This stamp, Balian 685, was issued on April 15, 1971 for use by civilians to send mail to military personal at a special concessionaire rate of 10mils, half that of the current standard rate of 20mils. It has been suggested this was done to boost morale by encouraging mail from the families of those serving. The concession only lasted a short while was dropped sometime during the end of 1973 or sometime in 1974. The stamp common unused however is rarely seen used on cover for its intended use. It is considered to be part of Egypt's definitives
When the concession ended, or maybe while still in operation, the stamp was also used for the normal postage the twenty mill rate being made either by the use of two stamps or in conjunction with another 10mil stamp.
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