U. S. Scott #604 Pair - MH - Graded VG/F (NA01-0099-05-02)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

604

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Unused

Centering

Fine

Stamp Format

Pair

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1924

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #604 (Unused, Hinged – Vertical Pair)
1¢ Green – Benjamin Franklin, 1926
(Rotary Press Printing, Perf 11, Unwatermarked)

Design Overview:
Scott #604 is a 1¢ green rotary press-printed stamp featuring a left-facing portrait of Benjamin Franklin enclosed in an ornate oval frame. “UNITED STATES POSTAGE” is printed at the top, while “1 CENT 1” appears below. Issued in 1926 as part of the Fourth Bureau Issue series, it was printed on unwatermarked paper and perforated 11 on all four sides.

The submitted example is an unused vertical pair with original gum and a visible hinge remnant. It presents strongly from the front with good color and full perforations, though the centering is slightly off and minor flaws are evident on the reverse.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 71 (Fine)
The stamp pair is centered slightly toward the lower left. The bottom margin is the tightest, followed by the left. The right margin is the most generous, and the top margin is wider than the left but still narrower than the right. Margins are clear of the design on all sides, with white space visible to the unaided eye, qualifying the pair for the “Fine” centering grade per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Soundness Evaluation:
This stamp pair has one minor flaw:
Very Minor Fault: Hinge remnant on the reverse
There are no tears, thins, creases, stains, or perforation defects.
Soundness Classification: Very Minor Fault
Soundness Deduction: –10 points

Perforations and Margins:
Perforated 11 on all four sides, the pair exhibits full, clean, and genuine perforations with no signs of trimming or alteration. The horizontal perforations between the two stamps are fully intact and centered properly. Margin sizes vary but are within range for Fine centering.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
The stamp pair shows bold color, strong impression, and well-preserved paper with no discoloration, smudging, or other visual distractions. The hinge remnant does not affect the front-facing presentation. As such, no adjustment is applied for eye appeal.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: 0 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 71 (Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –10 (Very Minor Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 61
Eye Appeal Adjustment: 0
Final Grade: 61 (Very Good/Fine – VG/F)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 604
Condition: Unused, Hinged, Original Gum
Centering: 71 (Fine)
Soundness: Very Minor Fault (hinge remnant)
Perforations: Perf 11, full and unaltered
Eye Appeal: Strong impression and color; no adjustment
Final Grade: 61 (Very Good/Fine – VG/F)

Final Verdict:
This unused vertical pair of Scott #604 is a well-centered and visually attractive example of a Fourth Bureau rotary press issue. A minor hinge remnant on the reverse slightly affects the grade, but the stamp pair retains its bold color and structural integrity. Final grade: 61 (Very Good/Fine) per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (833)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

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Store

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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