These special stamps featured some of the creatures from New Zealand's diverse underwater world.
Issue information
The New Zealand coastline is around 11,000 kilometres in total. It is surrounded by some of the richest and cleanest waters on the planet, and a diverse underwater world that has earned New Zealand an international reputation.
The cornerstone for such a rich sea life is plankton. Our seas teem with these minute plants and animals, so there is plenty of food for the wide range of migratory and local fish that live in the mix of cool and warm currents that reach our shores.
Limited Edition
A miniature sheet was produced for inclusion in the Underwater World limited edition collectors pack. It incorporated a perforated set of stamps. Each miniature sheet was individually numbered from one through to 2,000.
Product Listing for Underwater World
Click on image to enlarge.
Technical information
Date of issue: | 7 October 1998 |
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Number of stamps: | Eight |
Denominations and designs: | 40c Moonfish, 40c Mako shark, 40c Yellowfin tuna, 40c Giant squid, 80c Striped marlin, 80c Porcupine fish, 80c Eagle ray, 80c Sandager's wrasse |
Stamps and first day cover designed by: | Geoffrey Cox, Auckland, New Zealand |
Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, New Zealand, by lothography |
Number of colours: | Four process and two special colours |
Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
Number of stamps per sheet: | 100 |
Perforation gauge: | 14 |
Paper type: | 103gsm gummed red phosphor coated stamp paper |
Cost of unadressed first day cover: | $5.30 |
Special blocks: | Plate/imprint or positional blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least eight sheet stamps. Colour blocks ('traffic lights') were included in plate blocks for sheet stamps. Barcode blocks were available in both A and B formats and could be obtained by purchasing at least four sheet stamps. |
Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 7 October 1999. |