U. S. Scott #C116 - Used - Graded Fine

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

C116

Stamp Type

Air Mail

Condition

Used

Centering

VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

70 (Fine)

Year of Issue

1985

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #C116 (Used, Never Hinged – Single Stamp)
44¢ US Airmail – Junípero Serra, 1985
(U.S. Airmail Issue – Historic Figures Series)

?️ Design Overview
This issue commemorates Junípero Serra, the Spanish missionary credited with founding the California mission system. The design displays a detailed portrait of Serra with a mission in the background and a map of Baja/Alta California to the left. The composition blends soft earth tones with a subtle historic narrative, symbolizing Serra's cultural influence.

? Grading Breakdown
Centering Observation:
The stamp shows very strong centering, with the design well-balanced top-to-bottom and only a slight rightward shift. The image is clearly framed within the perforation holes, and the margins retain good white space. This qualifies as Extremely Fine by PSE standards.
Margins:
Top/Bottom: Balanced
Left: Wider than right
Right: Slightly narrow
Overall Impression: Premium centering
? Assigned Centering Grade: 91 (Extremely Fine)

? Soundness Evaluation
Gum: None (used)
Hinging: Never hinged
Faults Noted:
Heavy ink transfer visible on the back of the stamp
Impression ghosting of front design colors on reverse
? Fault Classification: Minor Fault
? Soundness Deduction: –15
? Adjusted Base Grade: 76

✂️ Perforations & Margins
Perforation Quality: All perforations intact, cleanly punched
Edge Integrity: No pulled or missing perfs
Margins: All four margins clear of design
Corners: Undamaged and well-formed

? Cancellation Evaluation
Cancellation Type: Black machine wavy-line cancel
Location: Runs horizontally across Serra's face and mission backdrop
Impact: Design remains clearly visible; cancellation is moderate to heavy
? Cancellation Classification: Heavy
? Eye Appeal Impact (Cancellation): –8

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation
Aspect Assessment Impact
Color Rich tones with bold contrast +1
Impression Clear facial features and mission detail +1
Freshness Strong visual impact despite cancel and ink ghosting 0
Balance Slightly right-shifted, not distracting 0
Fault Visibility Ink transfer not visible from front 0
Cancellation Heavy but not obscuring majority of design –8
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: –6

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Component Score
Centering Grade 91
Soundness Deduction –15
Subtotal 76
Eye Appeal Adjustment –6
Final Grade 70 ✅

? Final Summary
Attribute Details
Scott Number C116
Format Single Stamp
Condition Used, Never Hinged
Gum No gum
Centering Extremely Fine (91)
Soundness Minor Fault – heavy ink transfer on back
Eye Appeal –6 – moderate to heavy cancel, otherwise strong visual appeal
Final Grade 70 (Fine) ✅

? Final Verdict
This second used specimen of Scott #C116 demonstrates superior centering, clean perforations, and excellent face presentation. However, a heavy ink transfer on the reverse and a moderately heavy cancel reduce its overall grade. The final numerical grade of 70 (Fine) makes it a solid choice for condition-aware collectors seeking examples with above-average centering and minor visible flaws.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (574)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

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Store

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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