Scott #566 - 15¢ Statue of Liberty with Inverted Columbus, Ohio Precancel - Fourth Bureau EFO Variety

Scott 566 – 15¢ Statue of Liberty – Inverted Columbus, Ohio Precancel EFO

A standout example of the 15¢ Statue of Liberty definitive from the 1922 Fourth Bureau Issue, featuring an upside-down COLUMBUS OHIO precancel. Inverted local overprints from major postal centers remain highly collectible, especially on higher-denomination Fourth Bureau stamps, where precancel varieties are less common. This example shows strong contrast, clear lettering, and the classic BEP engraved lines that make this issue a favorite among U.S. definitive specialists, precancel collectors, and EFO enthusiasts.

Key Features

• 15¢ Statue of Liberty definitive

• Scott #566

• Fourth Bureau Issue (1922–1931)

• Inverted Columbus, Ohio, local precancel

• Bold horizontal bar precancel type

• Clean strike with excellent legibility

• Engraved BEP production with strong detail

• Recognized EFO (Errors, Freaks & Oddities) overprint variety

• Ideal for precancel town-type collectors, Liberty-themed collections, and Fourth Bureau studies

Technical Details

• Denomination: 15 cents

• Design subject: Statue of Liberty

• Printer: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

• Printing method: Engraved

• Cancel type: Columbus, OH town-and-state precancel

• Orientation: Inverted impression

• Classification: U.S. precancel EFO / misapplied overprint

• Condition: Appears sound with intact perforations

Collector Appeal

• Precancel collectors seeking inverted overprints or misapplied town markings

• Fourth Bureau Issue specialists looking for varieties on mid- and high-value denominations

• EFO collectors of inverted, misaligned, or shifted overprints

• Ohio cancel collectors and regional specialists

• Lovers of classic BEP engraved U.S. definitives

• Album builders seeking visually distinctive pieces with substantial story value

• Collectors searching for “inverted precancel,” “Fourth Bureau precancel variety,” “Columbus Ohio precancel,” or “Liberty definitive error.”

Inverted precancels are a popular subcategory within U.S. town-type precancels because they reflect real mechanical or operator-driven variation. On the 15¢ Statue of Liberty, the contrast between the bold black overprint and the engraved vignette makes this upside-down strike especially noticeable.

Additional Notes

• Columbus, Ohio precancels are well-documented and include multiple local device types

• Inverted strikes remain less common than standard orientations and are cataloged by precancel specialists

• Strong example for anyone building out U.S. precancel reference pages, Fourth Bureau varieties, or a specialized Liberty-themed collection