Security features of Canadian high value mammal definitive stamps
Recently I received a copy of the $10 Canadian whale definitive stamp on my incoming mail, and I decided to show it as well as other stamps (in my collection) from the high value wildlife mammals series it belongs to. This definitive series started in 1997, and it’s going on strongly with new additions coming out every few years. These make a very attractive display as they all feature a stunning design, and every stamp contain several more or less hidden security features to seek.
Canada. Different high value mammals definitive series stamps from my collection.
1997 $8 Grizzly Bear
When issued in 1997 the $8 Grizzly Bear was the largest (64mm x 49mm) definitive stamp ever produced by Canada, and also the highest in face value. The stamp has several security features:
1997 Canada. 1997 Canada. $8 Grizzly Bear. Number 8 (digitally enhanced in the photo) has been incorporated into the bear's rear right limb.
1997 Canada. $8 Grizzly Bear. The green grass and blue sky have been printed using tiny bear images.
1997 Canada. $8 Grizzly Bear. The two lines below CANADA actually consist of the words MAIL POSTE engraved repetitively.
1998 $1 Common Loon and $2 Polar Bear
In 1998 the series continued with two lower value designs: $1 Common loon and $2 Polar Bear. Like their predecessor, these stamps too feature similar hidden security features:
1998. $1 Common loon. Loon eggs make part of stamp design.
1998. $1 Common loon. Scientific name (Gavia Immer) appears repeatedly on microtext printed right below countryname.
Similar security features can be found on $2 Polar Bear stamp:
1998. $2 Polar Bear. Scientific name (Ursus Maritimus) appears repeatedly on microtext printed right below countryname. Also silhouettes of walking polar bear are (weakly) visible on the blue sky.
2003 $5 Moose
The 2003 saw the release of $5 Moose stamp. Again this has similar security features:
2003 Canada. $5 Moose. A patterned sky and water made from moose hoof-shaped dots, and microtype with scientific name under the $5 designation.
Interestingly, the stamps copyright mark (also microprint) states the year 1999 though the stamp was issued in 2003.
The $5 Moose is the very first Canadian definitive stamp to feature an additional security feature – hidden image visible only in ultraviolet light.
2003 Canada. $5 Moose. A hidden Mi'kmaq petroglyph drawn onto rocks at Kejimkujik National park becomes visible under UV-light.
2005 $1 stamps for White-tailed Deer and Atlantic Walrus, and $2 stamps for Peregrine Falcon and Sable Island Horse
October of 2005 saw a flood of issues as Canadian Post added four new stamps to the series. A pair consisting of $1 White-tailed Deer and $1 Atlantic Walrus was issued on October 2005, and a pair consisting of $2 Peregrine Falcon and $2 Sable Island Horse was issued on December 2005.
Again, these have the usual microprint and design security features:
2005 Canada. $1 Walrus. Security features of 2005 stamps consist of microprint and design details.
$2 Peregrine Falcon is the only stamp I’m missing in order to complete this series (but I’m sure I will get it a nicely canceled copy sooner or later).
2010 $10 Blue Whale
The $10 Blue Whale stamp is (so far) the highest denomination Canada Post has ever produced. The stamp measures enormous 128mm x 48mm (approximately 5″ x 2″). Again, it features a range of security features including microprint used as part of design:
2010 Canada. $10 Whale. Microprint with Blue Whales scientific name makes up a large part of stamps design (the waves/lines).
As with the $5 Moose stamp, there’s also a set of hidden details visible only in UV-light:
2010 Canada. $10 Whale. A diver (in right proportion) and a large cluster of krill (on the right edge of stamp) are visible only under UV-lamp.
Closing words
Now who said modern philately can’t be fun? I just wish postal agencies around the world would put this much effort into design details of every stamp. This series is a future classic.
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Who knew?
Well Keijo did.
Thanks for the highly educational and interesting presentation!
If more countries put effort like this into their stamps, my “classical focus” would need to be expanded.
See Keijo?…I’ve got the polar bear $2 stamp, but I haven’t the devices you’ve got!… sight!!! anyway, that’s why we poor souls relay on you…we don’t just read your comments, no, no…we imagine we’re in your stamp room enjoying your knowledge and of course a nice cup of tea & biscuits!…LOL!!!
@Fred…Actually all except the UV-images are well visible with most magnifiers; I think my simple model is 2x/4x and I can view the microtype somewhat easily with it. But blowing up the scanned image on PC screen makes it even easier.
Tea, biscuits, some good stamp talk….hmm…. Sounds tempting…Did you knew Acores is the only tea producing area in Europe? They make pretty good stuff…
Acores…(Azores) is that true?…well, here most of the tea comes from India, but I think they mix blends from different countries and what they give is ordinary stuff…
re: stamps…yes, I can see with my old magnified glass (lupa)
all this marks and micros et al…but you have a ‘laboratory’ where you can show to the world how keen you are on your knowledge…that’s good and therefore we feel more comfortable and contented on this site…voila!
@Fred
It’s true… My wife’s parents were visiting Acores about a month ago, and they brought some local (loose-leaf) tea for us. Never seen it in offered in general shops here, but I would assume specialized tea shops could provide it.
I just loved this article, and, in fact, printed a colour copy to show another philatelist friend. Just one thing puzzles me – I`m Canadian, and I plough through some boxes of less expensive stamps, buy sometimes from Bidstart, look through books of stamps and have yet to see any of these but the polar bear! And I think I have several of those! I`m not likely to see the higher denominations because so few people bother to ask their postal employees to put stamps on parcels!
Anyway, thanks for that article!
Thanks Rosemary. It’s pleasure to hear you loved the entry, and will spread it forward to other collectors too
As for coming across with various values…. I think it’s simply a matter of luck. Based on print numbers these should be somewhat plenty and easily available.
There are supposed to be 12 different security features incorporated in the $10 whale stamp. We have (WTSC) managed to identified only 10 of them. The two very illusive features are keeping us at search!!!
Interesting… Will have to try to identify/locate those at some point. I think I know 7-9 of those.
As a side comment, I now have a copy of $2 Peregrine Falcon. Just need to soak it off, and I’ll have complete series