Ray Types

There are 8 different ray sub-types, the first (N2a) being issued by New South Wales in 1857 when Queensland was still part of that colony and the remaining 7 after its establishment as a separate colony in 1859.

All the rays have four segments (with one exception, 103 Avondale which has 4) and differ according to the number of rays and their thickness (which sometimes changed over time reflecting wear and tear). The length in mm refers to the height of the ray numeral, so for eg the catalog entry for numeral 121 (Clifton) is:

• Chalon Ray type 1c (5 mm) (18 Rays) is rated 4R

The 18 rays indicates the specific number of rays for this type and the height of the individual (121) numerals is 5 mm

The Queensland ray types were introduced in groups from 1860 – 1876 and the highest rated number is 214.

Type N2a. 17 – 22 thin rays (26 in the case of no. 74). Thick numbers. Nos  74, 81, 85-87, 95-96, 108, 110, 131, 133, 151, 201, 214

Type 1a. 34 – 40 thick rays. Thick numbers. Nos 14, 15, 21-26

Type 1b. 37 thick rays. Thick numbers. Nos 27-29, (30), 63

Type 1c. 16-20 rays. Thin or thick numbers. Nos 31-42, 44-53, (54), 111-116, (117), 118-122, 126-130, 214

Type 1d. 31-32 thin rays. Nos 43, 55-59, (60), 61-70, 72-73, 92, 94-95, 100

Type 1e. 23-25 thin rays. Nos 29, 71, 75-85, 87-91, 93, 96-99, 101-110, 131-150, 152-177

Type 1f. 20-22 thick rays. Nos 87, 123-125

Type 1g. 26-27 thick rays. Nos 74, 81

Where the numerals are in brackets it means the numeral is assumed to be that type but has yet to be seen.