Country Definitive Playing Cards

Regional stamps (later called country definitive stamps) were introduced for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as long ago as 1958. In 1999 it was decided that England too should have its own regional stamps. Conveniently, that now made four regions each with their own stamps, one for each of the four suits. New designs were created, as featured on the present set of cards. Individual stamps for England (S), Scotland (C), Wales (H), and Northern Ireland (D) are depicted on the court cards and Aces. Complete sets of four stamps for each respective country are displayed down the middle of the pip cards, with the Royal Mail coat of arms in the background. The Joker shows the four stamps in use for European destinations (“E”). A curious quirk or anomaly (or error?) is that the top-value stamp in the Scottish and Welsh sets is 64 pence, whereas the top-value stamp in the English and Northern Irish sets is 65 pence! True, postage rates were changing from 1999 to 2000; however, they have always been the same for all parts of the UK. See the box►

Above: Country Definitive Playing Cards printed by Carta Mundi for Royal Mail, c2000. 52 cards + 3 Jokers (2 red, 1 black) in tuck box. Size: 67 x 97 mm.