U. S. Scott #883 - Used - Graded VG (LA01-0053-01-05)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

883

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1940

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #883 (Used, Hinged – Single Stamp)
10¢ Brown – Peter Cooper, 1940
(Famous Americans Series – Engraved, Perf 11, Unwatermarked)

Design Overview:
Scott #883 was issued in 1940 as part of the Famous Americans series, honoring industrialist, inventor, and philanthropist Peter Cooper. The engraved vignette shows his portrait within an oval frame with laurel branches at the sides. The denomination “10¢” appears at the lower left, with “PETER COOPER” inscribed below the frame. The submitted example is postally used, hinged, and has no original gum.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 79 (Fine/Very Fine)
The perforations are clear of the design on all sides, with margins slightly unbalanced. The top margin is the narrowest, followed by the left, while the bottom and right are more generous, with the right side providing the most space. This places the stamp in the Fine/Very Fine centering range under PSE 2009 standards.

Soundness Evaluation:
This stamp shows the following fault:
Very Minor Fault: Corner perforation crease
This places the stamp in the Very Minor Fault classification.
Soundness Deduction: –7 points

Perforations and Margins:
The stamp is perforated 11 on all sides, as expected for this issue. All perforations are intact, though a crease affects one corner. Margins are uneven, with the top and left narrower than the bottom and right.

Cancellation Evaluation:
The stamp bears a bold black circular cancel applied centrally, heavily overlapping the portrait and surrounding frame. This obscures much of the vignette and qualifies as a Very Heavy cancel under PSE standards.
Cancellation Classification: Very Heavy Cancel (–15 points)

Collector’s Note:
Cancellations that cover the entire portrait are less desirable to collectors, as they reduce design clarity. A lighter or better-placed cancel would have preserved more of the vignette’s visual appeal.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
The color remains strong, but the very heavy cancel and corner perf crease reduce overall balance and clarity. Adjustment: –15 points.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 79 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –7 (Very Minor Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 72
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –15 (Very Heavy cancel)
Final Grade: 57 (Very Good)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 883
Condition: Used, Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 79 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Very Minor Fault (corner perf crease) –7 points
Perforations: Perf 11, intact, with one corner crease
Cancellation: Very Heavy cancel obscuring portrait (–15 points)
Eye Appeal: –15 points due to heavy cancel interference
Final Grade: 57 (Very Good)

Final Verdict:
This used, hinged example of Scott #883 displays Fine/Very Fine centering and retains strong color. Its overall grade is lowered by a corner perf crease and a very heavy cancel obscuring the portrait, resulting in a final grade of 57 (Very Good) under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. It remains a collectible representative of the Peter Cooper issue in the Famous Americans series.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (827)

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

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