Can I Use Stamps With The Queens Head On

Last week, I found an old envelope in a drawer, stamped with a faded but proud Queen Elizabeth II profile. It was a "Machin" stamp—you know, the ones with that regal silhouette against a solid color background? I nearly tossed it, then froze: Can I actually still use this? It felt like finding a old coin in your sofa, but instead of buying a coffee, you wonder if the shop will call the police.

So, let’s cut the suspense: Yes, you absolutely can use stamps with the Queen’s head on them—in the UK, at least. Royal Mail still honors them as valid postage, even after King Charles III’s reign began. They’re not illegal, not nostalgic souvenirs, just old friends that still work in the post box. No secret handshake required.

But—and here’s the ironic twist—the story isn’t that simple. If you’re a collector, you might be sitting on a tiny goldmine. The "Machin" stamps (named after the designer, Arnold Machin) were issued from 1967 until Queen Elizabeth’s passing in 2022. Some rare ones, like the 1970s "1d" with a missing color, can fetch hundreds. Check your grandma’s stamp album, maybe?

Still, for everyday mailing, Royal Mail’s official stance is: "All stamps featuring the image of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II remain valid for postage." That’s right from their website—I double-checked, because I’m paranoid and you should be too. They even say you can mix them with King Charles stamps on the same envelope. No one cares if it’s a monarch mash-up.

But Wait—There’s a Catch (Isn’t There Always?)

Yes, and it’s a doozy. If you’re outside the UK, things get murky. Royal Mail stamps only work for mail posted within the UK or from British overseas territories. If you slap a Queen’s head stamp on a letter from Paris, the French post office will shrug and say: "Non, merci." Unless it’s a global "International" stamp—those still work from abroad. Check the fine print, because irony loves a wasted stamp.

And what about the new King Charles stamps? They’re already in circulation, with his profile facing the opposite direction (tradition: the monarch’s head must turn away from the other monarch on stamps). You’ll see them on all new issues. But—and this is my favorite bit—Royal Mail will continue to produce “definitive” stamps with the Queen’s head for years, because they printed millions. So you might still buy a "Queen’s head" stamp at the post office today. Time is a flat circle, apparently.

Can You Still Use Stamps With The Queens Head On (UK)

The Collector’s Dilemma: Use or Hoard?

Here’s where I talk to you directly: if you find a rare stamp, don’t lick it. I once used a 1969 "1s" stamp (worth about £5) to mail a birthday card. My philatelist friend nearly fainted. "You used a piece of history!" he yelled. I replied: "It’s a stamp. It’s meant to be used." He didn’t speak to me for a week. Am I the villain?

But for most of us—people who just want to send a postcard to a friend—the Queen’s head is a perfectly acceptable choice. It’s even a little charming, like writing a letter with a fountain pen in 2024. You’re not old-fashioned; you’re a time traveler. Just don’t try to pay a taxi with them. That’s a different kind of royal we don’t talk about.

And the “Defaced” Stamps?

You might see Queen’s head stamps that have been overprinted with a barcode—this is Royal Mail’s new system for tracking mail. Those are still valid, too. But if someone has drawn a mustache on the Queen? Technically, the stamp is still valid for postage (the barcode is what matters), but you might get a side-eye from the postie. I’d peel it off and eat the evidence.

Queen Elizabeth's Stamps in 'The Crown' - Real Story of Queen Elizabeth

One more thing: don’t cut the barcode off a stamp to keep the Queen’s head intact. Without the barcode, the stamp is invalid. Yes, people actually do this—they’re the same folks who try to re-gift fruitcake. Don’t be that person.

The Final, Weird Truth

So, can you use stamps with the Queen’s head on? Yes, until the end of time (or 2030, whichever comes first). Royal Mail has no plan to phase them out. In fact, they’re still printing them for certain special issues. The Queen might be gone, but her face is legally glued to billions of envelopes. It’s a kind of immortality, I suppose.

Next time you see one, don’t hesitate. Stick it on, lick it, send it. You’re not breaking any rules. You’re just paying tribute to a lady who—let’s be honest—had a really great profile for a really long time. And if you find a rare one? Frame it. Or use it. The choice is yours, but remember: I’m watching.