U. S. Scott #159 - Used - Graded Fair (NA01-0025-02-02)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

159

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

Fine

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1873

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #159 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
6¢ Rose – George Washington, 1873
(U.S. Bank Note Issue – Continental Bank Note Co., Engraved, Perf 12)

Design Overview:
Scott #159 portrays George Washington in a left-facing profile within an ornate oval frame. “U.S. POSTAGE” appears above the portrait and the denomination “SIX 6 CENTS” is inscribed below. This example is postally used, previously hinged, and has no original gum.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine)
The design approaches the perforations on more than one side, yet a narrow band of white remains visible to the unaided eye, consistent with Fine centering under the 2009 PSE guide.

Soundness Evaluation:
Major Fault: Several faulty, clipped, pulled, or short perforations are present.
Minor Fault: Light crease.
Soundness Classification: Major Fault.
Soundness Deduction: –43 points.

Perforations and Margins:
Perforated 12 on all sides. Multiple tips are short, clipped, or pulled, producing uneven edge quality; the tightest spacing aligns with the worst tips. No evidence of trimming or reperforation.

Cancellation Evaluation:
A dark, heavy black cork killer cancel dominates the vignette and lower tablet, obscuring much of Washington’s portrait and reducing legibility. Under PSE eye-appeal standards this is a Heavy Cancel. Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points.
Collector Desirability Note: The strike is a common killer with no legible town or date, so it adds no postal-history premium compared with fancy, straightline, or colored cancels.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –43 (Major Fault) → Adjusted Base: 27
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 (Heavy Cancel)
Final Grade: 17 (Fair – FR)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 159
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 70 (Fine)
Soundness: Major Fault (multiple faulty/short perfs) plus light crease
Perforations: Perf 12; several clipped, pulled, or short tips
Cancellation: Heavy black cork killer; –10 adjustment
Eye Appeal: –10 due to obscuring cancel
Final Grade: 17 (Fair – FR)

Final Verdict:
Fine centering cannot overcome the Major Faults from numerous defective perforations, which cap the grade. The very heavy killer cancel further dulls the portrait and carries no postal-history premium.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (997)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions