In the early part of 1930 Ash decided to
replace the single electro used for this value. This gave him the opportunity to prepare a
new die similar to the one he had used for the second die of the 3d late in the previous
year. The new die showed the numerals and letters of value thicker, the frames thin, the
corners pointed and the background shading lines thin. The most easily discerned
differences from the first die are the figures and letters of value.
Presumably because
the demand for the value had been increasing Ash produced two plates
These plates were probably of delta metal, electrolytically coated. The two
plates are distinguishable by the imprints (upper is N over A, lower is N over
N). Each was surrounded by co-extensive marginal lines.
The same overprint forme layout as the 2d
was used. Namely, an electro block of 15, built as 4x15 per pane for the full 2
plates.
But, before the stamps even
appeared, the 1930 postal rate increases rendered the 4½d unnecessary! The
entire printing, except for a few sheets, was overprinted "FIVE PENCE".
Un-overprinted sheets cancelled CTO, and a few mint specimens are known. Some of
them were issued in blocks in meeting bulk order from dealers.
