U. S. Scott #147 - Used [SL01-0001-01-01]

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 features a left-facing portrait of George Washington engraved within a solid oval frame. It was printed in green ink as part of the second U.S. Banknote Issue by the National Bank Note Company. The top banner reads “U.S. POSTAGE” and the bottom displays “THREE CENTS” in a curved ribbon.

This example is used, hinged, and no gum, as is typical for stamps of the era. It maintains strong color and integrity but is affected by heavy cancellation bleed-through.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine – F)
The stamp is off-center toward the bottom-left, but all design elements are clear of the perforations. Margins remain visible, and the spacing matches PSE's Fine centering definition.

Soundness: Minor Fault (–20 deduction)
? Minor Fault: Heavy cancellation bleed-through (visible as dark ink shadow on reverse)
The stamp has no tears, thins, or creases, but the visible bleed-through meets the threshold for a Minor Fault under the PSE system, meriting a –20 deduction from centering.

Perforations & Margins:
Perforations are complete and well-formed on all four sides
No short or pulled perfs are present
Margins on the bottom and left sides are slightly narrow but consistent with Fine centering

Cancellation Classification:
Type: Black segmented bar cancel
Location: Crosses through Washington’s face and "THREE CENTS" ribbon
Impact: Cancellation is heavy, obscuring key design features
? Classification: Heavy Cancel
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Factor Description Adjustment
Color & Impression Rich green color and strong engraving +2
Paper Condition Bleed-through visible on reverse –2
Cancellation Impact Heavy cancel obscures face and denomination –10
Net Eye Appeal Adjustment –10

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Fine Centering + Minor Fault) 50
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Heavy Cancel) –10
Final Numerical Grade 40 (Good–Very Good – GD–VG)

Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 147
Condition Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering 70 (Fine – F)
Soundness Minor Fault – Heavy cancellation bleed-through
Perforations Intact on all four sides
Cancellation Heavy segmented bar cancel across face and bottom
Eye Appeal –10 (from heavy cancel and slight reverse smudge)
Final Grade 40 (Good–Very Good – GD–VG)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #147 stamp demonstrates Fine centering, strong color, and clean perforations. However, heavy cancellation bleed-through and a bold front cancel both affect its visual presentation. These issues result in a Minor Fault deduction and a further eye appeal penalty, yielding a final grade of 40 (Good–Very Good – GD–VG) per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (936)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions