U. S. Scott #179 - Used - Graded FR/G (NA01-0025-05-02)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

179

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1875

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation Report: Scott #179 (Used, Hinged, No Gum) - Heavy Cancellation

1. Design Overview
Scott #179 is a 5-cent blue stamp from the 1875 Continental Bank Note issue, featuring a portrait of Zachary Taylor. The design is enclosed within an ornate frame, with "U.S. POSTAGE" inscribed at the top and "FIVE 5 CENTS" at the bottom. This issue was printed on soft porous paper, characteristic of the later Bank Note Company printings.

2. Grading Breakdown
A. Soundness Assessment
Condition: The stamp is used, hinged, and has no gum.
Faults:
Major Fault: Several faulty, clipped, pulled, or short perforations.
Impact on Grade:
Major Fault results in a -45 deduction, per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

B. Centering Evaluation
Centering Grade: Fine/Very Fine (75)
Justification:
The perforation holes are easily seen to be clear of the design, but one or two margins are narrow.
The stamp maintains a minimum margin of approximately 0.4mm, ensuring it meets the Fine/Very Fine category.
This placement aligns with the Fine/Very Fine category, based on PSE centering guidelines.

C. Perforations & Margins
Perforation Condition:
The stamp exhibits multiple short, clipped, and pulled perforations.
Impact on Grade:
Major Fault classification applies (-45 deduction).

D. Cancellation Classification
Type: Heavy cancellation, obscuring much of Taylor’s portrait.
Impact on Grade:
The cancellation significantly reduces the clarity of the design.
Heavy cancellation warrants an additional eye appeal deduction.

E. Eye Appeal Adjustment
Color: The blue shade appears slightly faded but still recognizable.
Impression: The engraving remains visible but heavily obscured by the cancel.
Cancellation Impact:
The cancellation is dark and covers a significant portion of the design.
Final Adjustment: -10 points for heavy cancellation.

3. Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Criteria Value
Centering Grade (Fine/Very Fine) 75
Soundness Deduction (Major Fault – Faulty Perfs) -45
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Heavy Cancellation Deduction) -10
Final Grade 20 (Fair/Good - F/G)

4. Final Summary
This Scott #179 (Used, Hinged, No Gum) stamp has Fine/Very Fine centering (75) but suffers from Major Fault soundness (-45 deduction) due to several faulty, clipped, pulled, or short perforations. The cancellation is heavy and dark, significantly obscuring the design, resulting in an eye appeal deduction of -10 points. After all adjustments, the final numerical grade is 20, placing it in the Fair/Good (F/G) category, consistent with PSE grading standards.

Final Grade: 20 (Fair/Good - F/G) – Used, Hinged, No Gum

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (1003)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions