U. S. Scott #551 - MNH - Graded VG

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

551

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Mint (NH)

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1925

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #551 (Unused, Never Hinged – Single Stamp)
½¢ Olive Brown – Nathan Hale, 1925
(U.S. Regular Issue – Fourth Bureau Issue, Flat Plate Printing, Perf 11)

?️ Design Overview:
Scott #551 is a ½¢ olive brown stamp issued in 1925 as part of the Fourth Bureau Issue. It features a sculptural portrait of Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War hero, in a formal and symmetrical design. This stamp was printed on unwatermarked paper by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing using flat plate methods and perforated 11 on all sides.

This example is unused, never hinged, and retains original gum. There are two very minor condition issues present on the reverse—a small gum skip and light ink transfer—resulting in a Minor Fault soundness classification.

? Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
The stamp is slightly off-center to the left and top.
Framelines remain comfortably clear of the perforations on all four sides.
This meets the PSE definition of Fine/Very Fine, where one or two margins may be narrow but do not approach the design.

Soundness: Minor Fault (-20 deduction)
? Very Minor Fault: Small gum skip on the reverse (lower right).
? Very Minor Fault: Light ink transfer from sheet offset, faint but present.
Per PSE criteria, the presence of two Very Minor Faults qualifies this as a Minor Fault.
➡️ Combined Base Grade (F/VF Centering + Minor Fault Soundness):
57 (Very Good – VG)2009_GradingGuide_092009

✂️ Perforations & Margins:
Gauge: Perf 11 on all four sides.
Perforations are intact, well-formed, and not ragged.
Margins are tight on top and left but full and balanced on right and bottom.

?️ Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Factor Description Adjustment
Color & Impression Rich olive brown tone with crisp detail +1
Visible Faults Gum skip and ink transfer not visible from front 0
Overall Appearance Clean and symmetrical visual presentation 0
? Final Eye Appeal Adjustment: +1 point

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (F/VF Centering + Minor Fault) 57
Eye Appeal Adjustment +1
Final Numerical Grade 58 (Very Good – VG)

? Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 551
Condition Unused, Never Hinged, Original Gum
Centering 77 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
Soundness Minor Fault (gum skip, ink transfer on back)
Perforations Perf 11 – clean, complete, and well-aligned
Cancellation None (unused stamp)
Eye Appeal +1 (excellent color, clean appearance)
Final Grade 58 (Very Good – VG)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #551 stamp exhibits solid Fine/Very Fine centering and retains its original gum in never hinged condition. The light ink transfer and minor gum skip do not detract from visual presentation but impact soundness. With excellent color and a neat appearance, the final grade of 58 (Very Good – VG) reflects a desirable example for a mid-grade mint collection.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (647)

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

Public Questions