U. S. Scott #157 - Used - Graded G/VG

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

157

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1873

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation Report: Scott #157 (Used, Hinged, No Gum) - Dark Cancellation

1. Design Overview
Scott #157 is a 2-cent red brown stamp from the 1873 Continental Bank Note issue, featuring a left-facing portrait of George Washington. The design is enclosed within an elaborate oval frame, with "U.S. POSTAGE" inscribed at the top and "TWO 2 CENTS" at the bottom. This issue was printed on soft porous paper, characteristic of the Continental Bank Note Company printings, and was widely used in postal correspondence.

2. Grading Breakdown
A. Soundness Assessment
Condition: The stamp is used, hinged, and has no gum.
Faults:
Very Minor Faults Present:
Perf tip crease
Hinge mark / hinge remnant
Two or more Very Minor Faults equate to a Minor Fault.
Impact on Grade:
Minor Fault results in a -20 deduction, per the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

B. Centering Evaluation
Centering Grade: Fine/Very Fine (78)
Justification:
The perforation holes are clearly free of the design.
One or two margins are narrow.
The stamp maintains approximately 0.4mm minimum margin, meeting the Fine/Very Fine standard.

C. Perforations & Margins
Perforation Condition:
The perforations are intact and well-defined.
There are no clipped, short, or pulled perfs.
Impact on Grade:
No deductions applied for perforation faults.

D. Cancellation Classification
Type: Dark, heavy cancellation obscuring portions of the design.
Impact on Grade:
The cancellation is dark and covers significant portions of Washington’s portrait.
This negatively affects eye appeal.

E. Eye Appeal Adjustment
Color: The red brown ink appears normal.
Impression: The engraving remains visible, but the dark cancellation obscures details.
Cancellation Impact:
The cancellation is heavy and dark, covering a portion of the stamp’s portrait.
Per PSE guidelines, a heavy cancel warrants a deduction of -10 to -15 points.
Final Adjustment: -10 points for dark/heavy cancellation.

3. Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Criteria Value
Centering Grade (Fine/Very Fine) 78
Soundness Deduction (Minor Fault – Two or Three Very Minor Faults) -20
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Heavy Cancellation Deduction) -10
Final Grade 48 (Good-Very Good - G-VG)

4. Final Summary
This Scott #157 (Used, Hinged, No Gum) stamp has Fine/Very Fine centering (78) and no major faults. Due to two Very Minor Faults (perf tip crease and hinge mark/remnant), it qualifies as a Minor Fault (-20 deduction). The cancellation is dark and heavy, covering part of the portrait, which warranted an eye appeal deduction of -10 points. After all adjustments, the final numerical grade is 48, placing it in the Good-Very Good (G-VG) category, consistent with PSE grading standards.

Final Grade: 48 (Good-Very Good - G-VG) – Used, Hinged, No Gum (NG, OGph) ​

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (557)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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