U. S. Scott #561 - Used - Graded Fair (NA01-0091-03-02)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

561

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

VG & Below

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1923

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #561 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
9¢ Rose – Thomas Jefferson, 1923
(Regular Issue – Flat Plate Printing, Perf 11, No Watermark)

Design Overview:
Scott #561 is a 9¢ rose-colored engraved stamp issued in 1923 as part of the Fourth Bureau Issue. The stamp features a finely engraved portrait of President Thomas Jefferson framed by ornate corner scrolls and an oval inner border. “UNITED STATES POSTAGE” is inscribed across the top, while “9 CENTS” appears in large numerals at the bottom corners. The stamp was printed using flat plate techniques and has standard perforation gauge 11.

The submitted example is postally used with a black “NEW YORK, N.Y.” precancel spanning the width of the stamp. The reverse shows a visible thin, a hinge remnant, and faint pencil markings.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 31 (Good)
The stamp exhibits notably poor centering. The perforations intrude visibly into the left side of the design, cutting well into the oval portrait frame—by more than 0.2mm. The bottom margin is also quite narrow, though it retains some white space. The right and top margins are more generous but not enough to counterbalance the design loss on the left. Under the PSE Grading Guide, this falls under the Good centering classification (Grade 31), where some portion of the design is lost due to poor perforation alignment.

Soundness Evaluation:
Faults Observed Include:
Major Fault: Large thin
Very Minor Fault: Hinge remnant
Extremely Minor Fault: Pencil writing on reverse
According to the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, the combination of a large thin with minor and very minor faults results in a Major Fault classification.
Soundness Deduction: –20 points

Perforations and Margins:
The stamp is perforated 11 on all sides as expected. Perforations are physically intact but aggressively intrude into the design on the left, contributing to the Good centering grade. There is no evidence of reperforation or trimming.

Cancellation Classification:
The bold black precancel “NEW YORK, N.Y.” spans the central portrait and horizontal bars bisect the top and bottom of the stamp. While clearly applied, the precancel is standard for this issue and doesn’t obliterate the design.
Cancellation Classification: Neat / Clean
Eye Appeal Adjustment: 0 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 31 (Good)
Soundness Deduction: –20 (Major Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 11
Eye Appeal Adjustment: 0
Final Grade: 11 (Fair – FR)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 561
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering: 31 (Good – design cut into at left)
Soundness: Major Fault (large thin, hinge remnant, pencil writing)
Perforations: Perf 11, intact but cutting deeply into design
Cancellation: Bold precancel, standard and not visually disruptive
Eye Appeal: No adjustment
Final Grade: 11 (Fair – FR)

Final Verdict:
This used Scott #561 is heavily downgraded due to both intrusive perforations into the design and a large thin on the reverse. Though the cancel is standard and unobtrusive, the combination of poor centering and a major fault reduces its final numerical grade to 11 (Fair) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (714)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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