U. S. Scott #642 - Used - Graded Fair (NA01-0105-04-03)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

642

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

Fine

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1927

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #642 (Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum – Single Stamp)
10¢ Yellow – James Monroe, 1926
(Regular Issue – Flat Plate Printing, Perf 11)

Design Overview:
Scott #642, issued in 1926 as part of the Fourth Bureau Issue, features a portrait of President James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States, framed in an ornate oval with “UNITED STATES POSTAGE” at the top and “10 CENTS” at the bottom corners. This example is postally used, never hinged, and has no original gum, consistent with a circulated single.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine – F)
The stamp’s design comes close to the perforations on the bottom and right sides but maintains visible white space. The top margin is the broadest, the bottom the narrowest, and the right side narrower than the left. These relationships align with Fine centering under the PSE 2009 scale.

Soundness Evaluation:
Severe Fault: Severe crease or multiple creases
Minor Fault: Discoloration
According to the 2009 PSE Soundness Table, the presence of a severe crease places the stamp in the Severe Fault category regardless of secondary issues.
Soundness Deduction: –51 points

Perforations and Margins:
Perforated 11 on all sides, as expected for the issue. The perforations are intact with no obvious clipping, though alignment emphasizes the narrow bottom and right margins.

Cancellation Evaluation:
The stamp bears a dark, heavy, circular cancel spread across the portrait and inscription. The strike is blotchy, obscuring much of Monroe’s face and surrounding design. This qualifies as a very heavy cancel under PSE guidelines.

Collector’s Note:
While lighter strikes are more desirable, this type of obliterating cancel is common on the issue and reflects normal postal usage. However, it detracts significantly from visual clarity.

Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5
The heavy cancel, coupled with discoloration and visible creasing, reduces visual appeal despite the design remaining identifiable.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –51 (Severe Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 19 (Fair)
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5 (Very heavy cancel and discoloration)
Final Grade: 14 (Fair – FR)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 642
Condition: Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 70 (Fine)
Soundness: Severe Fault (severe crease, discoloration)
Perforations: Perf 11, intact but narrow at bottom and right
Cancellation: Very heavy, obscuring much of the design
Eye Appeal: –5 deduction for cancel, discoloration, and crease visibility
Final Grade: 14 (Fair – FR)

Final Verdict:
Despite Fine centering, the severe crease, discoloration, and very heavy cancel bring this Scott #642 down to a final grade of 14 (Fair) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. It remains an identifiable, but low-grade representative of the issue.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (824)

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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