U. S. Scott #C97 - Used - Graded G/VG

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

C97

Stamp Type

Air Mail

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1979

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #C97 (Used, Never Hinged – Single Stamp)
31¢ High Jumper – 1980 Summer Olympics
(U.S. Airmail Issue – Commemorating Olympic Excellence)

?️ Design Overview
The 1980 airmail issue celebrating the Summer Olympic Games features a dynamic image of a high jumper in motion, mid-flight over the bar using the Fosbury Flop technique. The bold visual, framed in red, white, green, and blue, captures athletic grace and determination. The stamp reads “Airmail Olympics 1980” in crisp type on the lower left, with a patriotic “USA” and denomination “31¢” on the right.

? Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Fine/Very Fine (78)
Top Margin: Slightly fuller
Bottom Margin: Slightly narrower, but not crowding the design
Side Margins: Well balanced and comfortably away from the frame
Overall Appearance: Clean, well-centered presentation that avoids visual tension
? Assigned Centering Grade: 78

? Soundness Evaluation
Gum: No gum (as used – not a fault)
Hinging: Never hinged
Faults Detected:
Very Minor Fault: Light dirt smudging/spotting visible on the back
Very Minor Fault: One noticeably short perf, about half normal length
? Fault Classification: Minor Fault (2 very minor faults)
? Soundness Deduction: –20
? Adjusted Base Grade: 58

✂️ Perforations & Margins
Perforation Condition: All intact with one short lower perf
Margins:
Ample top and side margins
Bottom slightly tight, but not impinging on the design
Overall: Perforations are generally regular and symmetrical aside from one shorter tooth

? Cancellation Evaluation
Type: Black machine cancel (arc pattern)
Coverage:
Crosses through the jumper’s torso, left arm, head, and USA/31¢ area
Most of the design, including Olympic and denomination elements, is affected
Obscuration: High — the cancel overlays multiple focal points
? Cancellation Classification: Very Heavy
? Visual Impact: Disruptive to design clarity

?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation
Aspect Assessment Impact
Color Bold, well-saturated blues, greens, reds +1
Impression Well-defined printing with no blur +1
Freshness Front clean; back shows minor spotting 0
Balance Strong framing, no visible skew 0
Visible Faults Very heavy cancellation obscures key elements –15
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: –13

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Component Score
Centering Grade 78
Soundness Deduction –20
Subtotal 58
Eye Appeal Adjustment –13
Final Grade 45 ✅

? Final Summary
Attribute Details
Scott Number C97
Format Single Stamp
Condition Used, Never Hinged
Gum No Gum (used – not a fault)
Centering Fine/Very Fine (78)
Soundness Minor Fault – dirt spotting & short perf
Eye Appeal –13 – Very heavy cancel obscures design details
Final Grade 45 (Good–Very Good) ✅

? Final Verdict
Despite its strong centering and excellent printing, this used example of Scott #C97 is heavily affected by a very heavy machine cancel that spans across the design’s focal points, including the jumper, “USA,” and the denomination. Coupled with minor reverse-side issues, the stamp earns a Final Grade of 45 (Good–Very Good), suitable for filling a space or for thematic Olympic collections where visual condition is less critical.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (560)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

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Store

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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