U. S. Scott #207 - Used - Graded FR/G

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

207

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1881

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation - Scott #207 (Used, Hinged, No Gum)

Design Overview
Scott #207, the 3-cent Washington stamp from the 1881 Banknote Issue, was printed by the American Bank Note Company in blue-green ink. The stamp features a finely engraved profile of George Washington, set within an oval frame with ornamental scrollwork at the bottom. This issue was perforated 12 and commonly used for standard domestic postage rates in the early 1880s.

This particular example exhibits a dark black cancellation, covering Washington’s face and part of the upper-right margin. Additionally, it has been previously hinged and has major perforation faults, significantly reducing its condition rating.

Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: 78 (Fine/Very Fine - F/VF)
✔ The perforations are clear of the design, but one or two margins are narrow.
✔ Left and bottom margins are slightly narrower than the right and top.
✔ Under PSE grading standards, this centering is classified as Fine/Very Fine (F/VF).

Soundness: Major Fault (-45 deduction)
? Several Faulty, Clipped, Pulled, or Short Perfs: The stamp exhibits multiple perforation defects, placing it under the Major Fault category per PSE grading guidelines.
? Hinged with Evidence of a Hinge Remnant: Presence of prior hinging further reduces the condition rating.
? Final Deduction for Soundness: -45 points, placing the stamp in the Good (30-34) range.

Perforations & Margins
✔ Perforation Gauge: 12, matching the issue.
❌ Several perfs are faulty, including clipped and pulled perforations.
❌ Margins are uneven, with left and bottom sides noticeably narrower than the right and top.

Cancellation Classification
? Heavy Black Cancel: The cancellation is dark and bold, covering a significant portion of Washington’s face.
? The ink is heavily applied, reducing the visibility of finer details.
? Under PSE grading guidelines, this is classified as a Heavy Cancel, requiring an eye appeal deduction.

Eye Appeal Adjustment: (-10 deduction)
? Color & Impression: The blue-green ink remains relatively strong, but perforation faults and cancellation impact visual clarity.
? Cancellation Impact: The heavy cancel significantly obscures key design elements, warranting a -10 point deduction for eye appeal.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Fine/Very Fine Centering) 78
Soundness Deduction (Major Fault) -45
Eye Appeal Deduction (Heavy Cancel) -10
Final Numerical Grade 23 (Fair-Good - FR-G)

Final Summary
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 207
Condition Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering 78 (Fine/Very Fine - F/VF)
Soundness Major Fault (Multiple faulty, clipped, or pulled perfs)
Perforations Gauge 12, multiple damaged perfs
Cancellation Heavy Black Cancel (-10 Eye Appeal Points)
Eye Appeal -10 deduction due to cancellation covering the design
Final Grade 23 (Fair-Good - FR-G)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #207 stamp has Fine/Very Fine centering, but multiple clipped and pulled perfs, a hinge remnant, and a heavy cancellation significantly impact its final grade. The stamp is graded 23 (Fair-Good - FR-G), making it a heavily worn space-filler with little collector value.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (636)

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