U. S. Scott #286 - Used - Graded Good

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

286

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

Fine

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1898

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #286 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
2¢ Copper Red – Farming in the West, 1898
(Trans-Mississippi Exposition Issue – Agricultural Scene with Horse-Drawn Plows)

?️ Design Overview:
Scott #286, part of the iconic 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition series, features a detailed depiction of Farming in the West. The engraving illustrates a team of horses pulling a plow across open fields, symbolizing American agricultural expansion. In the background, farmers work alongside carts and wagons, emphasizing labor and productivity. Printed in copper red, the stamp showcases the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s artistry during the turn of the century. This example is canceled, used, and has been previously hinged, with no remaining gum.

? Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 71 (Fine – F)
The design is slightly off-center to the left and bottom.
Perforations on these sides come close to the design but do not touch it.
All four margins are present, with the left and bottom clearly narrower than the right and top.
This qualifies as Fine under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, which requires visible white space between design and perfs, albeit minimal.

? Soundness Evaluation:
Fault Type Description Category
Minor Fault Five shorter perforations (about half normal) Minor Fault
Very Minor Fault One perf tip crease (bottom right corner) Very Minor Fault
Under the 2009 PSE grading matrix, a Minor Fault and a Very Minor Fault together result in a deduction consistent with the Minor Fault category (–25 points).

✂️ Perforations & Margins:
Perforations are intact, though five are visibly shortened, primarily along the left and bottom edges.
The perforation holes are not clipped or reperforated but show compression or blunting.
Margins Are Uneven: the left and bottom are narrow, while the right and top are more generous.

?️ Cancellation Classification:
Type: Heavy Cancel
A bold black cancellation covers much of the left-central design.
While it obscures parts of the background and plowman, key design elements remain identifiable, including the foreground horse and wagon.
This qualifies as a Heavy Cancel under PSE eye appeal adjustment standards.

?️ Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Factor Evaluation Adjustment
Cancellation Heavy – dark, over central vignette –10
Color & Freshness Strong color, good paper tone +0
Paper Condition No toning or discoloration +0
Total Adjustment –10

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Value
Base Grade (Fine Centering) 71
Soundness Deduction (Minor + Very Minor Faults) –25
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Heavy Cancel) –10
Final Numerical Grade 36
Final Adjectival Grade: Good (G)
Per the 2009 PSE grading scale, a score between 30–39 corresponds to Good (G).

? Final Summary:
Category Description
Scott Number 286
Condition Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering 71 (Fine – F)
Soundness Minor Fault (5 short perfs), Very Minor Fault (perf tip crease)
Perforations Intact but uneven; five shorter perforations
Cancellation Heavy black cancel (obscures part of central design)
Eye Appeal –10 points (Heavy cancel impact)
Final Grade 36 (Good – G)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #286 example presents Fine centering and rich color but is affected by a combination of short perforations and a perf tip crease. The heavy cancellation further diminishes eye appeal, though some detail remains visible. Factoring all criteria, the final grade is 36 (Good) according to the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (617)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

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Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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