U. S. Scott #338 - Used - Graded Good (NA01-0049-02-05)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

338

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1909

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #338 (Used, No Gum – Single Stamp)
10¢ Yellow – George Washington, 1909
(U.S. Washington-Franklin Series – Perf 12, Single-Line Watermark)

Design Overview:
The 10¢ Yellow Washington stamp from the Washington-Franklin series features a side-facing portrait of George Washington inside a laurel-wreath oval. It was printed using flat-plate press techniques with a single-line watermark and perforated 12 gauge.

This issue was widely used on heavier domestic mail and international letters. The yellow shade can be particularly vulnerable to ink coverage and cancel bleed-through, which impacts visual presentation.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 76 (Fine/Very Fine)
The perforations are well clear of the design on all sides but exhibit slightly narrower margins on the top and right. These margins fall into the Fine/Very Fine category under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Soundness Evaluation:
The stamp shows a combination of faults, including heavy cancel bleed-through visible from the back, a light crease visible from the reverse, and a hinge remnant. This combination of two minor faults and one very minor fault qualifies as a Fault.
Soundness Classification: Fault
Soundness Deduction: –30 points

Perforations and Margins:
The perforations are intact but somewhat irregular at the upper corners. Margins are full but uneven, particularly at the top and right.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
The very heavy cancel significantly obscures Washington’s face and darkens the overall design. It is classified as a Heavy Cancel and warrants an eye appeal deduction.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 76 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –30 (Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 46
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 (Heavy Cancel)
Final Grade: 36 (Good – G)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 338
Condition: Used, No Gum
Centering: 76 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Fault (heavy cancel bleed-through, light crease, hinge remnant)
Perforations: Mostly intact but slightly irregular
Cancellation: Very heavy cancel obscuring portrait
Eye Appeal: –10 points due to cancel impact
Final Grade: 36 (Good – G)

Final Verdict:
This used example of Scott #338 shows Fine/Very Fine centering with full margins and a solid strike. However, a heavy cancel obscures much of the design, and multiple faults, including a light crease and cancellation bleed-through, significantly affect the stamp’s integrity. The result is a final numerical grade of 36 (Good – G) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, reflecting notable but not disqualifying condition issues.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (833)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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