04-08-2025, 08:20 PM
I've been playing around lately with some of the data matrix stamps from the UK.
Here's a stamp I got recently on a package from the UK. It had no cancellations or postmarks of any kind. What's a postal historian to do? In the absence of other information, I wanted to look at what the stamp itself had to say.
Using a barcode reader, I got the following readout.
JGB S199 4 1017031 01107873 00020 080223 01 E11E7843FEB9611E01
A friend started me on the path to trying to understand these codes. Here's what I've found out (or think I have)
Tthe three digit prefix is the standard UPU code for the UK (Great Britain)
After that is the main data block followed by the security / checksum block.
Within the data block ... the part in blue, beginning with the S is the product code, series or rate
the light blue digit indicates the source ...e.g. a counter sheet
the seven-digit rose coloured series of numbers is an untranslated internal reference number. Some sort of proprietary number that very probably refers to the printing process or design.
the orange series of numbers would be the unique stamp number within its production batch
the green series would be the face value ... in the case of my sample, 20p
the grey series of six numbers is a date field. The question is what date? It's not the date of issue (that wouldn't necessarily known when the stamp was printed) it's probably the printing date or some other key production date.
the final two brown coloured numbers are the stamp indicator 01 for definitive (probably)
As for the security block ... E11 E7843FEB 9611 E01 ... this 18 character block would be used by Royal Mail to verify (if necessary) the authenticity of the stamp to prevent forgery. I assume the algorithm to do this is proprietary (if it's not secret it woldn't be of much use would it? - smile).
Having said that ...
the initial E11 is probably the type of security algorithm being used.
the E7843FEB is probably a digital signature generated by the main data block. A sort of checksum.
the four digit black 9611 is interesting - perhaps another kind of check linked to the print or production batch? Who knows.
the final three characters, I'm guessing, is a final version or integrity indicator?
This is fun and in a way, one aspect of the future of philately. We're still figuring things out ... and that's part of the fun too ... until the details become public and documented.
If you hold the stamp on an angle you can see another security feature. Holographic characters on the stamp. Notice that it says M23L instead of MAIL above the King's forehead.
I don't really collect modern stamps. But these digital ones are, I have to admit, rather cool. Lot's more to discover.
Anyway, I could be wrong on all this ... so, corrections and feedback are more than welcome.
Cheers, Hugh
Here's a stamp I got recently on a package from the UK. It had no cancellations or postmarks of any kind. What's a postal historian to do? In the absence of other information, I wanted to look at what the stamp itself had to say.
Using a barcode reader, I got the following readout.
JGB S199 4 1017031 01107873 00020 080223 01 E11E7843FEB9611E01
A friend started me on the path to trying to understand these codes. Here's what I've found out (or think I have)
Tthe three digit prefix is the standard UPU code for the UK (Great Britain)
After that is the main data block followed by the security / checksum block.
Within the data block ... the part in blue, beginning with the S is the product code, series or rate
the light blue digit indicates the source ...e.g. a counter sheet
the seven-digit rose coloured series of numbers is an untranslated internal reference number. Some sort of proprietary number that very probably refers to the printing process or design.
the orange series of numbers would be the unique stamp number within its production batch
the green series would be the face value ... in the case of my sample, 20p
the grey series of six numbers is a date field. The question is what date? It's not the date of issue (that wouldn't necessarily known when the stamp was printed) it's probably the printing date or some other key production date.
the final two brown coloured numbers are the stamp indicator 01 for definitive (probably)
As for the security block ... E11 E7843FEB 9611 E01 ... this 18 character block would be used by Royal Mail to verify (if necessary) the authenticity of the stamp to prevent forgery. I assume the algorithm to do this is proprietary (if it's not secret it woldn't be of much use would it? - smile).
Having said that ...
the initial E11 is probably the type of security algorithm being used.
the E7843FEB is probably a digital signature generated by the main data block. A sort of checksum.
the four digit black 9611 is interesting - perhaps another kind of check linked to the print or production batch? Who knows.
the final three characters, I'm guessing, is a final version or integrity indicator?
This is fun and in a way, one aspect of the future of philately. We're still figuring things out ... and that's part of the fun too ... until the details become public and documented.
If you hold the stamp on an angle you can see another security feature. Holographic characters on the stamp. Notice that it says M23L instead of MAIL above the King's forehead.
I don't really collect modern stamps. But these digital ones are, I have to admit, rather cool. Lot's more to discover.
Anyway, I could be wrong on all this ... so, corrections and feedback are more than welcome.
Cheers, Hugh
Hugh MacDonald, Wolfe Island
Member: BNAPS. PHSC, Auxiliary Markings Club, Postal Stationary Society, British Postmark Society,
AMG Collectors Club, China Stamp Society, France and Colonies Philatelic Socoety
ArGe Deutsche Feldpost: 1914-1918 e.V.