U. S. Scott #R172 - Used - Graded FR/G (SL01-0002-09-03)

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

R172

Stamp Type

Revenues

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #R172 (Used, Never Hinged – Single Stamp)
80¢ Orange Brown – Battleship Documentary, 1898
(U.S. Revenue Stamp – Spanish-American War Issue)

?️ Design Overview:
Scott #R172 is the 80¢ high-value stamp from the 1898 Battleship Documentary series, issued to generate wartime revenue on financial transactions. It features a striking engraving of a U.S. Navy warship flanked by classical scrolls, printed in orange brown ink. The top reads “EIGHTY CENTS” and the bottom “DOCUMENTARY.” This stamp was issued without gum and features horizontal roulette perforations.

This specimen is used, never hinged, and shows no signs of re-gumming.

? Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 78 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
The stamp is well centered vertically, with good margins on top and bottom.
The left margin is very slightly wider than the right, but perforations are clear of the design on all sides.
As defined by the PSE Grading Guide, this qualifies as Fine/Very Fine centering.

? Soundness Evaluation:
Condition: Used, Never Hinged, No Gum (as issued)
Faults Identified:
Fault: A small tear approximately 1 mm in length, visible along the bottom margin.
Minor Fault: Heavy cancellation bleed-through on the back.
Fault: A cut cancel, clearly slicing through the paper and creating parallel horizontal cuts.
? Soundness Deduction: –30 points
The cut cancel is a significant condition defect.
The small tear and heavy bleed-through raise the severity of the stamp’s condition.
Based on PSE criteria, the combination of one Fault, one Minor Fault, and an additional cut cancel warrants a -30 deduction.
➡️ Combined base grade = 48 (Good/Very Good – G/VG)

✂️ Perforations & Margins:
The stamp is horizontally rouletted (top and bottom), as expected.
Natural imperforate vertical edges on left and right.
Cut cancel slits pass through the center of the stamp.
No signs of trimming outside the cut cancel.

?️ Cancellation Classification:
A heavy blue cancel obscures much of the stamp’s central design, including the battleship and lettering.
Additionally, a mechanical cut cancel adds further disruption.

? Cancellation Classification: Obliterated – Cut Cancel + Heavy Cancel
➡️ Eye Appeal Deduction: –25 points
?️ Eye Appeal Evaluation:

Eye Appeal Factors Evaluation Adjustment
Cancellation Heavy blue handstamp + cut cancel (obliterating) –25 pts
Color & Impression Rich orange brown still visible under cancellation +0 pts
Paper Condition (Front) Obscured design and slicing cancel +0 pts
Paper Condition (Back) Visible bleed-through and cut slits +0 pts
? Total Eye Appeal Adjustment –25 pts

? Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Centering (Fine/Very Fine) 78
Soundness Deduction (Fault + Minor Fault + Cut Cancel) –30
Base Grade After Soundness 48
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Heavy + Cut Cancel) –25
Final Grade 23 (Fair/Good – FR/G)

? Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number R172
Issue Type 1898 Documentary Revenue (Battleship Issue)
Condition Used, Never Hinged, No Gum (as issued)
Centering 78 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
Soundness Fault (1 mm tear), Minor Fault (bleed-through), Cut cancel
Perforations Horizontally rouletted; natural imperforate vertical edges
Cancellation Heavy blue cancel + cut cancel (–25 Eye Appeal)
Eye Appeal –25 points
Final Grade 23 (Fair/Good – FR/G)

? Final Verdict:
Despite good centering and rich color, this Scott #R172 stamp is significantly impacted by a cut cancel, heavy blue cancellation, small tear, and cancellation bleed-through. These issues result in a base grade of 48 (G/VG), lowered further by the obscuring cancellation. The final numerical grade is 23 (Fair/Good – FR/G).

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (714)

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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