U. S. Scott #397 - Used - Graded G/VG (NA01-0061-01-01)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

397

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1913

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation - Scott #397 (Used, No Gum, Never Hinged Before Use)

Design Overview:
Scott #397 is a 1-cent green stamp issued in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition held in San Francisco. The stamp features an engraved portrait of Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the Spanish explorer who first saw the Pacific Ocean from the Americas. The design includes ornate detailing and palm trees, emphasizing the tropical setting of Balboa’s explorations. The inscription "U.S. POSTAGE - SAN FRANCISCO - 1915" appears at the top, with "BALBOA - 1513" inscribed below the portrait.

This example is used, has no gum, and was never hinged before use.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 76 (Fine/Very Fine - F/VF)
✔ The stamp is well-centered, with perforations clear of the design.
✔ One or two margins are somewhat narrow, but the frame lines remain intact, qualifying for Fine/Very Fine (F/VF) centering.
✔ Meets the 0.4mm minimum margin requirement for rectangular frame-line issues.

Soundness Evaluation:
✔ Fault: Small Stain
✔ The stamp has a visible stain, which is classified as a fault per PSE grading standards.
✔ A deduction of -30 points is applied for this fault.

Perforations & Margins:
✔ Perforations are intact, with no missing or significantly clipped perfs.
✔ Margins are slightly uneven, but still meet Fine/Very Fine centering standards.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
✔ The stamp retains strong color and an overall good impression.
✔ However, the stain affects the stamp’s visual appeal, requiring an additional deduction of -5 points.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Fine/Very Fine Centering) 76
Soundness Deduction (Fault - Small Stain) -30
Eye Appeal Deduction (Stain Reduces Aesthetic Appeal) -5
Final Numerical Grade 41 (Good-Very Good - G/VG)

Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 397
Condition Used, No Gum, Never Hinged Before Use
Centering 76 (Fine/Very Fine - F/VF)
Soundness Fault (Small Stain -30 points)
Perforations Intact, slightly uneven margins
Eye Appeal Stain reduces visual quality (-5 points)
Final Grade 41 (Good-Very Good - G/VG)

? Final Verdict:
This used Scott #397 has Fine/Very Fine (76) centering, but the stain (-30 points) and reduced eye appeal (-5 points) bring the final grade down to 41 (Good-Very Good - G/VG).

While the stamp remains structurally sound, the stain significantly lowers its overall desirability and collector value.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (721)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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