Malaysia's National Fruit Series of 1986

The National Fruits series was issued in 5th June 1986 taking over the prior national definitive series, National Animals (4th January 1979). It was designed by Peter Khang and featured eight denominations from 40c to $20. The four lower denominations, from 40c to $1 were printed by Security Printers Malaysia (Wmk. SPM) using lithography with perforation of 12. The four higher denominations from, $2 to $20 were printed by Harrison & Sons Limited (Wmk. Harrisons & Sons in script) using photogravure approach with perforations of 13.5.

ISCs lists the National Fruit series with the aforementioned perforations, however, Scotts 2017 lists an additional perforation variety at P. 13.5x14 for the four lower denominations. Having my references limited to ISC and Scott Standard 2017, I would only sort these fruits accordingly. 

40c Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum); 

50c Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

80c Durian (Durio zibethinus)

$1 Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)

From 40c to $1, both varieties in the pictures here were printed using lithography approach by Security Printers Malaysia, hence, both having the SPM watermark. 

$2 Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola)

$5 Banana (Musa sapientum)

$10 Kuini (Mangifera odorata)

$20 Papaya (Carica papaya); and a nice strip of 3 that was from my father's only remaining stamp album. 

As for the higher denominations, Scott only lists them as P. 13.5 with the exception of P.13.5 x 14 for the $5 banana. However, as you would have noticed, there would still be another slot without any catalogue numbers (I have yet to obtain) featuring  P. 13.5 x 14, printed using lithograph approach by Security Printers Malaysia. This information was obtained from a blog by Ian Choong dedicated to definitives. It was mentioned that there was a second reprint prior to redenomination. Hence, as early as the second reprint prior to redenomination, SPM was already in charge of printing. 

In 2002, six out of eight stamps of this series were redenominated having a change in currency symbols from 'c' to 'sen', and '$' to 'RM'. Sadly at the time of writing I do not have the redenominated stamps with me. I will definitely revisit and update here in the near future once I am able to acquire and scan the missing ones. 

An Odd One 

While sorting and measuring the perforations of each stamps, I discovered an odd $2 where the perforations were 13.5 x 14. 

Top: P. 13.5
Bottom: P. 13.5 x 14

Initial examination had shown that the top stamp were printed in photogravure while the bottom odd ball was lithographed. 



Their watermarks, too, to my surprise were both Harrison & Sons, London in script. This was, however, partially visualized with cursive-like pattern, prominent enough to deduce that it would not be of SPM's rigid-looking watermark. 



While I dig for more information to solve this conundrum, thank you for dropping by. 


P/s If you do own any of the ones that I am missing and is willing to participate in an exchange, I am willing to offer piece of the $10 Kuini in exchange with any one piece even if it is for a $1 Mangosteen Let me know! Of course, you would need to send me the pictures to make sure that they are not too shabby. 

References:
1. Malaysia 1986 ISC332 40 cents multicolored 'Rambutan', Wmk SPM, P. 12 & Sc329a 40 cents multicolored 'Rambutan', Wmk. SPM, P. 13.5 x 14

2. Malaysia 1986 ISC333 50 cents multicolored 'Pineapple', Wmk SPM, P. 12 & Sc330a 50 cents multicolored 'Pineapple', Wmk SPM, P. 13.5 x 14.

3. Malaysia 1986 ISC334 80 cents multicolored 'Durian;, Wmk. SPM, P. 12 & Sc331a 80 cents multicolored 'Durian', Wmk. SPM, P. 13.5 x 14.

4. Malaysia 1986 ISC335 1 Dollar multicolored 'Mangosteen', Wmk. SPM, P. 12 & Sc332a 1 dollar multicolored 'Mangosteen', Wmk. SPM, P. 13.5 x 14. 

5. Malaysia 1986 ISC336 2 Dollars multicolored 'Starfruit', Wmk. H&S London, P. 13.5

6. Malaysia 1986 ISC337 5 Dollars multicolored 'Banana', Wmk. H&S London, P. 13.5

7. Malaysia 1986 ISC338 10 Dollars multicolored 'Mango', Wmk H&S London, P. 13.5

8. Malaysia 1986 ISC339 20 Dollars multicolored 'Papaya', Wmk. H&S London, P. 13.5 


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