U. S. Scott #215 - Used - Graded Fair

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

215

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

Fine

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1888

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation - Scott #215 (Used, Never Hinged, No Gum)

Design Overview:
Scott #215, the 1888 4-cent Andrew Jackson Issue, was printed by the American Bank Note Company and features a finely engraved portrait of Andrew Jackson within an ornate oval frame. This issue was printed in carmine and has perforations gauged at 12, which was the standard format for the era.

This particular example has several faulty, clipped, pulled, or short perforations, which classify it under Major Fault Soundness. The stamp has a moderate to heavy black cancellation, which affects eye appeal. It is never hinged and has no gum, which is expected for a used stamp and does not impact grading.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 71 (Fine - F)
✔️ The stamp is off-center, with the perforation holes on one or two sides coming very close to the design.
✔️ Some white space remains visible to the unaided eye (minimum 0.2mm).
✔️ Margins do not touch or cut into the design.
✔️ Meets the PSE grading standard for Fine centering (71).

Soundness: Major Fault (-45 deduction)
? Several faulty, clipped, pulled, or short perforations—qualifies as a Major Fault under PSE grading.
? Never Hinged—no deduction applied.
? No gum—expected for a used stamp, so not a grading factor.
? According to PSE standards, a Major Fault results in a -45 point deduction.

Perforations & Margins:
✔️ Perforation Gauge: 12, as expected for this issue.
❌ Faulty perfs—multiple short, clipped, and pulled perforations.
❌ Uneven margins, with perforations coming close to the design.

Cancellation Classification:
Type: Moderate to heavy black cancellation, covering part of Jackson’s portrait.
Density: The cancel is dark but does not completely obscure the portrait.
Impact: The cancellation lowers visual appeal but does not obliterate the design.
Classification: Moderate to Heavy Cancel under PSE guidelines, requiring an eye appeal deduction.

Eye Appeal Adjustment: (-10 deduction)
? Color & Impression: The carmine color is strong, and the print quality is well-preserved.
? Paper Condition: The faulty perforations and cancel slightly detract from freshness.
? Cancellation Impact: The moderate to heavy cancel partially obscures the design, warranting a deduction.
? Final Eye Appeal Adjustment: -10 points.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Fine Centering) 71
Soundness Deduction (Major Fault: Clipped, pulled, short perfs) -45
Eye Appeal Deduction (Moderate to Heavy Cancel) -10
Final Numerical Grade 16 (Fair, FR)

Final Summary:
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 215
Condition Used, Never Hinged, No Gum
Centering 71 (Fine - F)
Soundness Major Fault (Faulty perfs, clipped perfs)
Perforations Faulty, multiple short and clipped perfs
Cancellation Moderate to Heavy Cancel (-10 Eye Appeal Points)
Eye Appeal -10 deduction due to cancellation partially obscuring design
Final Grade 16 (Fair, FR)

? Final Verdict:
This Scott #215 stamp has Fine (71) centering but is severely impacted by major faults, including several faulty and clipped perforations. Additionally, the moderate to heavy cancel significantly reduces clarity, warranting an eye appeal deduction.

Final Grade: 16 (Fair, FR). This places it in poor condition, making it a placeholder copy rather than a high-quality collectible.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (1009)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions