Issue date: 19 Jan, 2015
DEFINITIVE SERIES
With a new phase of the Spanish monarchy beginning under Felipe VI, King of Spain, a new Definitive Series is in circulation depicting the new King. The image was provided by the King's Household.
The issue consists of five offset printed stamps and a larger intaglio stamp, which includes two new features, for the first time in this series: the stamp is self-adhesive and includes Augmented Reality (AR). If a smartphone is used to capture this technology it will be redirected to an animation and a video about King Felipe VI. As with other stamps issued in 2015, all of these will include the unusual feature of the "ñ" of Marca España, or Brand Spain.
The series is completed with an artist's proof of the intaglio stamp in 24 carat gold on a 999 fine silver base.
The Definitive Series is intended to cover a wide range of face values and meet all possible postage needs. In monarchies, these series are illustrated with a portrait of the head of state, as in Great Britain, Sweden and Spain, while republics use well-known images of the country or allegorical figures such as Marianne, in France.
Typical characteristics of these series include very large or unlimited print runs; reproducing the same image for several years with different colours and face values; long validity and circulation periods; and using different teeth and printing systems. For example, during the reign of King Juan Carlos I, more than 150 Basic Series stamps were circulated. A total of six types of basic series were issued, all clearly differentiated from each other, in which the image of the monarch changed gradually over the years.
Felipe de Borbón y Grecia was born in Madrid on 30 January 1968. After the abdication of his father, King Juan Carlos I, he was proclaimed King on 19 June 2014 with the name Felipe VI. As Head of State, he symbolises the unity and permanence of the State, acting as an arbiter and moderator for official institutions, and represents Spain at the highest levels in international relations.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.