U. S. Scott #831 - Used - Graded Poor (LA01-0050-02-01)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

831

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

Fine

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1938

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #831 (Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum – Single Stamp)
50¢ Lilac – William McKinley, 1938
(Presidential Series “Prexies” – Rotary Press Printing, Perf 11×10½)

Design Overview:
Scott #831 portrays William McKinley, 25th President of the United States, who served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. The design presents a left-facing engraved portrait framed by a rectangular border. “UNITED STATES POSTAGE” appears at upper right, “WILLIAM McKINLEY – 1897–1901” below, and the denomination “50 CENTS 50” at the bottom. Issued in 1938 as part of the Presidential Series, the 50¢ denomination commonly covered higher-value international rates and special usages. The submitted example is postally used, never hinged, and without original gum.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine)
The design is close to the perforations at the bottom and right but retains visible white space on all sides. The top margin is the widest, the bottom the narrowest, with the right margin tighter than the left. This is consistent with Fine centering per PSE 2009 standards, where perforations come close to but do not cut into the design.

Soundness Evaluation:
Severe Fault: Multiple creases
Major Fault: Large thin
Minor Fault: Very short or nibbed perf
Very Minor Fault: One shorter to short perf, less than half normal length
The combination of a large thin and multiple creases elevates the stamp to Severe Fault classification under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.
Soundness Deduction: –51 points

Perforations and Margins:
Gauge 11×10½, correct for the issue. Several perforations show visible faults, including a very short tooth and one shorter perf less than half normal length. No evidence of trimming or reperforation is present. Margin balance matches the Fine centering grade, though the bottom margin is very tight.

Cancellation Evaluation:
The cancel is a black strike with vertical orientation across the right side of the vignette and inscription. It qualifies as a Heavy Cancel under PSE definitions. While it leaves McKinley’s portrait largely identifiable, it does impact visual balance.

Collector’s Note:
High-value Prexies are often found with heavy usage cancels. Although this example has multiple structural problems, the cancel itself is not obliterating and allows the subject to remain visible.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Despite the strong color retention, the combination of Severe Fault soundness and a heavy cancel reduces overall eye appeal. A –10 point adjustment is applied.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 70 (Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –51 (Severe Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 19
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –10
Final Grade: 9 (Poor)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 831
Condition: Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 70 (Fine)
Soundness: Severe Fault (multiple creases, large thin, short/nibbed perfs), –51
Perforations: Perf 11×10½, several faults but genuine
Cancellation: Heavy black strike, –10 adjustment
Eye Appeal: –10 due to cancel weight combined with structural faults
Final Grade: 9 (Poor)

Final Verdict:
This used Scott #831 shows Fine centering but is significantly downgraded due to multiple severe structural problems including creases, a large thin, and faulty perfs. Combined with a heavy cancel, the stamp falls to a final numerical grade of 9 (Poor) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. It remains a space-filling example of the issue under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (843)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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