Australia 2006 $5 Wildflowers Issue - Is Gold Bar Normal?

I've only got two copies of this stamp (Scott #2491), but, in terms of the bar or strip behind the denomination, one is blackish brown and the other is gold (and shiny).

Does anyone know which is the 'normal' colour for this issue? Or whether there were two different printings? Or whether the gold comes off when the stamp is soaked?

Here's a scan of the two stamps:



Of course, the scan doesn't capture the luminous quality of the gold bar (on the right), but I think you'll still be able to see that there's a difference in colour.

I had a look at my used copies, and some are definitely golder than others. It might be due to soaking. On the other hand this high value definitive is on its 4th koala (i.e. its fourth reprint) so that might account for the variation in colour.

Thanks for looking at your copies and reporting back, 22 crows.

What about your unused copies, if you have any?

I only have the original 2006 mint issue, which is clearly gold, and the same as the $10 waratah.

I have 2 copies here soaked off and they seem the same colour.

One stamp, however, is over all fluorescent on the front under my long wave UV lamp while the other is dull. Sorry no camera, just a scanner.

The 2 x $10 flowers here are not fluorescent either.

Is that a known variety?

No mint ones sorry.

Thanks, 22crows. I was wondering if the gold on the $5 was a mistake, but it seems not.

I'll check my copies for fluorescence later tonight, Puzzler!

UPDATE: Puzzler, my 2 copies do not fluoresce either. However, the colours of the actual flower itself do look a little more vibrant under UV.

It is more like Hibrite paper to me. May be a transference from envelopes which do have the same brightness. I will have to do more checking here and get a pic somehow.