U. S. Scott #178 - Used - Graded Good (SL01-0001-07-03)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

178

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

Fine

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1875

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #178 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
2¢ Vermilion – Andrew Jackson, 1875
(Continental Bank Note Co. Printing – Grilled Soft Paper, Perf 12)

Design Overview:
Scott #178 is a 2-cent vermilion stamp from the 1875 Continental Bank Note Company issue, printed on soft paper with grill and perforated 12. It features a left-facing bust of President Andrew Jackson within a solid oval frame surrounded by intricate scrollwork. "U.S. POSTAGE" arches above the portrait, and "TWO 2 CENTS" anchors the bottom.

The submitted example is postally used, with light cancellation and some visible wear. It was hinged and has no original gum, which is consistent with typical collector handling of 19th-century used U.S. stamps.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine)
The design is close to the perforations on the left, though clear white space is still visible on all sides.
Top and right margins are slightly wider and more even.
Meets the Fine centering definition per the PSE guide.

Soundness Evaluation:
The stamp exhibits the following issues:
Corner perf crease (Very Minor Fault)
Natural unpunched perforation (Very Minor Fault)
Perf tip crease (Very Minor Fault)
One short to shorter perf (Very Minor Fault)
Hinge remnant (Very Minor Fault)
Pencil writing on back ("1/18") (Extremely Minor Fault)
This combination qualifies as a Fault (due to the presence of at least five very minor faults and an additional extremely minor one), aligning with the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.
Soundness Classification: Fault
Soundness Deduction: –40
Adjusted Base Grade: 30 (Good)

Perforations & Margins:
Perforated 12 on all sides
All perforations are present and genuine, with one shorter tooth at the lower right
One natural unpunched perf is visible at top center
Slight irregularity noted due to the tip crease and corner crease

Cancellation Classification:
The cancellation is a light double ring postmark, likely a town/date circular cancel with horizontal bars
The cancel is visible but does not obscure the portrait
Classified as Light Cancel, which contributes positive eye appeal
Eye Appeal Adjustment: +5
Cancellation Classification: Light

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Component Score
Centering Grade 70 (Fine)
Soundness Deduction –40 (Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade 30 (Good)
Eye Appeal Adjustment +5 (Light Cancel)
Final Grade 35 (Good)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 178
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering: 70 (Fine)
Soundness: Fault (multiple very minor and extremely minor faults)
Perforations: Perf 12, one short tooth, one unpunched
Cancellation: Light town/date circular cancel
Eye Appeal Adjustment: +5
Final Grade: 35 (Good)

Final Verdict:
This used example of Scott #178 shows Fine centering and light, unobtrusive cancellation, but the accumulation of five very minor faults and one additional extremely minor fault brings the soundness classification down to Fault. After applying the PSE guidelines and the appropriate +5 eye appeal bonus, the final numerical grade is 35, placing it in the Good category.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (756)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

• Bids
• Sales

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions