The Chinese Zodiac consists of 12 signs of the zodiac – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey rooster, dog and pig. Also known as Year of the Ram or Goat, the sheep is the eighth animal in the Chinese lunar calendar, and is known to be gentle and calm.
Issue information
The 2015 Year of the Sheep stamps represented the multicultural nature of New Zealand. This is shown on these stamps through Chinese calligraphy, paper-cutting and line art illustration against backgrounds that represented New Zealand as ‘the land of the long white cloud’.
Stunning Additions to Your Lunar Stamp Collection
Also available in this celebratory issue was a miniature sheet and two first day covers. Sheets of stamps were also available to order, perfect for your postage needs, with each sheet containing five gutter pairs as a unique collectable.
The Perfect Gift for Chinese New Year
The ultimate collectable in the 2015 Year of the Sheep stamp issue, the presentation pack contained the four gummed stamps, the miniature sheet, the first day cover and a paper-cut sheep. It was the perfect way to learn more about this year of the Chinese zodiac and made a thoughtful gift for anyone born in the year of the sheep.
Beautiful Limited Edition Gold Foiled Products
The 2015 Year of the Sheep stamp issue is complemented with two premium gold-foiled miniature sheets. Sure to please any Chinese New Year enthusiast, these unique miniature sheets were made from 24 carat, 99.9 gold foil. They are replicas of the miniature sheet in the stamp issue and are not part of the official stamp programme.
Presented within an individually numbered frame (measuring approximately 39cm x 27cm), the large miniature sheet was limited to only 128 worldwide! The smaller miniature sheet was mounted in a perspex display stand and made a gorgeous gift.
Product Listing for 2015 Year of the Sheep
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 80c 'Pictogram' gummed stamp. Many modern day Chinese characters are derived from pictograms – stylised drawings of the object they represent. The pictogram on this stamp is the Chinese character for ‘sheep’, conveying both the appearance and attributes of a sheep. |
$0.80 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.40 'Paper-cut Sheep' gummed stamp. In China, paper-cuts are used extensively as home decorations and can be affixed to practically anything, from walls to mirrors and even lanterns to bring good luck. This stamp shows a paper-cut design of a sheep, decorated in traditional Chinese patterns of beauty and tranquillity. |
$1.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.00 'Sheep in New Zealand' gummed stamp. Sheep remain an important part of the New Zealand economy, with approximately seven sheep to every person living in New Zealand. This stamp illustrates the tranquil setting of New Zealand’s pastures, perfect for rearing sheep. |
$2.00 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.50 'Church of the Good Shepherd' gummed stamp. The Church of the Good Shepherd was the first church built in the South Island’s Mackenzie Basin in 1935 and sits next to the stunning Lake Tekapo. The stamp shows an illustration of the church with a Chinese kite and long white cloud, reflecting the multicultural nature of New Zealand. |
$2.50 |
 |
Miniature Sheet | Mint, used or cancelled gummed miniature sheet. | $6.70 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with four gummed stamps affixed. | $7.20 |
 |
Miniature Sheet First Day Cover | First day cover with gummed miniature sheet affixed. | $7.20 |
 |
Presentation Pack |
The presentation pack was the ultimate collectable and contained the four gummed stamps, the miniature sheet and the first day cover. You'll also find an intricate paper-cut sheep inside which made a stunning gift for anybody born in the year of the sheep. |
$21.90 |
 |
Gold Foiled Miniature Sheet in Perspex Stand |
Made from 24-carat 99.9 gold foil, this miniature sheet was embossed and etched with micro fine detail and mounted in a perspex display stand (measuring 18cm x 10cm. |
$188.00 |
 |
Large Gold Foiled Miniature Sheet in Frame |
This large miniature sheet was one of only 128 produced. It had been embossed and etched with micro fine detail from 24-carat 99.9 gold foil, and was presented within an individually numbered frame (measuring 39cm x 27cm) |
$560.00 |
| $2.00 – Sheep in New Zeala |
| Single stamp |
| Single stamp |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 14 January 2015 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | 80c, $1.40, $2.00 and $2.50 |
| Stamps, miniature sheet, first day covers and presentation pack designed by: | Asiaworks, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 25 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/Imprint blocks were obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 13 January 2016. |
