Also known in catalogues variously as “Muscat”, “Muscat and Oman”, “Value only issues”, “British Post Offices in Eastern Arabia”, “Muscat and Eastern Arabian Agencies”, “Muscat and Dubai and Arabian Gulf Agencies”, or (eg in some American listings) “Oman”.
I: the bottom of the large figure “1” is opposite the bottom part of the top line of the small figure “2”
II: The bottom of the large figure “1” is almost half way down the small figure “2”
As the types were used in the top and bottom halves of the sheet, respectively, pairs from rows 10-11 will show both types se-tenant; such pairs are very scarce as most sheets where torn in half across the middle for ease of use.
St Edward’s Crown watermark, Rupees and Annas, 1956
Low values
High Values
(SG №)
denomination
colour
date of issue
number issued
58
1 anna on 1d
blue
4 March 1957
69,120
58a
1½ annas on 1½d
green
1956 (see note)
240* see note
59
2 annas on 2d
brown
8 June 1956
77,760
60
2½ annas on 2½d
red
8 June 1956
70,800
61
3 annas on 3d (opt is in blue)
violet
3 February 1957
47,760
62
4 annas on 4d
blue
9 December 1956
35,520
63
6 annas on 6d
purple
10 February1957
55,680
64
R1 on 1/6d
dark blue
2 August1956
90,960
56
R2 on 2/6d
brown
23 September 1955
41,960
57
R5 on 5s
red
1 March 1957
42,760
Varieties
Examples of the R5 overprint inverted are forgeries.
larger space between “5” and “RUPEES” (later corrected)
pair showing both settings
Later Printings
(SG №)
denomination
colour
date of issue
number issued
56a
R2 on 2/6d type II
brown
February 1957
included above
56b
R2 on 2/6d type III
brown
June 1960
7,560
57b
R5 on 5s type II
red
27 January 1960
8,680
Decimal Currency, St Edward’s crown watermark, 1957
Low values
(SG №)
denomination
colour
date of issue
number issued
65
1np on 5d
brown
1 April 1957
640,200
66
3np on ½d
orange
1 April 1957
177,120
67
6np on 1d
blue
1 April 1957
150,720
68
9np on 1½d
green
1 April 1957
270,120
69
12np on 2d
brown
1 April 1957
99,780
70
15np on 2½d die I
red
1 April 1957
153,840
70a
– die II see XXX
red
April 1959
in the above
71
20np on 3d (opt is in blue)
violet
1 April 1957
1,496,160
72
25np on 4d
blue
1 April 1957
106,200
73
40np on 6d
reddish purple
1 April 1957
863,280
73a
claret
July 1959
in the above
74
50np on 9d
deep green
1 April 1957
229,920
75
75np on 1/3d
green
1 April 1957
188,640
Scout Jamboree, 1956
Commemorative set
(SG №)
denomination
colour
date of issue
number issued
76
15np on 2½d
red
1 August 1957
155,041
77
25np on 4d
blue
1 August 1957
154,705
78
75np on 1/3d
green
1 August 1957
154,080
Decimal currency, multiple crowns watermark, 1960
Low values
High values
(SG №)
denomination
colour
date of issue
number issued
79
1np on 5d
brown
30 August 1960
113,280
80
3np on ½d
orange
21 June 1960
41,280
81
5np on 1d
blue
8 April 1961
not reported
82
6np on 1d
blue
21 June 1960
33,720
83
10np on 1½d
green
8 April 1961
not reported
84
12np on 2d
brown
21 June 1960
27,540
85
15np on 2½d die II
red
26 April 1960
not reported
86
20np on 3d (opt is in blue)
violet
28 September 1960
not reported
87
30np on 4½d
brown
8 April 1961
not reported
88
40np on 6d
purple
28 September 1960
not reported
89
50np on 9d
dark green
8 April 1961
not reported
90
75np on 1/3d
green
8 April 1961
not reported
91
R1 on 1/6d
dark blue
8 April 1961
not reported
92
R2 on 2/6d
brown
8 April 1961
not reported
93
R5 on 5s
red
8 April 1961
not reported
The 5np and 10np replaced the 6np and 12np on 8 April 1961.
The Post Office publicity releases which normally reported the numbers printed for each new issue did not include figures for those marked “not reported” above.
References specific to this and related chapters
GBOS GB Overprints Compendium edition 8, Dr John Gledhill (12/4/2020)
Particular thanks go to Stanley Gibbons Ltd, for permission to quote their catalogue numbers and numerous other contributors who are mentioned in the Appendix section.
All content is copyright, Dr John Gledhill and the GB Overprints Society, May 2025.
