U. S. Scott #219 - Used - Graded G/VG

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

219

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1890

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #219 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
1¢ Ultramarine – Benjamin Franklin, 1890
(U.S. Regular Issue – American Bank Note Co., Soft Paper)

?️ Design Overview:
Scott #219 features a left-facing profile of Benjamin Franklin surrounded by an ornate oval frame, with denomination markers in each lower corner and the denomination “ONE CENT” inscribed at the bottom. Issued in 1890, this stamp is from the final American Bank Note Company series before printing duties passed to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

This example is used, with no gum and has been previously hinged. A light, partial cancel appears near the bottom center.

? Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 79 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
The stamp has slightly narrow margins left and bottom, but remains well clear of the design on all four sides.
Visually, it maintains decent balance and easily qualifies as Fine/Very Fine under PSE guidelines, which require a minimum 0.4mm margin on framed designs.

? Soundness Evaluation:
The stamp exhibits a combination of faults:
Fault Level Description
Fault Several perf tip creases, visible across the top and lower-right sides
Minor Fault Discoloration on front, appears as yellowish spotting
Extremely Minor Fault One shorter perf, approximately half normal length (top right)
✅ Soundness Classification: Fault
Per the 2009 PSE Soundness Table, a combination of several minor and very minor faults (including discoloration and multiple creased perfs) meets the criteria for "Fault", warranting a deduction that places the grade in the Good/Very Good (40–49) range.

✂️ Perforations & Margins:
All perforations are present, though a few show signs of bluntness or creasing.
One noticeably shorter perf is present near the top right.
Perforations remain generally intact and conform to the expected spacing and gauge.

? Cancellation Classification:
A partial black cancellation mark appears at the bottom center of the stamp.
The cancel is light and does not interfere with the portrait or design clarity.
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: +2 points
The cancel is light and well-placed, enhancing eye appeal without affecting legibility.
Per the PSE Eye Appeal chart, this qualifies for a +2 bonus.

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation:
Eye Appeal Factor Description Adjustment
Color & Impression Slight discoloration present (Minor Fault already accounted for) 0
Cancellation Light and face-free cancel +2
+2 pts

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Component Value
Centering Grade 79 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction –32 (Fault + Minor + Extremely Minor Faults)
Base Grade 47
Eye Appeal Adjustment +2 (Light cancel bonus)
Final Numerical Grade 49
Adjectival Grade Good–Very Good (G–VG)

? Final Summary:
Attribute Evaluation
Scott Number 219
Condition Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering 79 – Fine/Very Fine
Soundness Fault: Several perf tip creases; Minor Fault: discoloration; EMF: short perf
Perforations Intact but flawed (short and creased tips)
Cancellation Light, well-placed (bonus +2)
Eye Appeal Mostly clear design, marred only slightly by discoloration
Final Grade 49 (Good–Very Good – G–VG)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #219 stamp possesses Fine/Very Fine centering and shows strong design elements, but is notably impacted by several condition flaws: multiple perf tip creases, a minor discoloration, and a short perf. A light cancel improves the eye appeal modestly. These issues collectively result in a final grade of 49 (Good–Very Good – G–VG).

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (579)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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