Lesotho

Meter stamps first appear in the British colony of Basutoland around 1956. In 1966 the colony gained independence and changed its name to Lesotho.
Meter numbers appear on some stamp types and locally assigned License numbers appear on others. In a few cases, both Meter (M#) and License (L#) numbers are present in the same stamp.
The stamps are grouped by political inscription:

A - BASUTOLAND

B – LESOTHO

C - KINGDOM OF LESOTHO

GROUP A: Franks containing “BASUTOLAND” and a crown

In use from 1956 to about 1966

A1. Universal “Simplex” (LV-25). [$50]

Upright frank with simulated perforation border.

“POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical at left and right of value figures.

Large crown at bottom center.

M# with “S” prefix in small boxes in lower corners.

TM: DC

Values (£sd):

1d through 1/-

Values (decimal):

½ up

A2. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV). [$50]

Similar Type A1, but with narrower spacing.

M# with “UA” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F:

.00

A3. Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV). [$50]

Frank with double straight-line border.

M# with “NB” prefix in lower corners without boxes.

TM: DC

V/F:

0·00=

GROUP B: Franks containing “LESOTHO” without crown

In use from 1966

Sub-group BA: Vertical or square frank with simulated perforation outer border

BA1. Pitney Bowes-GB “Simplex” (LV-25). [$20]

As Type A1 but with new country name and no crown.

M# with “SB” prefix.

TM: DC

Values: ½¢ up

BA2. Pitney Bowes-GB “Automax” (MV). [$10]

As Type A2 but with new country name and no crown.

M# with “UA” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: .00= (.00½)

BA3. Pitney Bowes-GB “Automax” (MV). [$10]

Square frank with simulated perforation border.

“LESOTHO” in top panel. “POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical in side panels.

M# with “UB” prefix in small boxes in bottom corners.

TM: DC

V/F: 0.00 .00 = 0.oo=

BA3.1. Neopost "205” (MV). [Scarce, value uncertain]

Frank slightly taller than wide.

“LESOTHO” in panels at both top and bottom. “POSTAGE” vertical in both side panels.

Very narrow spacing between TM and frank.

M# with “LP” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: 0.00

BA3.2. Neopost "205” (MV). [Scarce, value uncertain]

Frank similar to Type BA3 but “LESOTHO” much smaller.

Spacing between TM and frank is narrow as with Type BA3.1.

M# with “NB” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: 0,00

BA4. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Rectangular frank with single-line simulated perforation border.

“LESOTHO” at both top and bottom.

“POSTAGE” stacked at both sides.

M# with “MR” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0,00

BA5. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Similar to Type BA4 but with “POSTAGE” and “PAID” vertical at sides.

Frank variable in size from 27-30mm wide and 26-28mm tall.

A. License number with “L”, "LE", or “LP” prefix

B. License number without prefix, repeated in both lower corners

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0,00

BA6. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Similar to Type BA5B but thick frame line as a series of semi-circles rather than simulated perforations.

L# 36 seen.

TM: DC

V/F: ≋0,00

Sub-group BB: Small, horizontal frank with simulated perforation outer border

BB1. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV). [$10]

“LESOTHO” in top panel.

M# with “UB” prefix in small boxes below “LESOTHO”.

“POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical at sides.

Value figures on lower level than date figures.

TM: DC

V/F:

0.00(½)

BB2. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV). [$10]

Frank with corner ornaments of parallel angle lines.

TM raised in relation to frank.

L# with “L” prefix below frank.

TM: DC

V/F:

≋0.00

BB3. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” (MV). [$10]

Similar to Type BB2 but L# with “LP” prefix in boxes in lower corners with two parallel lines between.

TM on same level as frank.

TM: DC

V/F:

00.00

BB4. Satas “Baby” (MV). [$10]

Frank with inner straight line border.

Country name boxed.

M# with ”TX” prefix breaks bottom frame lines.

TM: BIC

V/F:

0.00

BB5. Satas “Baby” (MV).

As Type BB4 but country name not boxed, and L# with “LP” prefix added at bottom.

M# with “TX” prefix breaks bottom frame line.

TM: BIC

V/F:

0,00

a. TM inverted, date upright (pictured)

Sub-group BC: Frank with straight outer border

BC1. Neopost “105” (LV-6,-8). [$10]

Frank with single straight-line border and inner box around value figure.

“POSTAGE” and “REVENUE” vertical at sides.

L# with “NB” or “SB” prefix.

TM: BIC

Values seen:

1, 3, 5¢

BC2. Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV).

Vertical frank with double frame line.

Country name at top, “POSTAGE and “REVENUE” vertical at sides.

L# with “NB” prefix.

TM: DC

V/F:

0·00=

BC3.1. Neopost “405/505” (MV). [$10]

Horizontal frank with country name boxed at top and repeated in bottom panel.

Side panels contain stacked “REVENUE” and “POSTAGE”.

L# with “LP” prefix in lower corners.

TM: BIC

V/F:

0,00

BC3.2. Neopost “405/505” (MV). [$20]

As Type BC3.1 but simpler design without inner panels.

"POSTAGE PAID" reads up at both sides.

L# with “LP” prefix at bottom center.

TM: DC

V/F:

0,00

BC4. Neopost “405/505” (MV). [$5]

Similar to Type BC2 but horizontal format.

L# with “NE” prefix in lower corners.

TM: BIC

V/F:

0,00

BC5. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).

Horizontal frank with single frame line.

Country name at both top and bottom.

“POSTAGE” and “PAID” vertical at sides.

L# with “L” prefix in lower corners.

TM: DC

V/F:

≋0,00

BC6. Unknown (MV).

Horizontal frank with double frame line.

Country name at both top and bottom.

“POSTAGE PAID” vertical at both sides.

L# with “HTMS” prefix at bottom.

TM: DC, flattened at bottom

V/F:

00.00

GROUP C: Franks containing “KINGDOM OF LESOTHO”

C1. Postalia "EFS" (MV).

Large nearly square frank with simulated perforation border.

“POSTAGE PAID” vertical at both sides.

"KINGDOM OF LESOTHO" in one line at both top and bottom.

M# without prefix above bottom inscription.

TM: SC

V/F:

0.00

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