U. S. Scott #254 - Used - Graded Good

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

254

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1894

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #254 (Used, Hinged, No Gum – Single Stamp)
4¢ Dark Brown – Abraham Lincoln, 1894
(First Bureau Issue – Printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing)

?️ Design Overview:
Scott #254 features a rich engraved portrait of President Abraham Lincoln within an ornate frame in dark brown. As part of the 1894 First Bureau Issue—the first definitive series entirely printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing—this issue helped standardize U.S. postage design and production. The stamp's bold typeface and ornamental detailing reflect late 19th-century engraving artistry.

This used example has a face-obscuring black cancel and visible wear on the reverse, including creasing.

? Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
Design is fully clear of the perforations on all sides.
Top and right margins are slightly narrow but visibly outside the framelines.
Overall balanced appearance with no sides impinging upon the design.
Fits PSE criteria for Fine/Very Fine.

? Soundness Evaluation:
Observed Faults Include:
Fault Description Classification
Minor Fault Light vertical crease visible on reverse Minor
Minor Fault Small corner crease (bottom left) Minor
Very Minor Fault Hinge remnant Very Minor
Combined Soundness Classification: Fault
Per PSE guidelines, two minor faults and one very minor fault collectively classify this stamp as having Fault soundness.
Deduction for Fault Soundness: –30 points
Base Grade (Centering 77 – 30 for Soundness): 47 (Good/Very Good – GD/VG)

✂️ Perforations & Margins:
Perforations are intact and relatively even.
No pulled, short, or clipped perfs are evident.
Margins slightly narrow at top and right, consistent with the 77 centering grade.

? Cancellation Classification:
Black cancel crosses Lincoln’s forehead and lower face in two arcs.
Design remains mostly visible but noticeably affected.
The cancel is moderately heavy and detracts from facial detail.
Classification: Heavy Cancel
Deduction: –10 points

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation:
Factor Observation Adjustment
Color & Impression Deep brown color and sharp impression preserved +0
Paper Appearance Light creases visible on reverse only ±0
Cancellation Heavy, though not obliterating –10
? Total Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Value
Base Grade (F/VF Centering + Fault Soundness) 47
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Heavy Cancel) –10
Final Numerical Grade 37

? Final Summary:
Attribute Details
Scott Number 254
Condition Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering 77 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
Soundness Fault (Light crease, small corner crease, hinge remnant)
Perforations Intact and even
Cancellation Heavy Black Cancel (–10)
Eye Appeal –10 (due to cancellation impact)
Final Grade 37 (Good – GD)

? Final Verdict:
This used Scott #254 exhibits solid centering and strong detail, but it suffers from multiple creases and a moderately heavy cancel across the portrait. While the faults are relatively minor individually, their combined impact classifies the stamp under Fault Soundness, resulting in a base grade of 47. After a –10 eye appeal deduction, the final grade is 37 (Good – GD).

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (895)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions