U. S. Scott #616 - Used - Graded Fair (LA01-0029-01-03)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

616

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1924

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #616 (Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum – Single Stamp)
5¢ Blue – Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary, 1924
(Commemorative Issue – Flat-Plate Printing, Perf 11)

Design Overview:
Scott #616 commemorates the 300th anniversary of the 1624 Huguenot-Walloon settlement. The vignette shows the Hudson River Monument in a coastal scene, framed by ornate scrolls and ribboned date tablets “1624” and “1924,” with “U.S. POSTAGE” above and the denomination tablets at lower left and right. This submitted example is postally used, shows no hinge disturbance, and has no original gum remaining, consistent with a used single.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 78 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
All perforation holes are visibly clear of the design. Margins are uneven: the right is the narrowest, the left the widest, and the bottom narrower than the top. Overall balance fits Fine/Very Fine centering for flat-plate commemoratives.

Soundness Evaluation:
Severe Fault: Severe crease or multiple creases traversing the stamp.
Very Minor Fault: Perf-tip crease.
Extremely Minor Faults: Three shorter perf tips, about half normal length.
Under the 2009 PSE soundness table, the severe crease governs the classification regardless of lesser defects, placing the stamp in the Severe Fault category.
Soundness Deduction: –55 points.

Perforations and Margins:
Perforation gauge 11 on all sides, as issued. Teeth are complete but show irregularities consistent with the listed short tips and one tip crease. No evidence of trimming or reperforation. Margin relationships match the centering discussion above.

Cancellation Evaluation:
A dark, horizontally spread machine cancel crosses the vignette and upper inscription. Design elements remain identifiable, but the strike is heavier than average and intrudes on the scene, classifying as a heavy cancel.

Collector’s Note:
For this issue, lighter circular date cancels tend to showcase the detailed central design; heavier machine strikes like this one are common in period usage but reduce visual appeal.

Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5
Color and impression remain serviceable; however, the heavy cancel and visibility of the crease lower overall presentation.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 78 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –55 (Severe Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 23
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5
Final Grade: 18 (Fair – FR)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 616
Condition: Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 78 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Severe Fault, with additional very minor and extremely minor defects
Perforations: Perf 11, complete but with several short and one creased tip
Cancellation: Heavy machine cancel across the vignette
Eye Appeal: –5 adjustment for cancel severity and visible crease
Final Grade: 18 (Fair – FR)

Final Verdict:
Despite respectable F/VF centering, a severe crease and a heavy machine cancel drive the grade down to Fair 18 under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. It remains a clearly identifiable, serviceable space-filler example of this 1924 commemorative.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (826)

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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