U. S. Scott #704 - Used - Graded FR/G (LA01-0034-03-01)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

704

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

Fine

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1932

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #704 (Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum – Single Stamp)
½¢ Olive Brown – George Washington, 1932
(Washington Bicentennial Issue – Flat Plate Printing, Perf 11)

Design Overview:
Scott #704 was issued in 1932 as part of the Washington Bicentennial series commemorating the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The design features a bust portrait of Washington framed in an oval with laurel leaves, with the inscription “1732–1932” above and “WASHINGTON” beneath. The denomination “½” appears in tablets at the lower corners. This example is postally used, never hinged, and has no original gum.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine – F)
Margins are uneven: the bottom is the narrowest, the top the broadest, and the left margin narrower than the right. The design is close to the perforations but maintains visible white space on all sides, meeting the Fine centering criteria under the PSE scale.

Soundness Evaluation:
Minor Fault: Tiny tear less than 0.5 mm
Minor Fault: Light crease
With two minor faults present, this example is classified in the Fault category per the 2009 PSE Soundness Table.
Soundness Deduction: –40 points

Perforations and Margins:
Perforated 11 on all sides, consistent with the issue. All perforations are intact and original, though the bottom margin is noticeably narrow.

Cancellation Evaluation:
The stamp bears a black machine cancel consisting of multiple horizontal wavy bars that cross Washington’s portrait. While not obliterating, the cancel does significantly intrude into the vignette, qualifying as a heavy cancel.

Collector’s Note:
This issue is more desirable with lighter, circular date cancels. Wavy machine cancels, while common, tend to detract from eye appeal by obscuring design features.

Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5
The heavy cancel across the portrait lowers presentation, though the olive-brown color and engraving detail remain fairly strong.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –40 (Fault classification)
Adjusted Base Grade: 30
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5 (Heavy cancel)
Final Grade: 25 (Fair–Good – FR-G)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 704
Condition: Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 70 (Fine)
Soundness: Fault (tiny tear, light crease)
Perforations: Perf 11, intact, with bottom margin narrowest
Cancellation: Heavy machine cancel across portrait
Eye Appeal: –5 deduction for cancel placement
Final Grade: 25 (Fair–Good – FR-G)

Final Verdict:
Although centered to Fine, the combination of a tiny tear, light crease, and heavy machine cancel reduce this Scott #704 to a grade of 25 (Fair–Good) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. It remains collectible, though in modest condition for the issue.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (880)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions