U. S. Scott #643 - Used - Graded FR/G (LA01-0031-01-01)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

643

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 #643 (Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum – Single Stamp)
2¢ Carmine – Vermont Sesquicentennial (Battle of Bennington), 1927
(Commemorative Issue – Flat Plate Printing, Perf 11)

Design Overview:
Scott #643 was issued in 1927 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Bennington, fought in 1777 during the Revolutionary War. The design shows a Green Mountain Boy holding a musket, framed by woodland background details and scrolls, with “VERMONT SESQUICENTENNIAL” inscribed above, the years “1777” and “1927” in ribboned banners, and the denomination “2 CENTS” at the bottom. This example is postally used, never hinged, and has no original gum, consistent with circulated singles.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 78 (Fine/Very Fine – F-VF)
Margins are clear of the design, with the bottom margin narrowest, the top widest, and the right narrower than the left. This balance meets the Fine/Very Fine centering standard on the PSE scale.

Soundness Evaluation:
Major Fault: Large thin on reverse
Very Minor Fault: Five shorter perfs, less than half normal length
Extremely Minor Fault: One fuzzy or ragged perf
According to the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, a large thin is a Major Fault, which dominates the classification regardless of lesser faults.
Soundness Deduction: –45 points

Perforations and Margins:
Perforated 11 on all four sides as issued. Teeth are complete, but several are short, with one ragged. Margins conform to the centering grade, with the bottom margin noticeably narrow.

Cancellation Evaluation:
The stamp carries a black machine cancel horizontally across the vignette. It partially obscures the figure but leaves inscriptions legible. This qualifies as a heavy cancel.

Collector’s Note:
Machine cancels of this type are typical for the issue, though lighter circular date cancels are more desirable. The placement here detracts from visual clarity but remains within normal postal usage.

Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5
The heavy cancel, combined with the back thin and irregular perfs, reduces visual appeal despite strong color and impression.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 78 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –45 (Major Fault classification)
Adjusted Base Grade: 33
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5 (Heavy cancel, thin visibility)
Final Grade: 28 (Fair–Good – FR-G)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 643
Condition: Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 78 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Major Fault (large thin, short perfs, ragged perf)
Perforations: Perf 11, intact but with multiple short and ragged tips
Cancellation: Heavy machine cancel across vignette
Eye Appeal: –5 deduction for cancel and thin impact
Final Grade: 28 (Fair–Good – FR-G)

Final Verdict:
Though centered Fine/Very Fine, the large thin, short perforations, and heavy machine cancel reduce this Scott #643 to a final grade of 28 (Fair–Good) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. It remains an identifiable but low-grade representative of the Vermont Sesquicentennial commemorative.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (825)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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