U. S. Scott #147 - Used - Graded G/VG (NA01-0023-04-01)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

147

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1870

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #147 (Used, No Gum – Single Stamp)
3¢ Green – Washington, 1870 Banknote Issue (National Bank Note Company)
(Second Issue – Unwatermarked, Hard White Wove Paper)

Design Overview:
Scott #147, issued in the 1870s, features a left-facing portrait of George Washington inside an engraved black oval frame with “U.S. POSTAGE” above and “THREE CENTS” below in a ribbon-style banner. Printed in green ink by the National Bank Note Company, it is part of the early Large Banknote Series used widely in the post-Civil War period.

This example is used, has been hinged, and is without gum, as expected for its era. It retains solid color and good balance, though it is affected by a light crease and a black segmented bar cancellation across the portrait and denomination.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 76 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
The stamp is slightly off-center toward the top left, with narrower margins at the top and left sides. However, all perforations are clear of the design and balanced enough to qualify as Fine/Very Fine centering under PSE guidelines.

Soundness: Minor Fault (–20 deduction)
? Minor Fault: Light diagonal crease, visible on the back under proper lighting
This warrants a –20 deduction, consistent with PSE treatment for a single minor fault.

Perforations & Margins:
Fully perforated on all four sides, with well-formed teeth
No signs of short, fuzzy, or pulled perforations
All margins maintain visible white space around the design

Cancellation Classification:
Type: Black segmented bar cancel
Location: Across the left and center of Washington’s face and over the "THREE CENTS" banner
Impact: The cancel obscures facial features and the denomination, affecting eye appeal
? Classification: Heavy Cancel
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Factor Description Adjustment
Color & Impression Strong green hue and sharp impression +2
Paper Condition Crease visible only on back; no discoloration 0
Cancellation Impact Heavy cancel obscures face and value inscription –10
Net Eye Appeal Adjustment –8

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (F/VF Centering + Minor Fault) 56
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Heavy Cancel) –8
Final Numerical Grade 48 (Good–Very Good – GD–VG)

Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 147
Condition Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering 76 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
Soundness Minor Fault – Light Crease
Perforations Intact and well-formed
Cancellation Heavy segmented bar cancel (–10 Eye Appeal)
Eye Appeal –8 (cancellation affects facial and textual clarity)
Final Grade 48 (Good–Very Good – GD–VG)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #147 shows Fine/Very Fine centering, good color, and intact perforations. It is affected by a light crease and a heavy black cancel across Washington's face and denomination. These combine for a Minor Fault deduction (–20) and a –8 eye appeal penalty, resulting in a final numerical grade of 48, placing the stamp in the Good–Very Good (GD–VG) category under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (839)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Store

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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