Pence, 2 Pence, One Penny and 1/2 Penny released in 1983
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark
2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark
Silver Coins:
British India Coinage:
1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835
2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress
3) Edward VII: King & Emperor Coinage
4) George V King Emperor Coinage
5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage
Other British Royalty:
1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown
3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK
4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013
5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "Segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)
6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
7) Royal Air Force (RAF), U.K. Centenary (1918-2018):A set of four 2 Pound coins issued by the Royal Mint UK depicting four iconic aircraft which have been inducted by the RAF at various points of time - Super-marine Spitfire, Vulcan, Sea King & Lightning II: Coin set issued in 2018
8) 50th Anniversary of the first issue of the iconic 7-sided 50 Pence Coins in the variants of Gold, Silver and Brilliant Uncirculated issued by the Royal Mint UK on 24.09.2019
9) Celebrating the 25th James Bond Film -"No Time To Die", with Base Metal, Gold & Silver Coins from the Royal Mint, UK: "007"s most challenging mission": 02.03.2020
Commemorative British Coinage:
1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era
2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK
3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)
1) The Brixton Pound, UK: Modern world's first novel Urban Local Currency that circulates parallel to the British pound in this district of South London
The Pilgrim "Voyage of the Mayflower":
1) The "Pilgrim Voyage of the Mayflower", British Virgin Islands, a British Overseas Territory (BOT): 400th Anniversary (1620-2020): A $1 Silver Bullion Coin minted by the Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of the British Virgin Islands: Year of issue: 2020
4) Queen Elizabeth II's 90th Birthday: A Souvenir Sheet issued by the Royal Mail, UK featuring four generations of Windsors on 21.04.16
5) 50 Years of Pink Floyd: Two Commemorative Stamp sets (Presentation Sets) brought out by the Royal Mail, UK on 07.07.2016: 1) 50 Years of Pink Floyd: A set of six stamps issued, their most popular studio albums 2) Legendary Live Performances: A set of four stamps issued depicting four of their memorable tours
13) Reintroduced Species: A set of six stamps issued by the Royal Mail, UK depicting UK's successfully restored wildlife including the Osprey, Eurasian Beaver, Pool Frog, Sand Lizard, Large Blue Butterfly and Stinking Hawk's-beard species on 17.04.2018
14) World Post Day Limited Edition of 500 Commemorative Covers, Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory (BOT): Special Cover issue date:n 09.10.2019
15) Forests, Royal Mail, U.K.: Centenary of the Forestry Commission (1919-2019): A set of six stamps issued by the Royal Mail, UK depicting six well-known forests across the U.K. - i) Glen Affric Inverness-shire, Scotland; ii) Westonbirt Gloucestershire, England; iii) Sherwood Forest; iv) Coed y Brenin Gwynedd, Wales; v) Glenriff Forest Country Antrim, Northern Ireland; vi) Kielder Forest Northumberland, England: Stamp set issue date:13.08.2019
18) "The Christmas story", Alderney, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): Alderney Post in association with Guernsey Post has issued this set of seven stamps, designs for which have been made through paper-cutting art: Date of issue: 30.10.2019
23) "Video Games" - Great Britain: A set of 8 Postage stamps brought out by the Royal Mail U.K. featuring Elite (1984), Dizzy (1987), Populous (1989), Lemmings (1991), Micro Machines (1991), Sensible Soccer (1992), Wipeout (1995), Worms (1995) and 2 Miniature Sheets on "Tomb Raider - Lara Croft": Date of Stamp set issue : 21.01.2020
25) "Sealife in the Ramsar Region" managed by Alderney Wildlife Trust, Alderney, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six stamps issued by the States of Alderney Post for Guernsey Post featuring a Grey Seal Pup (48 Pence), Shore Crab (65 Pence), Garnet (66 Pence), Beadlet Anemone (80 Pence), Ormer (90 Pence) and Cushion Stars (98 Pence)
27) i) A James Bond Mega issue by Royal Mail, UK, celebrating the 25th Bond Movie "No Time to Die" and presenting all six actors who have acted as James Bond over the years, together with "Q Branch's" path defining gadgets/machines; ii) A combo issue of Royal Mail Stamps and Royal Mint, UK's Gold, Silver and BU Coins
29) The Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland, UK: 700th Anniversary (1320-2020) Commemoration: Four Scottish Definitive Stamps issued by the Royal Mail UK: Date of Stamps issue: 06.04.2020
30) The Romantic Poets, UK: 1) A Combo of 10 Stamps (by Royal Mail UK) and a 5 Pounds Commemorative Coin (by Royal Mint UK), on the 250th Birth Anniversary of William Wordsworth includes the Romantic (Nature) poets - John Clare, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, WilliamBlake, Walter Scott, Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Wordsworth, Mary Robinson, Letetia Elizabeth Landon, John Keats & Lord Byron: Date of stamp issue: 07.04.2020
31) Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships, Guernsey, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A EUROPA set of six stamps brought out by Guernsey Post depicting six Mail Ships that sailed between Guernsey and the United Kingdom: Date of Stamp set issue: 01.04.2020
Vinod Khurana has commented:
ReplyDelete"Interesting information."
Thank you, Vinodji.
DeleteVinod Khurana has commented:
ReplyDelete"Interesting information."
Thank you, Vinodji.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative"
Thank you, Trikha sahab.
Delete