Royal mail/barcoded stamps
A fascinating topic!
Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has a long history of using barcodes on their stamps. Here's a brief overview:
Why barcodes on stamps?
In the 1980s, Royal Mail introduced barcodes on their stamps to improve the efficiency and accuracy of mail processing. The barcodes allowed machines to quickly and easily read the stamp's value and destination, reducing the need for manual sorting and processing.
Types of barcodes used on Royal Mail stamps
Over the years, Royal Mail has used various types of barcodes on their stamps, including:
- EAN (European Article Number) barcode: Introduced in the 1980s, this 13-digit barcode was used on most stamps until the early 2000s.
- UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode: Used on some stamps, particularly those with a higher value or special features.
- Royal Mail's own barcode format: Developed in the early 2000s, this 14-digit barcode is used on most stamps today.
Features of Royal Mail's barcode format
The Royal Mail barcode format has several features that make it unique:
- 14 digits: The barcode consists of 14 digits, which allows for a higher level of precision and accuracy.
- Check digit: The last digit of the barcode is a check digit, which helps to prevent errors during scanning.
- Country code: The first two digits of the barcode indicate the country of origin (in this case, the UK).
- Value and destination: The remaining digits of the barcode contain the stamp's value and destination information.
Impact on philately
The introduction of barcodes on stamps has had a significant impact on the world of philately (stamp collecting). While some collectors may view barcodes as an eyesore or a distraction, others see them as a useful feature that helps to identify and organize stamps.
Interesting facts
- The first stamp with a barcode was the 1988 "Wildlife" stamp, which featured a barcode on the back of the stamp.
- Some rare and valuable stamps have been issued with special barcodes, such as the 2003 "Millennium" stamp, which featured a unique barcode that could be used to access a special website.
- Royal Mail has also used barcodes on special commemorative stamps, such as the 2012 "Olympic Games" stamp, which featured a barcode that could be used to access exclusive content online.
Overall, the use of barcodes on Royal Mail stamps has improved the efficiency and accuracy of mail processing, while also providing a unique feature for philatelists to appreciate.