U. S. Scott #1020 - MNH [NA01-0185-02-01]

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

1020

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Mint (NH)

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1953

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #1020 (Unused, Never Hinged – Single Stamp)
3¢ Deep Red Violet – Louisiana Purchase Sesquicentennial, 1953
(Commemorative Issue – Rotary Press Printing, Perf 11x10½, Unwatermarked)

Design Overview:
Issued April 30, 1953, Scott #1020 commemorates the 150th anniversary of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Designed by Charles R. Chickering and engraved by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the scene depicts American envoys James Monroe and Robert Livingston with French Minister François Barbé-Marbois signing the Louisiana Transfer Treaty in Paris. Inscriptions read “LOUISIANA PURCHASE SESQUICENTENNIAL 1803–1953” at left and “Signing the Louisiana Transfer, Paris 1803” at right. “MONROE, LIVINGSTON AND MARBOIS” appears below the vignette. The submitted stamp is unused, never hinged, with full original gum, bright paper, and a sharp engraved impression typical of the issue.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 79 (Fine/Very Fine).
According to the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, a Fine/Very Fine stamp has full margins but one or two narrow sides, with perforations clear of the design. The submitted example shows a slightly low and left alignment: the bottom margin is narrowest, the right widest, and the left slightly narrower than the top. All framelines remain completely clear, consistent with Fine/Very Fine centering.

Soundness Evaluation:
Minor Fault: Several short or ragged perforations, about half normal length, mostly along the top and bottom edges.
Extremely Minor Fault: Minor natural gum bend visible under angled light.
No tears, thins, or stains are present, and the gum is intact and undisturbed. Per PSE’s Soundness Table, this combination qualifies as a Minor Fault.
Soundness Classification: Minor Fault
Soundness Deduction: –20 points

Perforations and Margins:
Perforations gauge 11x10½ as issued. Teeth are genuine with no trimming or reperforation, though slightly fuzzy along the bottom edge. Margins are full but uneven—bottom narrowest, right broadest, left narrower than top. No perforation cuts the printed frame, aligning with the centering grade.

Cancellation Evaluation:
Not applicable. The stamp is unused, never hinged, and free of cancel marks.

Collector’s Note:
This 1953 commemorative is favored for its detailed engraving and depiction of a pivotal U.S. historical event. Never hinged examples with full gum and rich red-violet color remain desirable, though rough perforations are typical of the rotary press production used for this series.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Color is deep and uniform, impression crisp, and paper fresh. The gum retains full sheen and natural tone with only a light bend. No fading, soiling, or discoloration is visible. These minor characteristics do not affect the visual balance.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: ±0

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 79 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –20 (Minor Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 59
Eye Appeal Adjustment: ±0
Final Grade: 59 (Very Good/Fine)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 1020
Condition: Unused, Never Hinged, Original Gum
Centering: 79 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Minor Fault (short/ragged perfs, gum bend) –20
Perforations: 11x10½, full though uneven
Cancellation: None (unused)
Eye Appeal: ±0, strong color and clean gum
Final Grade: 59 (Very Good/Fine)

Summary:
This unused, never hinged Louisiana Purchase Sesquicentennial 3¢ commemorative shows Fine/Very Fine centering, slightly low and left. Short perforations and a faint gum bend yield a Minor Fault classification, resulting in a 20-point deduction. The color is strong, the paper fresh, and the gum original. Under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, it earns a final grade of 59 (Very Good/Fine)—a sound, collectible example of this historically significant 1953 issue.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (896)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions