However, these iconic red cylindrical structures carry more than just mail—they also bear different symbols on their fronts, each providing a significant clue about when the box was made.
A recent viral revelation on social media has added a new layer of intrigue to these familiar fixtures.
Alongside a picture featuring three postboxes, a user shared a surprising fact, stating, "Today is the day I learnt that they're not just attached to the floor!"
The post gained widespread attention, being shared on Instagram by @TheArchbishopOfBanterbury, where it garnered hundreds of thousands of likes.
The revelation sparked astonishment among thousands of users who flocked to the comments section to express their disbelief and newfound understanding of what lies beneath a postbox.
The discreet letters on postboxes, formally referred to as the "Royal Cypher," offer a subtle yet revealing glimpse into the time of their creation, indicating the reigning monarch at that period.
For instance, if you encounter a postbox adorned with the letters 'ER,' signifying "Elizabeth Regina," you can deduce that it has been present within the last 70 years. This timeframe aligns with Queen Elizabeth II's reign, spanning from 1952 to 2022.
The ciphers 'GR' on a postbox harken back to the era of King George V, reigning from 1910 to 1936. Meanwhile, postboxes featuring 'GR VI' reference the reign of King George VI, who ascended the throne from 1936 to 1952. In this case, the letters stand for 'George Rex,' with the latter half denoting 'King' in Latin.
According to The Postal Museum, the royal ciphers on Britain's postboxes carry historical significance, with some of the oldest ones bearing the 'VR' cipher, representing Queen Victoria's initials.
In more contemporary postboxes, you'll encounter the 'ER' symbol, paying homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II. This cipher decodes as Elizabeth, Regina, with the former denoting the late monarch's given name, and the latter translating to 'Queen' in Latin.
Another prevalent cipher is 'GR,' where 'G' signifies King George V, and 'R' stands for Rex, translating directly to 'King' in Latin.
As King Charles III ascends the throne, the anticipation is for new postboxes to showcase the 'CR' royal cipher. Similar to his predecessors, the 'C' initial represents Charles, the current monarch's name, while 'R' maintains its Latin title as Rex.
the presence of these royal ciphers on letterboxes dating back to 1852, some residents are only realizing that the unique symbols exist now.
The revelation of these royal features on postboxes has left many royal enthusiasts expressing their shock in social media.
One person said: Really? So George Rex and Elizabeth Regina mean nothing to people? I was never officially told what these things mean - it’s just learned by osmosis.
A second wrote: These are the Royal Cyphers, found on post boxes. GR and ERII are the two most common types, due to how long George V and Elizabeth II reigned. The rarest post boxes are those with Edward VIII, who only reigned for about a year. New postboxes being made will obviously have CIIIR, for King Charles, assuming they don’t continue to use up the old ERII stock first.
GR refers to George Rex (King George) and ER stands for Elizabeth Regina I always used to think it was Elizabeth Royal. While a third commented.
