Description: This definitive stamp features the "Mackennal" profile portrait of King George V facing left, a design introduced to replace the unpopular three-quarter "Downey Head" issues. The King's head is enclosed within an oval frame, surmounted by the Imperial Crown. The inscriptions POSTAGE and REVENUE appear on scrolls at the top left and right, respectively. Uniquely, the lower portion of the design is flanked by two stylized dolphins (often described as sea-horses) with their tails curving upwards, symbolizing the maritime power of the British Empire. The denomination HALFPENNY is spelled out in a tablet at the bottom, while the numeric value ½ appears in the top corners. The stamp is printed in a standard green color.
Circa: 1912-1924
Condition: Used
Notes:
This stamp represents a major course correction for the Royal Mail. The previous 1911 "Downey Head" design was widely disliked for its poor likeness of the King, leading to the rapid commissioning of this cleaner, classically inspired profile by Australian sculptor Bertram Mackennal. The inclusion of dolphins in the frame is a specific nod to Britain's status as a naval superpower, a theme George V (a former naval officer himself) deeply appreciated.