U. S. Scott #220 - Used - Graded Good

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

220

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 #220 (Used, No Gum – Single Stamp)
2¢ Carmine – George Washington, 1890
(U.S. Regular Issue – First Bureau Issue, Type I)

?️ Design Overview:
The 2¢ Carmine stamp (Scott #220) features a classical portrait of George Washington encased in an oval frame with intricate line engravings. Issued as part of the 1890 First Bureau Issue, it was widely used for everyday domestic mail. The design is compact yet elegant, printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on flat plate presses and perforated 12.

? Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
The stamp is off-center on one or two sides but maintains full margins, clearly clear of the perforations.
Top and left margins are slightly narrow, but white space is visible all around the design.
This places it at the high end of the Fine/Very Fine range.

Soundness: Fault (Combination of Minor and Very Minor Faults – Deduct 30 Points)
Minor Fault: Moderate discoloration present across the back (clearly visible in the image).
Very Minor Fault: Three shorter perforations about half normal length.
Very Minor Fault: One shorter to short perforation (less than half normal length).
Per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, this combination of faults qualifies as a Fault due to multiple minor and very minor faults​.

✂️ Perforations & Margins:
Standard gauge 12 perforations are present on all sides.
Some perforation tips are shortened, but no perforation has been clipped or trimmed artificially.
Margins are even and adequate for the issue, reflecting the typical tight spacing of 1890s designs.

? Cancellation Classification:
Cancellation: Heavy Black Circular Grid Cancel – Deduct 10 Points
The cancellation is dark and centrally placed, obscuring a large portion of Washington’s portrait.
Per the PSE classification, this falls under Heavy Cancel, warranting a deduction due to diminished design visibility​.

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation:
Factor Evaluation Score
Color & Impression Average for issue 0
Paper Freshness Slight discoloration on back 0
Cancellation Placement Heavy and central -10
Overall Appeal Noticeably impacted by cancel -10
? Final Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (F/VF Centering) 77
Soundness Deduction –30 (Fault: combo of minor + very minor faults)
Eye Appeal Adjustment –10 (Heavy cancel)
Final Numerical Grade 37 (Good – G)

? Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 220
Condition Used, No Gum, Hinged (not a fault)
Centering 77 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
Soundness Fault – Discoloration and short perfs
Perforations Shortened perfs (3 minor, 1 very minor)
Cancellation Heavy Circular Grid Cancel
Eye Appeal –10 points (heavy cancel impact)
Final Grade 37 (Good – G)

? Final Verdict:
This used Scott #220 exhibits well-balanced Fine/Very Fine centering, though it suffers from multiple issues: discoloration on the back and several shorter perforations, cumulatively qualifying as a Fault under the 2009 PSE grading guidelines. A heavy cancellation further reduces eye appeal. The final grade, after deductions, is 37 (Good – G).

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (579)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

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Store

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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