Royal Baby Makes New Zealand Post Stamp History [Photos]

Prince George is the world's most celebrated and famous newborn, now His Royal Highness, Prince George of Cambridge is making history in New Zealand. For the first time in its 170-year history, New Zealand Post is issuing a stamp to celebrate a Royal birth. While Royal children have featured on several New Zealand Post stamp issues, there has never before been a commemorative issue to mark a birth.

Royal Baby stamps: Prince George, along with his parents Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, features in a set of photos taken outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London a day after the July 22 birth.

The presentation pack is written by Dr Sean Palmer, chair, Monarchy New Zealand and gives further insight into the significance of Prince George's birth. Given below are the types of stamps :

1. 2013 Royal Baby Set of Stamps

Mint strip of four large gummed stamps

Price: $7.90

2. 2013 Royal Baby First Day Cover

First day cover with strip of four gummed stamps affixed

Price: $8.40

3. 2013 Royal Baby Presentation Pack

The presentation pack is written by Dr Sean Palmer, chair, Monarchy New Zealand and gives further insight into the significance of Prince George's birth. Inside, you'll find the strip of four gummed stamps and the first day cover.

Price: $22.00

4. 2013 Royal Baby Single Stamp

Single 70c gummed stamp

Price: $0.70

5. 2013 Royal Baby Sheet of Stamps

Sheet of 20 x 70c gummed stamps

Price: $14.00

6. 2013 Royal Baby Set Configurations

Set of gummed Plate Blocks

Price: $47.40

"Prince George's birth was a global event and there was huge excitement in New Zealand about his arrival, so it's only fitting he gets his own stamp," says New Zealand Post spokesman Simon Allison.

"The minute news of the Prince's birth came through, we put into action a plan we'd had in place and worked around the clock to get our commemorative stamp and coin issue finalised," he said.

That process included getting approval for the images and designs from Prince George's Great Granny - Her Majesty the Queen - along with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

"The Queen and the Duke and Duchess have personally Okayed the images and we're glad they agree with our choice of stunning photos which show an immensely proud Royal mum and dad and the baby Prince," said Mr Allison.

New Zealand is joining the rest of the Commonwealth in celebrating the birth of His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge with this special stamp issue! Pre-order your stamps now for Sept 11, 2013.

2013 Royal Baby Silver Proof Coin

Such a significant occasion as the birth of a royal heir deserves a truly special coin and this stunning 1oz silver proof coin with gold plating is sure to be popular! Pre-order yours today for late Sept 2013. The intricate design features the Princely Coronet in gold plating. Coronets, as opposed to crowns, are assigned to the Heir Apparent (Prince of Wales), his children, and the children of his sons. Therefore, H.R.H. Prince George of Cambridge is entitled to use the style of coronet which appears on this pure silver coin commemorating his birth. The detailed design also features stylised koru - a pattern used in Māori and New Zealand art to symbolise new life.

Highlights

Features the 'Princely Coronet' in gold plating
A stylised koru design symbolising new life adds a New Zealand touch to the design.
The date of birth of H.R.H. Prince George of Cambridge is engraved on the coin
Minted from 1 troy oz 0.999 silver
Low worldwide mintage of 1,500

Denomination:	One New Zealand dollar
Finish:	Proof
Composition:	0.999 silver with selective gold plating
Weight:	1 troy oz
Diameter:	40mm
Edge treatment:	Milled
Shape:	Round
Obverse design:	Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom
Reverse design:	Gold plated Princely Coronet along with a stylised koru design and the date of birth of H.R.H. Prince George of Cambridge
Worldwide mintage limit:	1,500
Mint:	BH Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH

The Royal Baby stamp and coin issue will be available from Wednesday, Sept 11, 2013 at PostShops, REAL Aotearoa stores, and online for pre-orders now at www.nzpost.co.nz/royalbaby andwww.nzcoins.co.nz or by phoning 0800 782 677.

As reported by www.nzpost.co.nz/royalbaby

Indeed His Royal Highness, Prince George of Cambridge is making history.

We think entire world is going to love these stamps and coins and these are going to be collector's premium choice. Books, like proverbs, receive their chief value from the stamp and esteem of ages through which they passed.