International Postage Meter Stamp Catalog/Lesotho

Lesotho

• Meter stamps first appear in the British colony of Basutoland around 1956. In 1966 the colony gained independence and changed its name to Lesotho.
• Meter numbers appear on some stamp types and locally assigned License numbers appear on others. In a few cases, both Meter (M#) and License (L#) numbers are present in the same stamp.
• The stamps are grouped by political inscription:

A - BASUTOLAND

B – LESOTHO

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GROUP A: Franks containing “BASUTOLAND” and a crown

• In use from 1956 to about 1966

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A1. Universal “Simplex” (LV-25). [$50]

Upright frank with simulated perforation border.

“POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical at left and right of value figures.

Large crown at bottom center.

M# with “S” prefix in small boxes in lower corners.

TM: DC

Values: £sd: 1d through 1/-

Decimal: ½ up

A2. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV). [$50]

Similar Type A1, but with narrower spacing.

M# with “UA” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: .00

A3. Neopost “Frankmaster “305” (MV). [$50]

Frank with double straight-line border.

M# with “NB” prefix in lower corners without boxes.

TM: DC

V/F: 000=

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GROUP B: Franks containing “LESOTHO” and a crown

• * In use from 1966

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Sub-group BA: Vertical or square frank with simulated perforation outer border

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BA1. Pitney Bowes-GB “Simplex” (LV-25). [$20]

As Type A1 but with new country name and no crown.

M# with “SB” prefix.

TM: DC

Values: ½¢ up

BA2. Pitney Bowes-GB “Automax” (MV). [$10]

As Type A2 but with new country name and no crown.

M# with “UA” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: .00= (.00½)

BA3. Pitney Bowes-GB “Automax” (MV). [$10]

Square frank with simulated perforation border.

“LESOTHO” in top panel. “POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical in side panels.

M# with “UB” prefix in small boxes in bottom corners.

TM: DC

V/F: 0.00 .00 = 0.oo=

BA4. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Rectangular frank with single-line simulated perforation border.

“LESOTHO” at both top and bottom.

“POSTAGE” stacked at both sides.

M# with “MR” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0,00

BA5. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Similar to Type BA4 but with “POSTAGE” and “PAID” vertical at sides.

Frank variable in size from 27-30mm wide and 26-28mm tall.

A. License number with “L”, "LE", or “LP” prefix

B. License number without prefix, repeated in both lower corners

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0,00

BA6. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Similar to Type BA5B but thick frame line as a series of semi-circles rather than simulated perforations.

L# 36 seen.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0,00

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Sub-group BB: Small, horizontal frank with simulated perforation outer border

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BB1. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV). [$10]

“LESOTHO” in top panel.

M# with “UB” prefix in small boxes below “LESOTHO”.

“POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical at sides.

Value figures on lower level than date figures.

TM: DC

V/F: 0.00(½)

BB2. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV). [$10]

Frank with corner ornaments of parallel angle lines.

TM raised in relation to frank.

L# with “L” prefix below frank.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0.00

BB3. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” (MV). [$10]

Similar to Type BB2 but L# with “LP” prefix in boxes in lower corners with two parallel lines between.

TM on same level as frank.

TM: DC

V/F: 00.00

BB4. Satas “Baby” (MV). [$10]

Frank with inner straight line border.

Country name boxed.

M# with ”TX” prefix breaks bottom frame lines.

TM: BIC

V/F: 0.00

BB5. Satas “Baby” (MV).

As Type BB4 but country name not boxed, and L# with “LP” prefix added at bottom.

M# with “TX” prefix breaks bottom frame line.

TM: BIC

V/F: 0,00

a. TM inverted, date upright (pictured)

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Sub-group BC: Frank with straight outer border

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BC1. Neopost “105” (LV-6,-8). [$10]

Frank with single straight-line border and inner box around value figure.

“POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical at sides.

L# with “NB” or “SB” prefix.

TM: BIC

Values seen: 1, 3, 5¢

BC2. Neopost “Frankmaster 305” (MV).

Vertical frank with double frame line.

Country name at top, “POSTAGE and “REVENUE” vertical at sides.

L# with “NB” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: 0·00=

BC3. Neopost “405/505” (MV). [$10]

Horizontal frank with country name boxed at top and repeated in bottom panel.

Side panels contain stacked “REVENUE” and “POSTAGE”.

L# with “LP” prefix in lower corners.

TM: BIC

V/F: 0,00

BC4. Neopost “405/505” (MV). [$5]

Similar to Type BC2 but horizontal format.

L# with “NE” prefix in lower corners.

TM: BIC

V/F: 0,00

BC5. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Horizontal frank with single frame line.

Country name at both top and bottom.

“POSTAGE” and “PAID” vertical at sides.

L# with “L” prefix in lower corners.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0,00

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