International Postage Meter Stamp Catalog/Zimbabwe

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Zimbabwe[edit | edit source]

  • The first meter was installed in 1929 when the country was the British possession of Southern Rhodesia. In 1953 the British merged Southern Rhodesia with their other colonies of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland into the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. In 1963 the Federation dissolved. Southern Rhodesia became independent and in 1965 dropped “SOUTHERN” from its name. In 1980 native populations gained control of the government and changed the country’s name to ZIMBABWE.
  • For issues during the period of federation, see RHODESIA & NYASALAND.
  • The stamps are grouped according to political inscription and use:
A – Inscribed SOUTHERN RHODESIA, 1929–1953 and 1963–1964 (See RHODESIA & NYASALAND for 1953-1963.)
B – Inscribed RHODESIA, 1965 - 1980
C – Inscribed ZIMBABWE, 1980 to present
PO – Special stamps generated only by machines in Post Offices

NOTE that the town marks of some stamp types, especially in Group C, can be quite irregular in size.


GROUP A: Franks inscribed “SOUTHERN RHODESIA”[edit | edit source]

  • Used from 1929 to 1953, before joining the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and again in 1964-64 after dissolution of the Federation.
A1. Neopost (FV-1), 1929.   [$50]
Upright frank with simulated perforation outer border and straight-line inner border.
“SOUTHERN / RHODESIA” in top panel, crown and monogram (GvR) in center.
“POSTAGE &/ REVENUE” in arcs at sides.
Lower frame line unbroken.
M# N1 - N8.
TM: DC, BIC
Values seen:      ½, 1, 2D
A2. Neopost (LV-6), 1935.
As Type A1 but bottom frame line is broken at sides of value figure.
M# N9 up plus replacement dies of N1 – 8.
A. With monogram “GvR” (not shown)
B. With monogram “G R”
TM: DC, BIC
Values:      ½, 1, 1½, 2, 3, 6, 1/-
Value:      2/-   [$15]
A3. Universal “Multi-Value" (MV), 1934.
Frank with single-line simulated perforation border.
“SOUTHERN” and “RHODESIA” in curved panels at top and bottom.
Country name is either small with spaces at sides or large filling the panels.
M# with “U” prefix.
A. With “POSTAGE” vertical at each side. Country name large
B1. With “POSTAGE PAID” vertical at each side. Country name small in wide arcs
B2. With “POSTAGE PAID” vertical at each side. Country name small in narrow arcs
TM: DC
V/F:      0/0(½)
A4. Neopost (LV-6), 1950.   [$20]
Small frank with “SOUTHERN” at top and “RHODESIA” at bottom.
Large value figure in center with “POSTAGE PAID” above in horseshoe-shaped ribbon.
M# N374 only.
TM: BIC
Values:      ½, 1, 2, 3, 6D , 1/-
A5. Neopost (LV-6), 1950.   [$20]
Small frank with simulated perforation border.
“SOUTHERN” at top within parallel lines, and “RHODESIA” at bottom.
“POSTAGE” vertical at left, and M# vertical at right.
M#’s N375 and 376 only
TM: BIC
Values:      ½, 1, 2, 3, 6, 1/-
A6. Universal “Simplex” (LV-24), 1951.
Similar to Type A3 but TM and date figures smaller.
M# with “S” prefix.
A. With “POSTAGE” alone vertical at each side. Country name large
B. With “POSTAGE PAID” vertical at each side. Country name small
TM: DC
Values:      ½D to 2/-
A7. Universal “Automax” (MV).
Very similar to Type A3A but value figures are of uniform thickness.
M# with “U” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      =0/0=
A8. Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV), 1963.
Frank with petal ornaments at top and sides.
“POSTAGE PAID” in very small letters near top above value figures.
M# with “RN” prefix
TM: DC
V/F:      =0/0=      =0/=      = 0•00=
A9. Neopost (LV-6), 1964.
Similar to Type A2 but crown and monogram removed from center.
“PAID” replaces “REVENUE” at right.
M# with “N” prefix.
TM: DC, BIC
Values:      ½, 1, 2, 2½, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7D, 1/-
A10. Francotyp “Cc” (MV).
Large frank with rectangular panels at top and bottom.
“SOUTHERN” in top and “RHODESIA” in bottom.
“POSTAGE PAID” vertical at both sides.
M# with “F” prefix.
TM: SC
V/F:      0/0–      00/0–      0/00/0—
A11. Neopost “205” (MV).
Square frank with “SOUTHERN/ RHODESIA” in top panel.
M# with “NE” prefix at bottom.
TM: BIC
V/F:      ★‘0–



GROUP B: “RHODESIA” alone as the country name in the frank[edit | edit source]

  • “SOUTHERN” was dropped from the name in 1965.
  • Stamps are denominated in £sd currency before 1970 and in decimal currency afterward.


B1. Neopost (LV-6), 1965.

As Type A2 but crown and monogram removed, center blank.
M# with “N” prefix.
A. “SOUTHERN” excised from die leaving space above “RHODESIA”
B. “RHODESIA” large, centered in panel
TM: DC or BIC
£sd values (with “D”):
½, 1, 2, 2½, 3, 4, 4½, 5, 6, 7, 1/-
Decimal values (with “c”):
½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12½


a. As A, "SOUTHERN" only partially obliterated from top panel
b. "4c" value die made by removing "½" from a 4½c die leaving a space between the "4" and the "c". (meter N133)



B2. Neopost (FV-1).     [$15]

Similar to Type B1B but value in center of frank.
M# with “N” prefix.
TM: DC
Value seen:      2½c





B3. Universal “MultiValue” (MV).

As Type A3 but with blank panel at top.
M# with “U” prefix.
A. “POSTAGE” at sides
B. “POSTAGE PAID” at sides
TM: DC , SC
£sd V/F:      0/0
Decimal V/F:      00(½)      =.00(½)
a. Top panel removed altogether
b. Month in letters as "1 JAN 65", found on meter U11
c. "SOUTHERN" only partially obliterated from top panel



B4. Universal “MultiValue” (MV).     [$15]

“RHODESIA” in curved panel at top, no panel at bottom.
“POSTAGE PAID” at sides.
M# with “U” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      =.00




B5. Universal “Simplex” (LV-24).

As Type A6 but top panel blank.
M# with “S” prefix.
A. “POSTAGE” at sides
B. “POSTAGE PAID” at sides
V/F may be plain or ornate
TM: DC
£sd values seen:      2, 3, 4, 1/3
Decimal values seen:      2, 2½, 3½, 4, 5, 10, 12c
a. Top panel partially or totally removed.





B6. Universal “Automax” (MV).

Very similar to Type B4 but value figures are of uniform thickness.
M# with “U” prefix.
TM: DC
£sd V/F:      =0/0=
Decimal V/F:      0.oo=
a. Top panel removed altogether



B7. Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV).     [$10]

As Type A8 but “SOUTHERN” removed from design leaving blank space at left and “RHODESIA” at right in curved panel.
M# RN 563 seen.
TM: BIC
V/F:      0•00=      =0/0=



B8. Roneo Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV).

Similar to Type B7 but smaller panel containing “RHODESIA” centered.
Small “POSTAGE PAID” at top center.
M# with “RN” prefix.
TM: DC
£sd V/F:      =0/0=
Decimal V/F:      0•00      0•00=



B9. Roneo Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV).

As Type B8 but “RHODESIA” larger and “POSTAGE/ PAID” moved to bottom.
M# with “RN” prefix.
TM: DC, BIC
£sd V/F:      =0/==
Decimal V/F:      0•00=



B10. Neopost (LV-6), 1967.

Frank made up of four rectangles.
“RHODESIA” in top panel, M# in bottom panel.
“POSTAGE PAID” in left and right vertical panels.
Value in center.
M# with “N” prefix
£sd values seen:      2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7D, 1/-
Decimal values seen:      ½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 4, 4½, 5, 8, 10, 12½



B11. Francotyp “Cc” (MV).

As Type A10 but blank at top and large “RHODESIA” at bottom.
“POSTAGE PAID” vertical at both sides.
M# “F1” seen.
TM: SC
V/F:      0/0–



B12. Francotyp “Cc” (MV).

Similar to Type B11 but narrower frank, and “RHODESIA” in both top and bottom panels.
“POSTAGE” at left, “PAID” at right.
M# with “F” prefix.
TM: BIC
V/F:      .00–      0.00–



B13. Francotyp “Cc” (MV).

Similar to Type B12 but wider, and dollar sign at upper left.
“POSTAGE PAID” only at right.
M# “FR-1” seen.
TM: DC, SC
V/F:      $0.00(½)




B14. Neopost “205” (MV).

Top panel with “RHODESIA”.
Tall date figures.
M# with “NE” prefix.
A. “SOUTHERN” removed from die leaving space above “RHODESIA”
B. “RHODESIA” centered in panel
TM: BIC
£sd V/F:      ★‘0–
Decimal V/F:      00–




B15. Neopost “405/505” (MV).     [$10]

Very similar to Type B14 but slightly wider frank and with wider spacing between TM and frank, (14-15 mm).
Date figures short.
M# with “NE” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      0,00



B16. Roneo Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV).

As Types B14 and 15 but larger, 29 x 28-29 mm.
M# with “RN” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      0•00=



B17. Universal “Automax” (MV).     [$15]

Upright frank with single simulated-perforation outer border.
Country name curved at bottom.
“POSTAGE” between parallel-line ornaments vertical at both sides.
M# “U79” seen.
TM: DC
V/F:      0000=



B18. Universal “Automax” (MV).     [$10]

Frank with single simulated-perforation outer border and double straight-line inner frame in the corners.
“POSTAGE PAID” vertical at both sides.
M# with “U” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      $0.oo=



B19. Pitney Bowes “5000” (MV), 1970.

Simulated perforation border, “RHODESIA” at top with M# immediately below.
Value figures at bottom flanked by “POSTAGE” vertical at both sides.
M# “PBH 1” seen.
TM: DC
V/F:      0.00(½)






GROUP C: “ZIMBABWE” in the frank[edit | edit source]

  • Rhodesia changed its name to Zimbabwe in 1980.


Sub-group CA: Franks with simulated-perforation outer border[edit | edit source]


CA1. Neopost (LV-6), 1980.

Similar to Type B1 but with new country name.
M# with “N” prefix.
TM: DC or BIC
Values seen:      1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12½, 18
a. Hybrid stamp, with large DC TM, 27-28 mm, and small date figures.
b. Printed in nonstandard color purple (N 557 seen)






CA2. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV).

Similar to Type B3A but with new country name (known both large and small).
Frank ~24 x 27 mm.
Without bottom panel.
“POSTAGE” reads up at both sides.
M# with “U” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      00      =.00      =.00=




CA3. Universal “Automax” (MV).

Very similar to Type CA2 but value figures are of uniform thickness.
‘Perforations’ variable.
M# with “U” prefix.
A. “POSTAGE” reads up both sides
B. “POSTAGE” reads up at left, down at right
TM: DC
V/F:      0.oo=      =0.oo





CA4. Universal “Automax” (MV).   [$10]

Similar to Type CA3 but larger and with empty bottom panel.
M# U21 only seen.
TM: DC
V/F:      0.oo=



CA5. Universal “Simplex” (LV-24).

As Type B5B but with new country name.
Without top panel.
M# with “S” prefix.
TM: DC
Values seen:      9, 12¢




CA5.1. Pitney Bowes-GB “Simplex” (LV).

As Type CA5 but “ZIMBABWE” straight at top, without ornaments.
M# with “S” prefix in lower corners.
TM: DC
Values seen:      3, 12¢




CA6. Roneo Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV).

As Type B9 but with new country name.
M# with “RN” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      0•00      0•00 =



CA7. Neopost “205/ 2205” (MV).

As Type B14 but with new country name.
M# with “NE” prefix.
Date figures tall (“205”) or short (“2205”).
TM: DC, SC, BIC
V/F:      00      00–      0,00



CA8. Neopost “405/505” (MV).

As Type B15 but with new country name.
M# “NE 121” seen.
TM: BIC
V/F:      0,00      00–



CA9. Francotyp “Cc” (MV).

As Type B12 but with new country name at top and bottom.
M# with “F” or “FR” prefix.
TM: BIC
V/F:      .00—      0.00–
a. Frank frame removed leaving only the value figures. (This variety could apply to Type CA10 as well as CA9.)



CA10. Francotyp “Cc” (MV).

As Type CA9 but with country name at top only.
Bottom panel blank.
M# with “F” or “FR” prefix.
TM: SC
V/F:      .00—



CA11. Universal “Automax” (MV).

As Type B18 but with new country name.
M# with “U” prefix at bottom.
TM: DC
V/F:      $0.oo=



CA12. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” (MV).

As Type B19 but with new country name.
“POSTAGE” at left and “PAID” at right.
M# “PBH 1” seen.
TM: DC
V/F:      ≋0.00



CA13. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” (MV).

Frank with straight inner frame line within outer frame line.
“POSTAGE” vertical at left and “PAID” vertical at right.
Date figures raised in relation to value figures.
M# with “P.B.A.” or "P.C.B." prefix at bottom between TM and frank.
TM: DC
V/F:      ≋0.00
a. With “REVENUE” instead of “POSTAGE” at left but used for postage. Meter P.B.A. 018   [$10]



CA14. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” (MV).

Similar to Type CA13 but single frame line.
Meter number in panel at bottom.
Date and value figures are on the same level.
M# with “P.B.C.” or “P.B.H.” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      ≋0.00 (P.B.C)      00.00 (P.B.H)
a. Printed in nonstandard color, purple or sky blue



CA15. Pitney Bowes-GB “6500” (MV).

Same design as Type CA14 but much larger.
Frank nearly square.
M# with “PBC” prefix.
TM: BIC
V/F:      ≋0.00



CA16. Pitney Bowes-GB "6600" (MV).

As Type CA15 but frank wider than tall.
Value figures are slightly larger than with CA15.
M# with "PBC" prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      ≋0.00



CA17. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Frank similar to earlier Universal types (CA2, CA3) with country name in curved panel at top.
M# with “HAS” prefix at bottom.
TM: DC
V/F:      00.00



CA18. Secap (MV).

Square frank with straight-line inner box around value figures.
“POSTAGE PAID” vertical at both sides.
M# with "SEC" prefix at bottom.
TM: SC
V/F:      0000




CA19. Francotyp-Postalia “MS4” (MV).

Large, nearly square frank with country name at top, “POSTAGE” at left, and “PAID” at right.
M# with “F” prefix at bottom.
TM: SC
V/F:      0.00





CA20. Francotyp-Postalia “MS-5/WK4” (MV).

Similar to Type CA19 but with town name “BULAWAYO” at bottom.
“POSTAGE PAID” vertical at right, blank at left.
One poor example seen, without meter number, with date only at left without TM.
V/F:      0000




CA21. Francotyp-Postalia “T1000” (digital).

Frank very similar to Type CA18 but value figures are narrower, and the date is more closely spaced.
M# with “F” prefix.
TM: SC
V/F:      00.00




CA22. Neopost “Electronic” (digital).

Frank is horizontal rectangle with single-line outer border with the corners extending outward.
Country name at both top and bottom.
TM: DC
V/F:      ≋0.00





CA23. Roneo Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV).
As Type B16 but with new country name.
M# with “RN” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      0•00=







Sub-group CB: Franks with straight-line outer border[edit | edit source]










CB1. Neopost “105” (LV-8,-10).

As Type B10 but with new country name.
M# with “N” prefix.
TM: DC
Values seen:      2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12¢
a. Most of frame missing. Only top panel containing “ZIMBABWE” and value figures remain of the frank.




CB2. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” (MV).

Wide frank with straight single-line border.
“POSTAGE/PAID” vertical at both sides.
A. M# with "P.B.C." prefix at bottom
B. M# with “No.” prefix
TM: SC, DC, BIC
V/F:      0000      00.00





CB3. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” (MV).

Similar to Type CB2A but wider and top and bottom inscriptions reversed, M# at top and country name at bottom.
“POSTAGE” at left, and “PAID” at right.
M# “PBC 415” seen.
TM: SC
V/F:      0000





CB4. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Horizontal frank with straight single-line border and inner panels at top and bottom.
M# with “HAS” prefix at bottom.
“POSTAGE/PAID” vertical at both sides.
A. Large frank, 38-39 x 28-29mm
B. Medium frank 36-37 x 26-27mm
C. Small frank, 32-33 x 26-27mm
TM: DC
V/F:      00.00










CB5. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Similar to Type CB4C but without inner frame line below the value figures.
M# “HAS” prefix at left with number at right.
A. Vertical panel lines added at sides
B. Without vertical panel lines
TM: DC
V/F:      00.00






CB6. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Large square frank with double straight-line outer border.
M# with “HAS” prefix in bottom panel.
TM: DC
V/F:      00.00




CB7. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

As Type CB6 but with single-line border.
M# with “HAS” prefix in bottom panel.
TM: DC
V/F:      00.00



CB8. Neopost "2205" (MV).

Upright frank with single straight line border.
“ZIMBABWE” at top, “POSTAGE/PAID” at lower left, M# with "N" prefix at lower right.
TM: DC, BIC
V/F:      000      0,00      0·00



CB9. Neopost "2205" (MV).

As Type CB8 but wider and “REPUBLIC OF/ZIMBABWE” at both top and bottom.
“POSTAGE” vertical at left, “PAID” vertical at right.
M# “NEO” prefix in lower left and number in lower right.
TM: BIC
V/F:      0,00
a. Comma inverted at top of V/F (shown)



CB10. Satas (MV).

Square frank with single line border.
“POSTAGE/PAID” vertical at left.
Inner box around value figures.
M# with “SA” prefix at bottom.
TM: DC
V/F:      0.00



CB11. Satas (MV).

As Type CB10 but without inner box around value figures.
M# with “SA” prefix at bottom.
TM: DC
V/F:      00.00



CB12. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Square frank with thick frame line.
“ZIMBABWE” at both top and bottom, smaller at bottom.
“POSTAGE” at left, "PAID” at right.
M# with “NE” prefix.
TM: DC
V/F:      ≋0,00



CB13. Neopost “2205” (MV).

Frank slightly taller than wide.
Country name in panel at top.
Inner frame around value figures.
“POSTAGE PAID” vertical at both sides.
M# with “NE” prefix at bottom.
TM: BIC
V/F:      0,00



CB14. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Square frank with panels at top, bottom and sides.
Country name in both top and bottom panels.
“POSTAGE” vertical at left, and “PAID” vertical at right.
M# with “N” or “F” prefix below value figures.
TM: DC
V/F:      ≋0,00



CB15. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Similar to Type CB14 with panels on all four sides, but slightly larger.
Country name in top panel only.
“POSTAGE PAID” vertical in both side panels.
M# with “HAS” prefix in bottom panel.
TM: DC
V/F:      0000∙00



CB16. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Large frank slightly wider than tall.
Panels at top, bottom and left side.
Country name at top, M# with “HAS” prefix at bottom, and “POSTAGE PAID” vertical at left.
TM: DC
V/F:      000.00




CB17. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Similar to Type CB15 but the right side panel extends to the top of the frank.
The value figures have a fixed double zero inside the right panel leaving "POSTAGE" above and "PAID" below.
TM: SC, DC
V/F:      0000 •00 0000 0•00





CB18. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).

Similar to Type CB15 but the frank is larger and has a double line outer rim with "ZIMBABWE" in both top and bottom panels.
xxxTM: DC
V/F:      0000∙00





GROUP PO: Special stamps used only in post offices[edit | edit source]


Sub-group PO-A: Stamps in use while country was designated “Southern Rhodesia”[edit | edit source]


PO-A1. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV), 1949.   [$20]

Special stamp for Parcel Post.
Wide frank with double straight-line border.
M# at top, value figures at right.
“PARCEL POST” at left, “PAID” in center.
Town line at bottom center, date breaking lower left frame line.
Four machines known, M# UR1 - 4
V/F:      0/00/oo −/ − −/ −



PO-A2. National Cash Register (MV).   [$75]

Special stamp for Parcel Post.
Borderless frank printed on large square label.
Date at top above curved “PARCEL POST”.
Value in center with 4-digit serial number at right.
“PAID” with or without M# below the value figures.
Town and country name (“S. Rhodesia”) in curve at bottom.
M#s 1, 2, and blank seen
V/F:      — —0•0



PO-A3. Universal "Multi-Value" (MV), 1966.      [Only one example seen, value unknown]

Frank frame as with PO-A1 but text arrangement as follows:
- At left, town name (CAUSWAY) above "S. RHODESIA"
- At right:
- Value figures centered with "SOUTHERN" above and "s. | d." over "RHODESIA" below
- "POSTAGE PAID" vertical reading up at left and down at right
M# S.R.G. 2 (Presumably meters S.R.G. 1 and 3 were also in use.)
V/F:      0/0




Sub-group PO-B: Stamps used while country was designated “Rhodesia”[edit | edit source]


PO-B1. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV).

As Type PO-A3 but with "SOUTHERN" removed at top.
M#s R.G.1, 2 and 3.
A. With “Sh | D” below value figures (£sd)   [$15]
B. With horizontal line below value figures (shown) (decimal)   [$10]
C. With "$ | C" below value figures (decimal)   [$20]
TM: SL at center left
V/F:      00 ("A")      0/0 ("A")      00– ("B" and "C")



PO-B2. Anker? (MV).   [$10]

Stamp used for Parcel Post.
Frank without frame lines printed on large horizontal label.
Town and country name at top above “PAID / PARCEL POST”.
Date (year vertical reading down), serial number and postage value across bottom.
Printed in purple on plain paper.
V/F:      o00.00




PO-B3. Universal “Automax” (MV).   [$15]

Large horizontal design with town name at top left and country name at bottom right.
Single straight outer frame line with indentation for date at bottom left.
M# with “U” prefix at center left.
Printed in red.
A. With box around value figures
B. Value figures unboxed
V/F:      =’—0’0=







PO-B4. Anker? (MV).

Stamp used for Registration.
Printed in purple on plain white paper tape.
Large “R” at upper left with town name beside it.
Below are the reg. # and postage value.
Without date.
A. With “RHODESIA” below town name
B. Without country name   [$10]
V/F:      $00.00
a. Printed in black (gray) rather than purple






Sub-group PO-C: Stamps used after name change to “Zimbabwe”[edit | edit source]



PO-C1. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV).

Similar to Type PO-B1 but with new country inscription.
M# with “R.G.” prefix
V/F:      00—




PO-C2. Anker? (MV), 1980.

Similar to Type PO-B4 but with new country inscription, or dated after 1980.
Used only for registered mail.
A. With “ZIMBABWE” below post office name, date with vertical year figure in bottom line
B. Without country name, date with vertical year figure in bottom line
C. Without country name, without date
V/F:      $ 00.00      * 000.00


NOTE: Sub-type C is identical to Type PO-B4B and can be identified only by evidence on the mail piece such as a 1980 or later postmark.









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