Page 83 - Pakistan: Beyond the Catalogue

PAKISTAN DECIMAL CURRENCY OVERPRINTS

On 1 January 1961 Pakistan replaced its existing currency of 12 Pies = 1 Anna, 16 Annas = 1
Rupee with a decimal system whereby 100 Paisa = 1 Rupee. The Postal Authorities were
hopelessly ill prepared for the change-over.

Whilst stamps in the new currency had been ordered, it became obvious that these would not be
available on time in anything approaching the quantities required and that there were huge stocks
of stamps in the old currency held by District Treasuries and Post Offices throughout the country.
Accordingly a decision was taken in November 1960 to overprint existing stocks. Three values
were surcharged by Pakistan Security Printing Corporation who for many years had produced the
majority of Pakistan's postage stamps. They performed a very credible job. Any errors on these
three values may be considered to be forgeries.

The overprinting of the remaining three values was put out to tender and Times Press, submitting
the lowest price, won the contract. Perhaps unsurprisingly, their overprinting was carried out to a
very low standard and errors and varieties abound.

On 6 December 1960 overprinting at local level was authorized. Both Ordinary and Service
stamps received handstamps (or in two cases machine overprints). These "local overprints" were
valid for postage throughout Pakistan and internationally. They can be found used in
combination with stamps in the old currency, with the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation and
Times Press overprinted issues and with the newly produced definitive stamps. They are beyond
the scope of all mainstream stamp catalogues.