U. S. Scott #684 - Used - Graded Very Good

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

684

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1930

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #684 (Used, No Gum – Single Stamp)
Warren G. Harding – 1½¢ Brown, Regular Issue (1925–1931 Series)

Design Overview
Scott #684 is the 1½¢ brown definitive issue from the Fourth Bureau series, issued in the mid-1920s. The engraved portrait of President Warren G. Harding appears within a finely detailed oval frame, flanked by bold corner denominations and topped with “UNITED STATES POSTAGE.” This rotary press-printed stamp was commonly used for bulk and third-class mail. The stamp is used, with no gum, and bears a partial blue face cancel.

Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Fine/Very Fine (76)
The stamp is slightly off-center to the right, with a narrow right margin, but maintains full white space on all sides.
Top, bottom, and left margins are broad, providing an overall balanced look.
Meets the PSE criteria for Fine/Very Fine centering.
? Assigned Centering Grade: 76

Soundness Evaluation
This stamp has a light crease, visible especially on the reverse — qualifying as a Minor Fault.
There are no tears, thins, or missing perforations.
The cancel is not considered a fault but will factor into eye appeal.
As a used stamp, the absence of gum is expected and not penalized.
? Soundness Category: Minor Fault
? Soundness Deduction: –20
? Adjusted Base Grade: 56

Perforations & Margins
Perforations: Full and even all around with no short or irregular teeth.
Margins:
Right: Slightly narrow, but does not touch the design.
Left, Top, and Bottom: Wide and enhance the visual balance.

Eye Appeal Evaluation
Aspect Assessment
Color & Impression Deep brown ink, well-saturated, with clean engraved detail
Cancellation Blue partial cancel runs across the face — bold but not obliterating
Crease Visibility Light crease not visible from the front
Overall Presentation The stamp retains decent balance and facial clarity despite flaws
The blue face cancel slightly obscures Harding’s face and weakens the stamp’s appeal at a glance. The crease is not visible from the front, so no additional eye appeal deduction is warranted for it.
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5

Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Centering) 76
Soundness Deduction –20
Subtotal 56
Eye Appeal Adjustment –5
Final Grade 51 ✅

Final Summary
Attribute Details
Scott Number 684
Condition Used
Gum No Gum (Expected for used stamp)
Centering Fine/Very Fine (76)
Soundness Minor Fault – Light crease (–20)
Eye Appeal Bold blue cancel across face (–5), otherwise well-balanced and crisp
Final Grade 51 (Very Good)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #684 is a decent used example with strong color and solid centering. However, a light crease and a face-canceling blue mark reduce its grade. Despite these factors, it still presents above average for a used stamp with faults. The final grade of 51 places it solidly in the Very Good range. Suitable as a filler or reference piece in a Harding collection.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (557)

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

Public Questions