U. S. Scott #640 - Used - Graded VG/F

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

640

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1927

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #640 (Used, No Gum, Never Hinged)

Design Overview
Scott #640 is an 8¢ yellow stamp from the 1927 Fourth Bureau Issue featuring a finely engraved portrait of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States. The design is symmetrical, with Grant’s portrait framed within an oval surrounded by ornamental flourishes. The denomination appears in large numerals at the lower corners, and “UNITED STATES POSTAGE” arches across the top.

This example is used, never hinged, and without gum (typical for used stamps and not a fault).

Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Fine/Very Fine (77)
The stamp is noticeably off-center, slightly to the left and low.
All four framelines are clearly clear of the perforations, meeting the minimum requirements for Fine/Very Fine.
The vertical balance is slightly more off than the horizontal, but still falls into the F/VF bracket. ? Centering Grade: 77

Soundness Evaluation
No thins, tears, stains, or creases are visible.
The stamp appears structurally sound, and the perforations are complete.
No visible faults on the front or back aside from standard cancelation ink on the face. ? Soundness: Faultless ? Soundness Deduction: –0 ? Combined Base Grade: 77

Perforations
The perforation teeth are full and even on all four sides.
No clipped or shortened perfs noted.
Cancellation Classification
The cancel consists of three bold, dark horizontal bars and a fourth diagonal top bar.
The cancel is very heavy, obscuring nearly the entire face of Grant’s portrait.
According to your grading system, this qualifies as:
Very Heavy Cancel → Eye Appeal Deduction: –15 pts

Eye Appeal Adjustment
Aspect Assessment
Color & Impression Bright yellow with good clarity and contrast.
Overall Appearance Strong visual despite cancel; no fading or toning.
Cancel Impact Very heavy, overwhelms the portrait details.
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: –15 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Centering) 77
Soundness Deduction –0
Subtotal 77
Eye Appeal Adjustment –15
Final Grade 62

Final Summary
Category Details
Scott Number #640
Condition Used, No Gum, Never Hinged
Centering Fine/Very Fine (77)
Soundness Faultless
Perforations Full, well-formed
Eye Appeal Heavy cancellation, –15 pts
Final Grade 62 – Very Good-Fine (VG-F)

✅ Final Verdict:
This is a structurally sound, well-centered used example of Scott #640, held back primarily by a very heavy cancel that obscures the portrait. Its VG-F (62) grade reflects its strong fundamentals and visual appeal, tempered by the harsh cancel.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (571)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

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Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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