Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, The Maldives postmarked on May 15, 1978.

The Maldives

An independent elective sultante since 1965, the Maldives rise from the Indian Ocean about 400 miles southwest of Sri Lanka — 2000 coral islets none of which is larger than 5 square miles, arranged in about a dozen atolls. These tropical islands are flat, low and covered with grass and shrubs with occasional dense stands of palms or fruit trees. The economy is based on the export of dried bonito fish and copra, with growing income also provided by tourism.

The Maldive Coronation Anniversary issue, designed by Shamir, consists of six stamps:

1L — Ampulla. Containing the oil with which the monarch is anointed, the Ampulla is kept on the Altar until needed. Oil is then poured from the receptacle within, through the beak into the Anointing Spoon. The Ampulla is much older than most items of regalia, having escaped the destruction of regalia following the Civil War.

2L — Sceptre with Dore. At one time a fertility symbol (linked to deities such as Dionysus, Ishtar and Venus) the dove became for the Christians emblematic of constancy, peace and the soul. The sceptre is a symbolic weapon, representing authority.

3L — Queen's Orb. Both cross and globe were ancient fertility signs, reflected but dimly today as the 1 +' sign, and gifts of eggs at Easter. For Christians, however, the composite symbol of the orb represents concepts of Crusade and Empire; of spreading the word of Christianity throughout the globe.

1.15R - St. Edward's Crown. This, the Crown of England, is worn by the sovereign only at the Coronation, the Imperial State Crown serving for other occasions. It is a copy of the earlier crown, destroyed by Parliament who saw it as integral to the idea of the 'Divine Right of Kings', or royal despotism.

2R - Sceptre with Cross. Presented to the Queen after the Anointing, but before the Crowning, this Sceptre signifies 'kingly power and justice'.

5R — Portrait of H.M. the Queen. The Queen is depicted wearing a tiara of fleurs-de-lys and crosses, and the Order of the Garter.