U. S. Scott #216 - Used - Graded Fair

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

216

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

VG & Below

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1888

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation - Scott #216 (Used, Hinged, No Gum)

Design Overview:
Scott #216, the 1888 5-cent James A. Garfield Issue, was printed by the American Bank Note Company and features an engraved portrait of President James A. Garfield within an ornate oval frame. The stamp was printed in indigo blue and has perforations gauged at 12, a standard format for the late 19th-century Banknote issues.

This particular example has a deep thin and a small (1mm) tear, which classify it under Severe Fault Soundness. The centering is Very Good (50), meaning the perforations touch or slightly cut into the frameline of the design. Additionally, the stamp has been hinged and has no gum, which is expected for a used stamp and does not impact grading.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 50 (Very Good - VG)
✔️ The stamp is noticeably off-center, with the perforations either touching or slightly cutting into the frameline.
✔️ Minimum margin ranges from about 0.1mm to -0.1mm, meaning some portions of the design are near or slightly cut by the perfs.
✔️ Meets the PSE grading standard for Very Good centering (50).

Soundness: Severe Fault (-35 deduction)
? Deep thin—classified as a Severe Fault under PSE grading.
? Small tear (1mm)—classified as a Fault under PSE guidelines.
? Hinging—this stamp has been previously hinged and has no gum, a typical condition for used stamps and not factored into grading.
? According to PSE standards, a Severe Fault combined with a Fault results in a -35 point deduction.

Perforations & Margins:
✔️ Perforation Gauge: 12, consistent with the issue specifications.
❌ Faulty perfs—some areas where perforations cut into the design.
❌ Uneven margins, contributing to centering downgrade.

Cancellation Classification:
Type: Moderate black cancellation, covering a portion of Garfield’s portrait.
Density: The cancel is noticeable but does not obscure major design details.
Impact: The moderate cancel does not significantly detract from the design, so no eye appeal deduction is necessary.
Classification: Moderate Cancel, which does not require an eye appeal deduction.

Eye Appeal Adjustment: (No deduction applied)
? Color & Impression: The indigo blue remains strong, and the print quality is well-preserved.
? Paper Condition: The deep thin and small tear are significant faults, but the overall face appearance is still intact.
? Cancellation Impact: The moderate cancel does not obscure important design details.
? Final Eye Appeal Adjustment: No additional deduction applied.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Very Good Centering) 50
Soundness Deduction (Severe Fault: Deep thin, Small tear) -35
Eye Appeal Adjustment 0
Final Numerical Grade 15 (Fair, FR)

Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 216
Condition Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering 50 (Very Good - VG)
Soundness Severe Fault (Deep thin, Small tear, hinge remnant)
Perforations Faulty, with some perforations cutting into design
Cancellation Moderate Cancel (No Eye Appeal Deduction Applied)
Eye Appeal No deduction applied
Final Grade 15 (Fair, FR)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #216 stamp has Very Good (50) centering but is severely impacted by major faults, including a deep thin and a small tear. Despite these flaws, the moderate cancel preserves much of the design, avoiding additional eye appeal deductions.

Final Grade: 15 (Fair, FR). This places it in poor condition, making it a placeholder copy rather than a high-quality collectible.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (552)

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