U. S. Scott #517 - Used - Graded Good (LA01-0022-04-02)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

517

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1917

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation - Scott #517 (Used, Never Hinged, No Gum - Single Stamp)

Design Overview
Scott #517 is a 50-cent violet Washington-Franklin issue from the 1917-1919 perf 11 series, printed on unwatermarked paper. The design features an engraved left-facing portrait of Benjamin Franklin, enclosed within a laurel wreath. The inscription "U.S. POSTAGE" appears at the top, and the denomination "50 CENTS" is displayed at the bottom.

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

Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Fine/Very Fine (76)
✔ The stamp exhibits Fine/Very Fine (76) centering, meaning that the perforation holes are clearly visible beyond the design but one or two margins are narrow.
✔ The left and bottom margins are slightly tighter than the right and top.
✔ The stamp meets the Fine/Very Fine standard as defined by PSE.

Soundness Evaluation
✔ This stamp exhibits the following faults:
✔ Fault: Several perf tip creases - Affects structural integrity but does not severely impact visual appeal.
✔ Minor Fault: Light Cancellation Bleed-Through - The cancellation has faintly transferred to the back, though not excessively.

Adjusted Soundness Grade: Fault (-30 points).
✔ Final Grade Before Eye Appeal Adjustment: 46 (Good/Very Good - G/VG).

Perforations & Margins
✔ This is a fully perforated stamp with standard 11-gauge perforations.
✔ Several perf tip creases reduce the overall integrity but do not cause major structural damage.

Eye Appeal Evaluation
✔ Color & Impression: The violet color remains strong, with no evidence of fading.
✔ Cancellation: The stamp has a heavy cancel, covering a significant portion of the portrait and left side of the design.
✔ Overall Presentation: Due to the cancellation's density and bleed-through, an eye appeal deduction of -10 points is applied.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Fine/Very Fine Centering) 76
Soundness Deduction (Fault: Perf Tip Creases, Bleed-Through) -30
Eye Appeal Deduction (Heavy Cancel) -10
Final Numerical Grade 36 (Good - G)

Final Summary
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 517
Condition Used, Never Hinged, No Gum
Centering 76 (Fine/Very Fine - F/VF)
Soundness Fault (-30: Perf Tip Creases, Bleed-Through)
Perforations Perf 11, Several Perf Tip Creases
Eye Appeal -10 Deduction (Heavy Cancellation)
Final Grade 36 (Good - G)

? Final Verdict:
This used, never hinged Scott #517 stamp with no gum receives a Good (36) final grade, reflecting several perf tip creases and a heavy cancellation with bleed-through. The centering is Fine/Very Fine (76), but the soundness faults and cancellation impact the final score significantly.

It remains a collectible space filler, but the heavy cancel and perforation issues prevent it from achieving a higher grade.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (722)

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

Public Questions