Description – PM type 5 (JC-MN-RF) diamond with lines running parallel to long diagonal with numeral inset. The commonest subtype has 4 graded lines above/below inset. Common. Examples with 5 lines above/below Cooper considered very scarce. My feeling is it is perhaps only a little scarce.

This type was introduced during the end of 1855 for the Northern circle subdivided into NWP, Punjab, and United Provinces. Renouf though recorded instances of January and March 1856, the latter apparently unclear. Examples are found on Lithographic material, and a few instances are found post 1865 DLR with watermark, but are primarily found on early DLR printing stamps 1856-64. It was in general use until 1862. Blue examples are considered very scarce. 

PM subtype 5a – (JC-MN-RF) Diamond with closer finer lines running parallel to long diagonal solid tips top/bottom (see Martin image p.30) without numeral inset. More like 15-17 rather than normal type 5 with 11 lines. Considered to be a post Mutiny variant (1857 onwards), only a few POs are recorded 40, 45, 46, 47, 52, 55, 56, 60, 176, 177, 178, 197, 261. Only encountered on early DLR printing period. Extremely rare.

PM subtype 5b – (JC) Diamond with closer finer lines running vertically parallel to long diagonal with distinct numeral inset parallel to short diagonal. Only encountered on early DLR printing stamps. Possibly mostly emanating from ’33’ Almorah (Almorah Uttarakhand) - Extremely scarce.

PM subtype 5c – (JC) Fine definition sub-variation from Agra City long slender numeral ‘1’ with 6 graded lines above/below numeral inset. Very scarce.