U. S. Scott #183 - Used - Graded Fair

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

183

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

VG & Below

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1879

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation Report: Scott #183 (Used, No Gum) - Very Good Centering with Major Faults

1. Design Overview
Scott #183 is a 2-cent vermilion stamp issued in 1879 under the American Bank Note Company printings. It features George Washington in an oval frame, with "U.S. POSTAGE" at the top and "TWO 2 CENTS" at the bottom. This issue was printed on soft porous paper and has perforation gauge 12.

2. Grading Breakdown
A. Centering Assessment
Centering Grade: Very Good (52)
The perforations touch, appear to touch, or very slightly cut into the frameline of the design.
Measured margins range from approximately 0.1mm to -0.1mm, which qualifies for Very Good (VG) centering.

B. Soundness Evaluation
Faults Present:
Major Fault: Several faulty, clipped, pulled, or short perfs (-33 deduction).
No other significant faults detected beyond the perforation damage.
Since this is a non-damaged stamp, the final grade will not drop below 5.

C. Perforations & Margins
Perforation Condition:
Multiple clipped, short, or pulled perforations.
Perforation damage is significant, warranting a Major Fault classification.

D. Cancellation Classification
The cancellation is a large black radial killer cancel, which heavily obscures the design.
Cancellation Type: Very Heavy Cancel

Impact on Eye Appeal:
The cancellation dominates the stamp, almost entirely obscuring the portrait.
A severe eye appeal deduction (-15 to -20 points) is warranted, but since the lowest grade for a non-damaged stamp is 5, the cancellation deduction will not reduce the grade further.

E. Eye Appeal Adjustment
Color: The vermilion color is still relatively strong.
Impression: The engraving remains somewhat visible, but the cancel significantly affects clarity.
Cancellation Impact: Very heavy cancel (-15 points), but final grade floor is 5.

3. Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Criteria Value
Centering Grade (Very Good) 52
Soundness Deduction (Major Fault: Clipped/Short Perfs) -33
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Very Heavy Cancel) -15
Final Grade (Adjusted to Minimum for Non-Damaged Stamp) 5 (Fair - FR)

4. Final Summary
This Scott #183 (Used, No Gum) stamp has Very Good (52) centering, but several faulty, clipped, or short perfs qualify it for a Major Fault deduction (-33 points). Additionally, the very heavy radial cancel further reduces the grade (-15 points). However, since the lowest grade for a non-damaged stamp is 5, the final grade is adjusted to 5 (Fair - FR).

Final Grade: 5 (Fair - FR)

Condition Summary:
Used, No Gum (NG)
Very Good centering (perfs touching or slightly cutting design)
Major Fault: Several faulty, clipped, or short perfs (-33 points)
Very Heavy Cancellation (-15 points, as it heavily obscures the portrait)
Final Assigned Grade: 5 (Fair - FR), per PSE 2009 Grading Guide

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (1006)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions