The Four Flags series issued in 2012 paired the American flag with four words: Freedom, Liberty, Equality, Justice. Each word appeared on its own stamp. This is the Freedom coil version, issued February 22 - Washington's birthday.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Catalog Number: Scott #4633 / Michel #4823

• Denomination: Forever (valued at 45¢ at time of issue)

• Date of Issue: February 22, 2012

• Printing Method: Photogravure

• Printer: Avery Dennison

• Perforation: Serpentine Die Cut 11 Vertically (Coil)

• Color: Multicolor

• Subject: 50-star American flag waving with the word "Freedom" in serif lettering

CONDITION ANALYSIS (Seller-Assessed)

• Status: Used

• Grading: Fine

• Postmark: Light black inkjet cancellation present. All major design features including the "2012" year mark and "Freedom" inscription remain clearly identifiable and vibrant.

• Obverse: Design is intact and fully legible throughout. No significant fading or surface damage observed.

• Reverse: Self-adhesive gum absent, as expected for a used stamp removed from mail. Reverse appears clean with no visible tears, thinning, or carrier paper remnants.

• Centering / Margins: Good. Design is well-aligned within the vertical die-cut perforations. Straight top and bottom edges intact, confirming coil format.

• Perforations: Serpentine die-cuts intact on both vertical sides. No evidence of trimming or artificial alteration observed.

  
  

HISTORY

The Four Flags definitive series launched February 22, 2012, pairing the 50-star American flag with four foundational national values: Freedom, Liberty, Equality, and Justice. Each value was issued across both coil and sheet formats, producing eight distinct catalog entries from a single design concept. The series was designed for everyday first-class postal use as a Forever stamp, valid permanently regardless of future rate changes.

Scott #4633 is the coil version of the Freedom stamp, produced by Avery Dennison using photogravure printing. Avery Dennison had been producing self-adhesive U.S. stamps since the early 1990s alongside the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the coil format with vertical serpentine die-cuts and straight top and bottom edges was the company's standard production method for this type of issue.

The February 22 issue date is Washington's birthday — a date with obvious resonance for a patriotic flag series, whether deliberate or coincidental. The word "Freedom" in a classic serif font over the waving flag gives the design a visual directness that made the series one of the more recognizable everyday issues of the early 2010s.

STEVEN SAYS

Four stamps, four words: Freedom, Liberty, Equality, Justice. The series is simple and direct. Issued February 22, Washington's birthday. Whether that date was deliberate or coincidental, it fits.