U. S. Scott #342 - Used - Graded G/VG (LA01-0016-02-06)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

342

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 #342 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
$1 Black – George Washington, 1909
(Washington‑Franklin Issue – Engraved, Perf 12, Double‑line Watermark)

Design Overview:
Scott #342 portrays a left‑facing bust of George Washington within an oval laurel‑wreath frame. “U.S. POSTAGE” appears in the top tablet, and the bold lower tablet reads “1 DOLLAR 1.” Printed in black by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on double‑line watermarked paper and perforated 12, this high‑value definitive commonly served heavier and international rates.

The submitted example is postally used, previously hinged, and without original gum. Color is strong; centering is better than average but unbalanced.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 78 (Fine/Very Fine)
Perforations are clearly outside the design on all four sides. The right margin is the narrowest, the bottom is the most generous, and the left is narrower than the top, yielding a noticeable shift toward the right and slightly upward — consistent with Fine/Very Fine centering for Washington‑Franklins.

Soundness Evaluation:
Fault category: Fault. Three very short or nibbed perforations are present (Minor Fault). There is heavy cancellation ink bleed‑through visible on the back (Minor Fault). A hinge remnant is also present (Very Minor Fault). In combination, these meet the PSE definition of “two or three minor faults or a mix of minor and very minor faults,” placing the stamp in the Fault soundness tier.

Perforations and Margins:
Gauge 12 and genuine, with three nibbed/very short tips noted; no evidence of reperforation. Margins align with the centering description: tightest at right, most generous at bottom, with the left narrower than the top.

Cancellation Evaluation:
A dark, heavy circular/killer cancel crosses the portrait and lower tablet, with additional strike at the bottom left. It is strong but not obliterating. Classification: Heavy cancel.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
The heavy cancel reduces facial clarity and lower‑tablet legibility. After combining centering and soundness, a –5 eye‑appeal adjustment is applied for the heavy cancel on a used stamp.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 78 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –30 (Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 48 (Good/Very Good)
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5 (heavy cancel)
Final Grade: 43 (Good/Very Good – G/VG)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 342
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: Fine/Very Fine (78), right margin narrowest, bottom widest; left narrower than top
Soundness: Fault — three very short/nibbed perfs; heavy cancellation bleed‑through; hinge remnant
Perforations: Perf 12 genuine; three nibbed tips noted
Cancellation: Heavy CDS/killer across portrait and lower tablet; –5 eye‑appeal adjustment
Eye Appeal: Strong color, but impacted by heavy cancel
Final Grade: 43 (Good/Very Good – G‑VG)

Final Verdict:
A solid, genuinely used $1 Washington with Fine/Very Fine centering. Faults (nibbed perfs, ink bleed‑through, hinge remnant) and a heavy cancel pull the grade to G‑VG 43 under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (818)

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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