U. S. Scott #561 - Used - Graded Good

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, No Original Gum – Single Stamp)
9¢ Rose – Thomas Jefferson, 1923
(Fourth Bureau Issue – Flat Plate Printing, Type I)

Design Overview:
Issued in 1923, Scott #561 features a portrait of President Thomas Jefferson engraved in rose red ink. As part of the enduring Fourth Bureau Issue, the stamp highlights classic American historical figures in ornate, vertically formatted designs. This 9¢ denomination served parcel and letter rates and was printed using the flat plate method, perforated 11x11.
This specimen shows a partial machine cancel at the right edge and exhibits significant physical wear, including clear creases and perforation issues. It has been hinged and no longer retains its original gum, though hinging is not factored into the numerical grade per your criteria.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 32 (Good – G)
Perforations on the left side cut well into the design, visibly removing part of the circular frame and text near the left “9”.
The bottom perforations also press into the frameline, reducing visual balance.
Per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide:
"The perforations cut well into the design, and some portion of the design is lost... At least 0.2mm into the design."
This falls under Good (30–39) centering.

Soundness: Major Fault (–45 deduction)
Heavy crease across the upper left quadrant, extending diagonally and visible from both front and back.
Multiple perf tip creases are also evident along the left and lower edges.
Based on the PSE Grading Guide:
“Heavy crease or two creases = Major Fault”; “Two or three faults or a combination of minor faults = Major Fault”
This combination clearly qualifies for a Major Fault classification.

Perforations & Margins:
Perforation Gauge: 11x11
The left and bottom perforations intrude into the design.
Several perforation tips are creased, but none appear clipped or missing.

Cancellation Classification:
Aspect Description
Type Black machine cancel
Appearance Partial, blurred cancel at right edge
Effect Minimal design interference
The cancel is light and positioned away from the face.
This qualifies for no eye appeal deduction.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Factor Observation Adjustment
Color & Impression Slight fading in center, otherwise consistent 0 pts
Cancellation Partial machine cancel, minimal effect 0 pts
Paper Condition Diagonal crease and visible back mark Already covered in soundness
? Final Eye Appeal Adjustment: +0 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Good Centering) 32
Soundness Deduction (Major Fault) –45
Eye Appeal Adjustment +0
Final Numerical Grade 32 (Good – G)

Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 561
Condition Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering 32 (Good – G); design cut into by perforations
Soundness Major Fault (Heavy crease + perf tip creases)
Perforations 11x11; left and bottom perfs intrude on design
Cancellation Partial black machine cancel (minimal visual impact)
Eye Appeal No adjustment
Final Grade 32 (Good – G)

? Final Verdict:
This used Scott #561 suffers from significant physical faults, including a heavy diagonal crease and multiple perf tip creases, qualifying it for Major Fault soundness. Combined with Good (32) centering due to perforations cutting into the design, the stamp’s final numerical grade is 32 (Good – G) per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (644)

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