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The iconic red Royal Mail post boxes have always been a staple in British culture, but even though most of us may pass one on a regular basis, some people are only starting to release what the letters engraved on the boxes mean.
Sometimes printed with ER and GR symbols on the base, post boxes have always featured a subtle acknowledgment to Monarchs of the time they were made.
The engraved letters are called the “Royal Cypher” and mean that passers-by can figure out when the post box was placed due to what letters are on the base.
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Since the late Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952, all post boxes were then branded with the initials ‘ER’. The ‘E’ standing for Elizabeth, whilst the ‘R’ stands for Regina, which translates to ‘Queen’ in Latin.
A box located on Whitefriargate in Hull’s old town still features the letters ‘VR’ which stem all the way back to Queen Victoria’s reign which means the box can be placed between 1837 and 1901. Another one down Story Street features the Royal Cypher of King Edward VII who reigned after Victoria from 1901 to 1910.
(Image: Facebook)
The rarest Royal Cypher to spot on a post box would be during King Edward VIII’s reign, with the initials ‘ER III’. There were only a few of those placed as the Monarch reigned for less than a year.
Although the engraving appears on most boxes in the UK, Scotland slightly differs. The boxes do not have the ‘EIIR’ on them as at the time they were erected, some Scottish citizens did not accept Queen Elizabeth II as the second monarch with her name as Queen Elizabeth I did not rule Scotland.
Therefore some of the earlier boxes were vandalized, leading to post boxes in Scotland now depicting the Scottish crown instead.
On the history of the engraving of the Royal Mail post boxes, one Facebook user wrote: “I’m in the US and admire the deep traditions of the British. Condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
Another penned, “can’t go past one without looking at it now!”, whilst another user exclaimed “I didn’t know this!”
Regarding the existing post boxes, Royal Mail have released a statement saying that the current boxes will not be changing to King Charles III reign. However, new post boxes will now be a nod to the new Monarch.
Royal Mail said: “In line with past practice, following the death of a monarch all existing post boxes will remain unchanged. Post boxes already in production or being prepared for installation, will also retain the insignia of Queen Elizabeth II.”
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