U. S. Scott #268 - Used - Graded G/VG

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

268

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1895

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation - Scott #268 (Used, NH, No Original Gum, Minor Faults)

Design Overview:
Scott #268 is a 3-cent purple stamp from the 1895 First Bureau Issue, printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It features a finely engraved portrait of Thomas Jefferson, enclosed within an ornate oval frame. The stamp was printed on hard paper and has perforations measuring gauge 12.

This particular example is used, never hinged (NH), and has no original gum (NG). The centering is graded Fine/Very Fine (79), meaning that the perforation holes are easily seen to be clear of the design, but one or two margins are noticeably narrow. However, the presence of three shorter to short perfs (less than half normal length) affects the overall soundness rating.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 79 (Fine/Very Fine - F/VF)
✔ The perforation holes are fully clear of the design, meeting the Fine/Very Fine standard.
✔ One or two margins are narrower than the others, but still provide adequate separation from the design.
✔ The stamp is well-balanced, though it does not meet the threshold for Extremely Fine.

Soundness: Minor Fault (Three Short Perfs) (-20 Deduction)
? The stamp exhibits three shorter to short perforations, each less than half the normal length.
? This is classified as a Minor Fault, warranting a -20 deduction.
? No major creases, tears, or thins observed beyond the noted perforation issues.

Perforations & Margins:
✔ Perforation Gauge: 12, which is correct for Scott #268.
✔ Margins: One or two sides are narrower than others, but do not touch the design.
✔ Perforations: Three shorter to short perfs, but otherwise intact.

Cancellation Classification: Heavy Cancel (-10 Eye Appeal Deduction)
? The stamp has a black circular target cancel, which heavily overlaps Jefferson's portrait.
? The cancel is bold and obscures key design elements, particularly on the face and upper frame.
? The level of ink coverage significantly affects the overall visibility of the portrait.
? Due to its intensity, a -10 deduction is applied to eye appeal.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Fine/Very Fine Centering) 79
Soundness Deduction (Minor Fault: Three Short Perfs) -20
Eye Appeal Deduction (Heavy Cancel) -10
Final Numerical Grade 49 (Good-Very Good - G/VG)

Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 268
Condition Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum (NH, NG)
Centering 79 (Fine/Very Fine - F/VF)
Soundness Minor Fault (-20 for Three Short Perfs)
Perforations Perforation gauge 12, three shorter to short perfs
Cancellation Heavy black circular cancel (-10 deduction)
Eye Appeal Strong color but cancellation obscures portrait
Final Grade 49 (Good-Very Good - G/VG)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #268 stamp exhibits Fine/Very Fine (79) centering, but three short perforations result in a 20-point deduction, and a heavy cancel causes an additional 10-point reduction, bringing the final numerical grade to 49 (Good-Very Good - G/VG). While the stamp retains its strong color, the faulty perforations and heavy cancel lower its overall appeal.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (574)

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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