Scott #568 – 20¢ Franklin Orange Pair with Inverted Providence RI Precancel – Connected Off-Center Variety

Scott 568 – 20¢ Franklin Pair with Dual Inverted Providence RI Precancel

A connected horizontal pair of the 20¢ Benjamin Franklin definitive (Scott #568) from the 1923 Fourth Bureau Issue, each showing a bold, inverted Providence, Rhode Island boxed precancel. Higher-denomination precancels are far less common than their 1–3¢ counterparts, and examples that survive as connected multiples are especially desirable. This pair also shows slight off-center alignment, a characteristic that reinforces its status as a genuine production variety and a collectible EFO for specialists.

Key Features

• 20¢ Franklin Orange from the Fourth Bureau definitive series

• Connected horizontal pair with intact perforations

• Both precancels are inverted and heavily inked

• Providence, Rhode Island, boxed cancel variety

• Slight off-center impression that adds technical interest

• Strong visual contrast between design and overprint

• Appeals to precancel collectors, EFO specialists, and Fourth Bureau era enthusiasts

• Scarcer higher-denomination example compared to common 1¢–3¢ issues

Technical Details

Scott number: 568
Issue year: 1923
Denomination: 20 cents
Color: Orange
Design: Benjamin Franklin, engraved portrait
Printing: Intaglio (Bureau of Engraving and Printing)
Cancel type: Providence, Rhode Island, boxed precancel

Orientation: Both strikes inverted
Alignment: Slightly off-center, consistent with true hand-fed or mechanical misfeed varieties

Condition: No gum, faint hinge

Collector Appeal

Connected multiples of higher-value Fourth Bureau denominations with inverted boxed precancels are not frequently seen on the market. This pair offers a clean example of a dual inverted strike, making it suitable for:

• Precancel type collections

• State and town collectors focused on Rhode Island

• EFO and alignment-variety specialists

• Fourth Bureau period study pages

• Exhibit material emphasizing cancel mechanics and orientation errors

Additional Notes

The inverted placement and centering characteristics originate from the precanceling process rather than post-use handling. Providence, RI, boxed precancels are well-documented, and inverted examples on 20¢ Franklin pairs remain notably less common than their low-denomination counterparts.