U. S. Scott #476 - Used - Graded FR/G (LA01-0019-04-02)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

476

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1916

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #476 (Used, No Gum – Single Stamp)
20¢ Ultramarine – Benjamin Franklin, 1917
(Washington-Franklin Series – Perf 10, Single-Line Watermark)

Design Overview:
Scott #476 is a 20¢ ultramarine issue released in 1917 as part of the Washington-Franklin series. The stamp features a finely engraved left-facing portrait of Benjamin Franklin, framed by laurel leaves with “U.S. POSTAGE” inscribed above, and the denomination “20 CENTS 20” below. This issue was produced by flat plate printing, single-line watermarked, and perforated 10.

This example is postally used with a bold black circular machine cancel extending diagonally across Franklin’s face and into the surrounding frame.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
The design is clear of the perforations on all sides, though the margins are uneven. The right margin is the narrowest, the bottom is tighter than the left, while the top is the widest. Under PSE grading criteria, these proportions qualify as Fine/Very Fine centering.

Soundness Evaluation:
Two Faults Are Present:
Major Fault: Cut corner, affecting the top left margin.
Minor Fault: Heavy cancellation bleed-through on the reverse.
According to the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, the presence of a cut corner places the stamp in the Major Fault category.
Soundness Classification: Major Fault
Soundness Deduction: –45 points

Perforations and Margins:
The stamp is perforated 10 on all sides, with intact perforations except for the cut at the top left corner, which impacts only the margin. The right margin is the narrowest, the left is moderate, the bottom is slightly narrow, and the top is the most generous.

Cancellation Classification:
The stamp bears a bold black circular machine cancel, heavily applied across Franklin’s face and upper frame. While the design remains discernible, the cancel obscures important details of the portrait. Under the 2009 PSE guidelines, this qualifies as a Heavy cancel.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –45 (Major Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 32
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 (Heavy Cancel)
Final Grade: 22 (Fair/Good – FR/G)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 476
Condition: Used, No Gum
Centering: Fine/Very Fine (77)
Soundness: Major Fault (cut corner), Minor Fault (cancel bleed-through)
Perforations: Perf 10, full, with one cut corner affecting only the margin
Cancellation: Heavy black circular machine cancel across Franklin’s portrait
Eye Appeal: –10 deduction for Heavy cancel
Final Grade: 22 (Fair/Good – FR/G)

Final Verdict:
This used example of Scott #476 presents Fine/Very Fine centering and retains intact perforations, but is significantly compromised by a cut corner, cancellation bleed-through, and a heavy cancel obscuring Franklin’s portrait. The combination of Major Fault soundness with a Heavy cancel yields a final grade of 22 (Fair/Good – FR/G) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (781)

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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