1869 US 15-Cent Landing of Columbus Invert Value & Price Guide

The 1869 Pictorial Issue was America's first set of stamps to feature images beyond portraits of dead presidents and founding fathers. The 15-cent value depicted the Landing of Columbus, an ambitious multicolor design that required two separate printing passes through the press. When the paper was fed through upside down on the second pass, the result was an invert error: Columbus landing with the frame upside down relative to the central vignette. These errors are among the most celebrated rarities in American philately.

Quick Value Summary

Detail	Info
Item	1869 US 15-Cent Landing of Columbus Invert (Scott #119b)
Year	1869
Denomination	15 cents
Category	Stamps
Used, Faults	$15,000 - $25,000
Used, Average	$25,000 - $50,000
Used, Fine	$50,000 - $100,000
Unused (no gum)	$80,000 - $150,000
Unused (original gum)	$150,000 - $250,000+
Record Sale	~$300,000+ (finest known examples)
Estimated Survivors	Approximately 100

The Story

The 1869 Pictorial Issue (Scott #112-122) represented a dramatic departure for US stamps. Previous issues had featured only portraits. The 1869 series introduced scenes: a post horse and rider (2 cents), a locomotive (3 cents), the S.S. Adriatic steamship (12 cents), the Landing of Columbus (15 cents), the Declaration of Independence (24 cents), an eagle and shield (30 cents), and Abraham Lincoln (90 cents).

The higher-denomination stamps used two-color printing, which required running each sheet of paper through the press twice. The central vignette (the picture) was printed first in one color. Then the frame (border, denomination, and text) was printed in a second color on a separate pass. If a sheet was accidentally rotated 180 degrees between passes, the vignette appeared inverted within the frame.

The 15-cent stamp, printed in brown and blue, depicted Columbus stepping ashore. When the invert occurred, the Landing of Columbus vignette appeared upside down relative to the frame. The error was recognized almost immediately. The 1869 series was already controversial (the public found the designs too elaborate), and the inverting errors embarrassed the Post Office Department.

The 24-cent (Declaration of Independence) and 30-cent (Shield, Eagle, and Flags) values also produced invert errors. All three are major philatelic rarities, but the 15-cent Columbus invert holds a special place as the most visually dramatic, since the scene of Columbus landing is clearly recognizable even upside down.

How to Identify It

• Scott Number: #119b (the invert). Normal version is Scott #119.

• Colors: Brown center (vignette), blue frame. The invert has the brown Columbus scene inverted within the blue frame.

• Design: Landing of Columbus after a painting by John Vanderlyn. Multiple figures on a shore with ships visible in the background.

• Perforation: 12

• Size: Approximately 25mm x 20mm

Normal vs. Invert

The invert is immediately recognizable: the Columbus scene is upside down relative to the frame text "U.S. POSTAGE" and "FIFTEEN CENTS." On the normal stamp, Columbus stands right-side-up within the frame.

Condition Factors

• Centering: Stamps of this era were typically poorly centered. Well-centered examples command significant premiums.

• Perforations: All perforations should be intact. Pulled or missing perfs reduce value.

• Color: The brown and blue should be strong without significant fading.

• Cancellation: Used copies with light cancellations are more valuable than those with heavy strikes that obscure the design.

Value by Condition

Used with Faults

Heavy cancellation, short perforations, thin spot, or small tear. Even with faults, a used 1869 15-cent invert sells for $15,000 to $25,000. The rarity of the error supports strong values regardless of condition.

Used, Average Condition

Clear cancellation, intact perforations, average centering. Used copies in average condition trade for $25,000 to $50,000.

Used, Fine Condition

Light cancellation, good centering, intact perforations, strong colors. Fine used examples command $50,000 to $100,000.

Unused (No Gum)

An unused example that has lost its original gum (possibly through soaking or storage). Values range from $80,000 to $150,000.

Unused (Original Gum)

The most valuable condition for this stamp. An unused example retaining its original gum sells for $150,000 to $250,000 or more. Full original gum examples are extremely rare.

The 1869 Invert Family

Stamp	Scott # (Invert)	Colors	Estimated Survivors	Value Range
15¢ Columbus	#119b	Brown & Blue	~100	$15,000 - $250,000+
24¢ Declaration	#120b	Green & Violet	~90	$20,000 - $300,000+
30¢ Shield & Flags	#121b	Blue & Carmine	~45	$50,000 - $500,000+

Authentication

Authentication is critical at these values:

• Expert certificates: The Philatelic Foundation (PF) and Professional Stamp Experts (PSE) are the two leading authentication bodies for US stamps.

• Forgeries exist: Both photographic forgeries (where a normal stamp's vignette is chemically altered) and complete counterfeits are known.

• Paper analysis: Genuine 1869 stamps use specific paper stock that can be identified by experienced experts.

• Ink analysis: The specific inks used in 1869 have characteristics that differ from later reproductions.

• Provenance: Many of the approximately 100 surviving examples are documented in census records and can be traced through auction histories.

Never purchase an unexamined example of this stamp. Require a current Philatelic Foundation or PSE certificate before completing any transaction.

Where to Sell

• Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries: The premier auction house for rare US stamps. They have sold multiple 1869 inverts.

• Heritage Auctions: Strong philatelic department for high-value stamps.

• H.R. Harmer: Another major stamp auction house with experience in classic US rarities.

• Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions: Established stamp auction firm.

Authentication costs: Philatelic Foundation certificates cost $50 to $500 depending on declared value. For a stamp potentially worth $50,000+, the authentication cost is negligible.

Think you might have an 1869 invert? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for a preliminary assessment.

Explore More

The 1869 Pictorial Issue inverts are founding rarities of American philately. The 15-cent Columbus invert captures a pivotal moment in both postal and American history.

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