U. S. Scott #415 - Used - Graded Good (LA01-0019-03-02)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

415

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1914

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #415 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
9¢ Salmon Red – Benjamin Franklin, 1912
(Washington-Franklin Series – Flat Plate Printing, Perf 12, Single-Line Watermark)

Design Overview:
Scott #415 is a 9¢ salmon red stamp issued in 1912 as part of the Washington-Franklin series. It depicts Benjamin Franklin in profile facing left, enclosed within an oval laurel wreath. “U.S. POSTAGE” appears above, while the denomination “9 CENTS” is printed in a ribbon below and flanked by numeral boxes. This issue was printed via flat plate on soft porous paper, is perforated 12, and contains a single-line watermark.

This example is used, bears no original gum, and has been previously hinged. Despite a crisp printed impression and strong color, several faults impact its technical grade.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 76 (Fine/Very Fine)
The stamp is visually well-balanced with clear white space between the design and the perforations. The bottom margin is the fullest, while the top and right margins are the narrowest. Still, all margins exceed the 0.4mm minimum and remain comfortably clear of the design. This earns a solid Fine/Very Fine centering grade under PSE standards.

Soundness Evaluation:
This stamp displays the following faults:
Major Fault: Several faulty, clipped, pulled, or short perforations (especially along top and right)
Very Minor Fault: Corner perf crease (lower left)
Very Minor Fault: Perf tip crease (upper right)
Very Minor Fault: Hinge remnant
This combination — one major fault and three very minor faults — constitutes a Major Fault classification under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.
Soundness Deduction: –45 points

Perforations and Margins:
Perforated 12 on all sides. The top and right edges show multiple short, uneven, or damaged perforation teeth, including some that appear pulled or clipped. The remaining edges are cleaner, but the overall condition of the perforations reflects significant wear.

Cancellation Classification: Neat/Clean Cancel
The cancel is a black circular date stamp that crosses diagonally through the lower-left quadrant of the stamp, partially touching the portrait and denomination. It remains light, clearly printed, and does not obscure Franklin’s face or major design elements.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: ±0

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 76 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –45 (Major Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 31
Eye Appeal Adjustment: ±0 (clean cancel)
Final Grade: 31 (Good – G)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 415
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering: 76 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Major Fault (faulty perfs, hinge remnant, perf creases)
Perforations: Perf 12; several short, pulled, or clipped
Cancellation: Neat/Clean, light and legible
Eye Appeal: No adjustment
Final Grade: 31 (Good – G)

Final Verdict:
This used, hinged Scott #415 features Fine/Very Fine centering and clean presentation despite a neat circular cancel. However, a combination of faulty perforations, perf creasing, and hinge residue reduce its technical quality, resulting in a final PSE numerical grade of 31 (Good) under the 2009 Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (714)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Store

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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