In 1949 the territories of Papua and New Guinea, both administered by Australia were merged as the self-governing country of Papua New Guinea. The stamp marks the independence for the new country, achieved in 1975. It shows a map of Papua New Guinea highlighted in yeallow, with the coat of arms of the country. A second stamp in the set shows the same map with the flag of the new country.

     To commemorate the Fifth South Pacific Conference held on Pago Pago in 1962, Paupa and New Guinea issued a set of three stamps featuring a map of the islands of the Pacific Ocean, from the Mariannas to Pitcairn. Only one of the stamps is shown.