U. S. Scott #559 - MH - Graded Fine

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

559

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Unused

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

70 (Fine)

Year of Issue

1923

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #559 (Unused, Hinged, Original Gum – Single Stamp)
7¢ Black – William McKinley, 1923
(Fourth Bureau Issue – Flat Plate Printing, Type I)

Design Overview:
Issued in 1923, Scott #559 features a crisp, detailed portrait of President William McKinley in black, framed by classical engraving flourishes and numeral ornaments. Part of the 1922–1925 Fourth Bureau Issue series, this stamp was printed using the flat plate printing method and perforated 11x11. McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was commemorated with this denomination shortly after the turn of the century.
This example is unused, hinged, and retains its original gum. The front exhibits deep black ink with rich contrast, and the reverse reveals light offset ink, likely from stacked storage.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 78 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
The design is clearly free of all perforations with white space surrounding it.
The left margin is significantly wider than the narrower right and top margins, but all are visibly clear of the design.
Under the 2009 PSE Guide, this qualifies as Fine/Very Fine (78) centering, with slightly unbalanced spacing but full, intact margins.

Soundness: Very Minor Fault (–5 deduction)
The back of the stamp shows light ink offset, mirroring elements of the design in reverse.
According to the PSE Table of Soundness, such ink transfer qualifies as a Very Minor Fault, as it is natural and not visually distracting from the front.
No thins, tears, or creases are present.

Perforations & Margins:
Perforation Gauge: 11x11
All sides show full perforation teeth with no evidence of reperforation, clipped perfs, or scissor cuts.
Margins are noticeably uneven, with left being widest and top being narrowest.

Cancellation Classification:
❌ Not applicable – this stamp is unused.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Factors Considered:
Aspect Observation Adjustment
Color & Impression Rich, jet black color with crisp engraving lines +0
Paper Condition Clean face; offset ink visible only on reverse side +0
Overall Presentation Strong visual impression with no visible front flaws +0
? Final Eye Appeal Adjustment: +0 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Centering) 78 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
Soundness Deduction (Very Minor Fault) –5 (Ink offset on reverse)
Eye Appeal Adjustment +0
Final Numerical Grade 73 (Fine – F)

Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 559
Condition Unused, Hinged, Original Gum
Centering 78 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
Soundness Very Minor Fault (Ink offset on reverse)
Perforations 11x11, intact and even
Cancellation None (unused stamp)
Eye Appeal No adjustment; front is clean and strong
Final Grade 73 (Fine – F)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #559 stamp from the 1923 Fourth Bureau Issue is unused with original gum and has been previously hinged. Its centering is Fine/Very Fine (78), with a wider left margin and narrower top and right edges. A very minor ink offset is visible on the reverse, qualifying for a –5 deduction under PSE guidelines. No flaws are visible from the front, and no eye appeal adjustment is warranted. The final numerical grade is 73 (Fine – F).

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (631)

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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