U. S. Scott #157 - Used [LA01-0007-01-02]

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

157

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1873

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #157 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
2¢ Red Brown – Andrew Jackson, 1873
(Banknote Issue – Engraved Printing, Perf 12, No Grill)

Design Overview:
Scott #157 is a 2¢ red brown stamp issued in 1873 featuring a finely engraved portrait of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. This issue belongs to the Banknote series printed by the Continental Bank Note Company and is part of the "No Grill" regular issue stamps. The design features Jackson in profile, facing left, framed in an oval with ornamental scrollwork and “U.S. POSTAGE” across the top and denomination “TWO 2 CENTS” at the bottom.

This example is postally used, previously hinged, and has no original gum remaining. The overall presentation is complete and clearly recognizable, although condition issues are evident upon closer inspection.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
The design is slightly off-center, with narrower margins on the left and bottom sides, but the frameline remains clear of the perforations on all edges.
Meets the PSE standard for Fine/Very Fine centering: visibly clear white space on all sides, though not evenly balanced.

Soundness Evaluation:
The following faults are observed:
Fault: Several ragged, fuzzy, or shorter perforations (including lower right corner)
Very Minor Fault: One shorter to short perf (less than half normal length)
Very Minor Fault: Light ink transfer visible on back
Very Minor Fault: Perf tip crease
Very Minor Fault: Corner perf crease
Per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, the combination of one moderate fault and multiple very minor faults qualifies the stamp for a Fault soundness designation.
Soundness Classification: Fault
Soundness Deduction: –30 points

Perforations & Margins:
Full perforations present on all sides, consistent with the issue’s expected perforation gauge (Perf 12).
Several perforations are ragged or fuzzy, notably in the lower and right edges.
No evidence of reperforation or trimming.
The top and right margins are slightly wider, though uneven.

Cancellation Classification:
The cancel is a large, light-to-moderate black circular killer that lightly obscures part of Jackson’s head and the left edge of the oval.
This qualifies as a Heavy cancel under the 2009 PSE Eye Appeal scale.
While not disfiguring, it detracts modestly from the visual clarity of the portrait.
Cancellation Classification: Heavy Cancel
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Component Value
Centering Grade 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction –30 (Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade 47
Eye Appeal Adjustment –10 (Heavy Cancel)
Final Grade 37 (Good – GD)

Final Summary:
Attribute Details
Scott Number 157
Condition Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Fault (ragged perfs, short perf, crease, ink transfer)
Perforations Perf 12, intact but uneven with multiple fuzzy tips
Cancellation Heavy, obscuring left side and central portrait
Eye Appeal Moderate deduction for cancellation (-10)
Final Grade 37 (Good – GD)

Final Verdict:
This used Scott #157 stamp presents with Fine/Very Fine centering and clear overall structure. However, the stamp's condition is impacted by multiple perforation-related faults and a moderately heavy cancellation. After soundness and eye appeal deductions, the stamp receives a final grade of 37 (Good – GD) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (853)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions