U. S. Scott #158 - Used - Graded Good (SL01-0001-05-04)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

158

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 #158 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
3¢ Green – George Washington, 1873
(U.S. Bank Note Issue – Continental Bank Note Co., Engraved, Perf 12)

Design Overview:
Scott #158 depicts a left-facing portrait of George Washington within an oval frame, with “U.S. POSTAGE” above and the denomination “THREE 3 CENTS” in a ribbon below. This example is postally used, previously hinged, and has no original gum.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 75 (Fine/Very Fine)
The perforations are clearly free of the design on all sides. The right margin is the most narrow and the left is the least narrow due to a natural straight edge showing a printed guideline. The bottom margin is narrower than the top, which is consistent with Fine/Very Fine centering under the 2009 PSE guidelines.

Soundness Evaluation:
Extremely Minor Fault is present as two fuzzy or ragged perforation tips. Very Minor Faults include a perf tip crease and a prominent guideline along the straight edge. A Natural Straight Edge at left is present and treated as a Fault for soundness. In combination, these conditions classify the stamp’s soundness as Fault.

Perforations and Margins:
Perf 12 on three sides with a natural straight edge at left. Two tips show slight raggedness and one tip is lightly creased. No evidence of trimming or reperforation. Side-to-side balance favors the left; the bottom margin is tighter than the top.

Cancellation Evaluation:
The cancel is a diffuse black smudge that spans the vignette and dulls the portrait. Coverage is broad and dark enough to materially reduce design clarity; under the 2009 PSE eye-appeal scale this qualifies as a Heavy Cancel. Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points. Collector Desirability Note: This is an ordinary smudged killer with no legible town or date; it adds no postal-history premium compared with fancy, straightline, or colored cancels.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 75 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –30 (Fault) → Adjusted Base Grade: 45 (Good/Very Good)
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 (Heavy Cancel)
Final Grade: 35 (Good – G)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 158
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 75 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Fault (natural straight edge with guideline; perf tip crease; two ragged tips)
Perforations: Perf 12 on three sides; straight edge at left; no evidence of reperforation
Cancellation: Heavy black smudged killer; no town/date; –10 adjustment
Eye Appeal: –10 due to heavy cancel coverage
Final Grade: 35 (Good – G)

Final Verdict:
Strong Fine/Very Fine centering is offset by a straight edge with guideline and minor perf issues, placing soundness at Fault. The heavy smudged cancel further reduces eye appeal, yielding a correct final grade of 35 (Good) under the 2009 PSE system.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (758)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions