PISC Discussion Forums

Hello everybody!

I need some help with the postage rates of the BSIP just before and just after decimalization in 1966. For what period were mixed frankings of pre-decimal and decimal stamps accepted?


Thanks

Peik

I don't know what the position was in the Solomons but I would be surprised if mixed frankings were officially allowed. When the UK went decimal it was a case of shillings and pence on one day and new pence on the next, with no transition period. The same in Fiji, which changed from shillings and pence to cents overnight. On the other hand I know that, in France, stamps denominated in Francs continued in use for a considerable time after the Euro was adopted!

Thank you, John. In Australia, the period of mixed used pre-decimal/decimal stamps and postal stationary was two years!

Regards

Peik

I am a newbie to the group but can can confirm that initially decimal overprints were used from 1966 until 1968 when 'proper' decimal definitives were issued. Certainly locally after for some time this it was not uncommon for local mail to have both overprints and decimal issues on the same cover. I did my colonial time there from 1975 to 1984.

A belated thank you, Mike. I can't remember if you attended the Zoom AGM. Rufus Barnes showed some modern (2024) commercial covers from the Solomons which had very old commems on, apparently using up old stocks. It raised the question of whether the proliferation of modern issues are actually being used for postage or if they are just for sale to collectors.