Great Britain · Reign
King George V Stamps: A Collector's Guide
King George V reigned from 1910 to 1936, and his stamps are among the most admired in British philately. They include the definitive heads of everyday postage, the magnificent "Seahorses" high values of 1913, the first British commemoratives, and the 1935 Silver Jubilee set with its famous Prussian Blue error. Most are affordable, while the Seahorses, the 1929 Postal Union Congress £1, and certain rarities are highly prized.
At a glance
A golden age of British stamps
The reign of George V is often regarded as a high point of British stamp design. It produced the dignified definitive heads of daily postage, and, in the Seahorses, some of the most beautiful stamps Britain has ever issued.
It also saw the first British commemoratives, marking the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, and closed with the popular Silver Jubilee set of 1935. For collectors it offers both affordable everyday stamps and genuine showpieces. Our Great Britain stamps hub places the reign between Edward VII and George VI.
The key issues to know
- The definitive heads. The everyday stamps, worth from pennies, with value in scarce shades, watermarks, control numbers and varieties, a specialist field.
- The "Seahorses" (1913). The large, handsome high values, the 2s6d, 5s, 10s and £1, the showpieces of the reign, with the £1 especially admired.
- The early commemoratives. The 1924 and 1925 Wembley issues, and above all the 1929 Postal Union Congress set, whose £1 is one of the most desirable twentieth-century British stamps.
- The 1935 Silver Jubilee. A popular set, notable for the 2½d Prussian Blue, a scarce colour error and a famous George V rarity.
Our King George V stamp values guide gives the figures for each.
The 1913 Seahorses
Some of Britain's finest stamps
The large, handsome Seahorses high values are the showpieces of the reign, while the everyday definitives reward the specialist with shades, watermarks and control numbers. A field with both affordable depth and genuine showpieces.
How to identify and value George V stamps
For any George V stamp, the questions are what it is and what it is worth. The profile of George V identifies the reign; the exact stamp is pinned down by watermark, perforation, shade and, on the definitives, control numbers, as our guide to identifying British stamps explains. For value, the everyday stamps are affordable, while the Seahorses, the Postal Union Congress £1 and the Prussian Blue are valuable, with condition and centring weighing heavily. Our King George V stamp values guide sets out the figures.
Collecting George V stamps
For every level of collector
The reign suits every level of collector. The definitive heads give an affordable and absorbing study of shades, watermarks and control numbers, while the Seahorses and the great commemoratives offer showpieces to aspire to. It is a field where patience and an eye for condition are well rewarded. We are glad to help you find George V material, from everyday stamps to the high values, each honestly described and photographed front and back; browse our Great Britain stamps, or ask us what is available.
Frequently asked questions
The British stamps of George V's reign, from 1910 to 1936, including the definitive heads, the 1913 Seahorses high values, the first British commemoratives, and the 1935 Silver Jubilee.
One of the large, handsome high-value stamps of 1913, the 2s6d, 5s, 10s and £1, showing Britannia in a chariot drawn by horses through the waves. They are the showpieces of the reign.
A scarce colour error of the 1935 Silver Jubilee 2½d, printed in the wrong blue shade. It is a famous George V rarity. Our King George V value guide explains.
The everyday definitives are mostly modest, while the Seahorses, the 1929 Postal Union Congress £1 and the Prussian Blue are valuable. Condition and centring matter greatly.
A high point of British design
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Founder and stamp dealerLast updated June 2026