Overview
The States and territories of Australia have several official emblems or symbols. These include birds, flowers, mammals, fish and gem or mineral and tartan. Not all states and territories have all symbols. This issue on-sale from 28 March 20241 featuring marine or fish emblems is a sequel to the recent bird emblem issue of 2020.
The stamp illustrator, Roger Swainston, is a renowned painter, naturalist and zoologist. Based in Western Australia, he is one of the world’s most recognised artists of the underwater environment. His work has been exhibited in Australia, Europe and USA.
Technical specifications
- Issue date
- 26 March 2024 (on-sale 28 March 2024)
- Issue withdrawal date
- To be announced
- Denomination
- $1.50 x 1, $3.00 x 1, $4.50 x 1
- Illustration
- Roger Swainston
- Stamp & product design
- Simone Sakinofsky, Australia Post Design Studio
- Paper: gummed
- Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor
- Paper: self-adhesive
- Tullis Russell Red Phos PSA (P55) 100GM Self-Adh/Roll- Raflacoat RP51 WG 65
- Printer
- RA (Roll- Rapid Labels)
- Printing process
- Offset lithography (Roll – Inkjet Printing)
- Stamp size (mm)
- 37.5 x 26
- Minisheet size (mm)
- 135 x 80
- Perforations
- 13.86 x 14.6
- Sheet layout
- Module of 50 (2 x 25 no design)
- FDI Postmark
- Swansea NSW 2281
- FDI withdrawal date
- 24 April 2024
$1.50 South Australia - Leafy Seadragon Phycodurus eques
The Leafy Seadragon was adopted as South Australia’s marine emblem in 2001. Around 24 centimetres in length, this ethereal-looking fish is hard to spot, as it is camouflaged by the long, seaweed-like protrusions growing on its body. Leafy Seadragons have only been found in the temperate waters of southern Australia, from Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria to Jurien Bay Marine Park in Western Australia. They are often sighted in the sea near Adelaide, South Australia. They prefer kelp-covered rocky reefs and seagrass meadows in depths from around three to 50 metres. The Leafy Seadragon is one of only three seadragons endemic to Australian waters.
$3.00 New South Wales - Eastern Blue Groper Achoerodus viridis
In 1998, New South Wales became the first state to proclaim a marine emblem. The vibrantly coloured Eastern Blue Groper is a species of wrasse. This inquisitive, friendly fish is well known to divers and grows to a metre in length and inhabits rocky reefs, river estuaries and seagrass beds from southern Queensland to southern Victoria. Eastern Blue Gropers are hermaphrodites, beginning their lives as female and pinky-brown in colour. After becoming sexually mature, they transition to the male sex and take on their vivid blue colour.
$4.50 Queensland - Barrier Reef Anemonefish Amphiprion akindynos
The Barrier Reef Anemonefish was officially named as Queensland’s aquatic emblem in 2005. It lives among sea anemones in the northern region of the Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales. The stinging tentacles of the host protect it from predators and in return, the fish provides certain benefits to the anemones. This anemonefish species reaches around 12 centimetres in length and is distinguished by its orange colour, white tail, and two black-edged white bars, one each across the head and body.
Shop our stamp collectables
Set of Gummed Stamps:
Set of Marine Emblems Gummed Stamps
This set of stamps contains the three stamp designs from the Marine Emblems stamp issue.
Minisheet:
Marine Emblems Minisheet
This minisheet is from the Marine Emblems stamp issue and presents the three stamp designs with an Eastern Blue Groper in the background.
Stamp pack:
Marine Emblems Stamp Pack
This Marine Emblems stamp pack contains the three stamps and minisheet from the stamp issue presented in a high-quality folder.
Maxicards set:
Set of Marine Emblems Maxicards
This maxicard set contains the three maxicards from the Marine Emblems stamp issue.
- Set of Gummed Stamps
- Minisheet
- Stamp pack
- Maxicards set
Additional collectables:
This content was produced at the time of the stamp issue release date and will not be updated.
1 covers the 30 day period of notification seeking approval of an increase to the base rate of postage to the Minister for Communication and concluding on Wednesday 27 March 2024.
