Stamps and Coinage

New Bailiwick Stamps
The responsibility for philatelic issues is one within the mandate of Guernsey Post. Its Chief Executive and officers produce draft designs of stamps for consideration. These are submitted to the Bailiff for transmission through official channels to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and by him to the Ministry of Justice.

Although the responsibility for issuing stamps rests with Guernsey Post as they will bear the Sovereign's portrait or the Royal Cipher they must be submitted to the Sovereign for approval. There are specific guidelines on what would not be acceptable in the design of stamps and working within the guidelines, Guernsey Post is able to produce many unusual and innovative designs that focus on the Bailiwick thereby often issues commemorate anniversaries, recognise and celebrate achievements, whilst others celebrate the natural beauty and wildlife of the islands. Issues sometimes reflect the wider environment - allowing the Bailiwick to be portrayed in many parts of the world.

Alderney and Sark do not have their own postal administrations. Guernsey Post liaises with the governments of Alderney and Sark and issue Alderney stamps at the same time as Guernsey stamps. Guernsey Post does not issue Sark or Herm stamps but they do depict the islands on Guernsey issues.

The Ministry of Justice is currently responsible for submitting draft designs for stamps to the Sovereign on behalf of the Island of Guernsey.

Following approval by the Sovereign, a confirmatory letter permitting Guernsey Post to proceed with the issue of the stamps is sent to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor who informs the Bailiff.

For more information please following the link to the Philatelic section of Guernsey Post.

Bailiwick Coinage
For centuries Guernsey mainly used French coins, though English coins also circulated.

The only other two coins in all that time were the three pence with a twelve-sided scalloped edge, produced in 1956 and 1959, and the diamond-shaped with rounded corners ten shillings coin of 1966. This commemorated the 900th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and shows a portrait of William the Conqueror on the reverse.

As with Jersey and the United Kingdom, Guernsey adopted a decimal coinage in 1971. The ten new pence and five new pence in cupro-nickel were the usual precursors, introduced in 1968. The five pence coin was reduced in size and weight in 1990 and the ten pence followed in 1992. A seven-sided fifty new pence was introduced in 1969 and was reduced in size in 1997. In bronze there were three denominations, two new pence, one new penny and one new halfpenny, the half new penny only being minted in 1971. The word "New" was dropped from the wording on the coins in 1977, much earlier than Jersey and the U.K. From 1992 onwards the one penny and two pence were made from copper plated steel. A seven-sided twenty pence coin was introduced in 1982.

None of the original coins carried the Queen's portrait, using instead the arms of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The first use of the Queen's portrait on coins intended for circulation was not until 1985, though the 25 pence crown sized coins from 1977 onwards anticipated this innovation. These 25 pence coins, although legal tender, were used as commemoratives mostly aimed at collectors. Like Jersey there was a considerable gold coinage with a similar purpose, with denominations of £100, £50, £25 and £10, and £5 and £2 cupro-nickel commemorative coinage which was not intended for normal circulation.

New Bailiwick Coins
The Treasury and Resources Department is the Guernsey Government department dealing with the issue of notes and coinage. A similar procedure to that in respect of stamps is followed in order to secure Royal sanction before bank notes and coins bearing the Sovereign's portrait or the Royal Cipher.