French Polynesia

The territory of French Polynesia includes the Society Islands, Marquesas Islands, Austral Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, and Gambier Islands. All meter stamps save those used by the military have POLYNESIE FRANCAISE in the frank. The earliest meters appear to have been introduced in the 1960s.
The stamps are grouped by usage:

A - stamps from mechanical meters for general business and private use

B - stamps from digital meters for general business and private use

PO - stamps generated by machines in Post Offices

Varieties exist with regard to the engraving of the dies, falling into the following categories:

1. Size of "POLYNESIE FRANÇAISE":

a. "POLYNESIE" wider than "FRANÇAISE"

b. "POLYNESIE" the same width as "FRANÇAISE"

c. "POLYNESIE" narrower then "FRANÇAISE"

2. Size of "POSTES":

a. "POSTES" wide

b. "POSTES" narrow

3. Value indicator:

a. Value figures may vary in thickness and shape for the same model.

b. The size of the "

" prefix may vary.

c. The size of the "F" indicator after the V/F (when present) may vary.

4. M# format:

a. With a space between the M# prefix and the number.

b. Without a space between the M# prefix and the number.

c. With an underscore or dash between the M# prefix and the number.

Note: The illustrations above are based on Type PO1, but may occur on other types fitted with engraved dies as well.

GROUP A: Stamps for general business and private use (mechanical)

NOTE: The stamps previously catalogued as Types A1 and A7 are Post Office stamps. They are now catalogued as Types PO1 and PO2.

A2. Satas “R” (MV).

Date figures short.

M# with “SR” prefix

TM: SC

V/F:

000

a. TM inverted [$15]

A3. Satas “J” (MV).

Date figures tall.

M# with “SJ” prefix

TM: SC

V/F:

00 000 0000

a. V/F without leading star: 00 (SJ 19506) [$15]

A4. Satas “F” (MV).

Date figures tall.

M# with “SF” prefix

TM: SC

V/F:

000

A5. Satas “L” (MV).

M# with “SL” prefix

TM: SC

V/F:

000

A6. Secap “NA” (MV).

[$10]

“POSTES” nearly straight.

M# with “NA” prefix

TM: SC

V/F: 0000

A8. Secap "NE" / "NL" (MV).

M# with “PF” prefix.

TM: SC

A. Model NE: V/F: 000

B. Model NL: V/F: 0000

A9. SMH Alcatel (Neopost) “Electronic” (MV).

M# with “R” prefix.

TM: SC, DC

V/F: ≋000

a. Meter number with "SJ" prefix, normally on Type A3

A10. Neopost (MV).

Date with stops centered between day, month, and year.

M# with “F” prefix.

TM: SC

V/F: 0000

GROUP B: Stamps for general business and private use (digital)

B1. Neopost "IJ series" (MV).

The frank is as wide as it is tall, and the town mark is a square nearly the same size as the frank.

Value figures closer to top than to center of frank.

"LA POSTE" above meter number at bottom.

M# with "IJ" prefix with space between the prefix and the number.

TM: square, open at center of sides

V/F: 00000

B2. Neopost "IJ series" (MV).

Very similar to Type B1 but the value figures are closer to the center, and the town mark rectangle is wider than tall.

"OPT" above meter number at bottom.

M# with "IJ" prefix with no space between the prefix and the number.

TM: rectangle, open at center of sides

V/F: 00000

a. Misprint with narrower, square town mark (as found on Type B1) that is too narrow to contain the transaction and ID numbers at bottom.

B3. Neopost "IJ series" (MV).

Very similar to Type B2 but the date is below the level of the value figures.

"OPT" above meter number at bottom.

M# with "IJ" prefix with no space between the prefix and the number.

TM: rectangle, open at center of sides

V/F: 00000

GROUP PO: Stamps generated only by machines in Post Offices

PO1. Satas “P” (MV).

Stamp as found in Group A but with time of day indicated.

Date figures tall. Hour figure between TM and frank.

M# with “SP” prefix

TM: SC

V/F:

000F

000

PO2. Secap “N1” (MV). [$10]

Stamp as found in Group A but with time of day indicated.

Hour figure left of the TM.

M# with “N1” prefix

TM: SC

V/F: 0000

a. Military Official stamp, with “POSTALE AUX ARMEES” in the town mark. M#s N1-96, -203, -207, and -211 reported. [$15]

PO3. Satas (MV).

M# with “S” prefix.

TM: straight-line with date in center including hour and minutes

V/F:

0000

a. Without meter number. [$10]

PO4. Olivetti “PR50” (digital).

Frameless design on self-adhesive label with underprint in yellow brown of beach scene.

Town name at top above “TAHITI – I.D.V.”

Date and hour at center above postal code.

Value at far right above machine number with “P” prefix.

V/F: 000

a. With large “R” and number at left, for registered mail.