U. S. Scott #303 - Used - Graded Good

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

303

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1903

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #303 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
4¢ Brown – Ulysses S. Grant, 1903
(Second Bureau Issue – Engraved, Flat Plate Printing, Perf 12)

?️ Design Overview:
Scott #303, issued in 1903, is part of the Second Bureau Issue and features a finely engraved portrait of Ulysses S. Grant, Union General and 18th President of the United States. The design includes the denomination "4 CENTS" flanking the portrait with ornate scrollwork and eagles above the frame. It was primarily used for first-class double-weight mail or international rates. This particular specimen is postally used and has been previously hinged, with no original gum remaining.

? Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Margins are mostly clear of the design with modest balance; the left and top margins are slightly narrower than the right and bottom.
All four sides show visible white space, and the framelines are well clear of the perforations under unaided visual inspection, matching the PSE description for Fine/Very Fine.

? Soundness Evaluation:
Multiple faults are visible on the back side of the stamp:
Fault Type Description Classification
Fault Small thin (center of stamp) Fault
Minor Fault Partial gum remaining (as a used, no gum stamp) Minor Fault
Very Minor Fault One short-to-very short perf (left side) Very Minor Fault
Extremely Minor Fault One shorter perf, about half normal length (top) Extremely Minor Fault
Extremely Minor Fault Pencil mark (“#303”) on reverse Extremely Minor Fault
Soundness Classification: Fault
Per the 2009 PSE grading matrix, multiple faults including a thin, minor gum issues, and short perfs warrant a Fault rating.
Soundness Deduction: –45 points

✂️ Perforations & Margins:
Gauge: 12 perforations on all four sides, consistent with the flat-plate issues of the time.
Condition: Two shorter perforations (top and left sides); all others are intact. No signs of reperforation or edge trimming.
Margins: The image is centered slightly right and down, leaving top and left margins slightly narrow. Framelines are comfortably clear of perforation holes.

? Cancellation Classification:
The stamp bears a circular black handstamp cancellation crossing diagonally from top left to bottom right.
The cancel is bold but not obscuring, allowing the face of Grant and surrounding details to remain visible.
According to PSE guidelines, this qualifies as a Neat / Clean cancel.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: No adjustment (Neat / Clean)

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation:
Factor Observation Adjustment
Cancellation Black CDS, non-obstructive 0
Color and Freshness Retains strong brown ink and clear design 0
Total Eye Appeal Adjustment: 0 points

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Component Value
Centering Grade 77
Soundness Deduction –45
Adjusted Base Grade 32 (Good)
Eye Appeal Adjustment 0
Final Grade 32 (Good – GD)

? Final Summary:
Scott Number: 303
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Fault (thin, partial gum, short perfs, pencil writing)
Perforations: Perf 12, with two noticeably shorter perfs
Cancellation: Neat, unobtrusive circular black cancel
Eye Appeal: No bonus or deduction warranted
Final Grade: 32 (Good – GD)

? Final Verdict:
This used example of Scott #303 exhibits Fine/Very Fine centering but is significantly impacted by multiple faults, including a thin and short perforations. The pencil notation "#303" and residual gum further reduce its soundness. Despite an attractive and unobtrusive cancel, the final PSE numerical grade is 32 (Good).

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (644)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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