U. S. Scott #516 - Used - Graded Fair

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

516

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

VG & Below

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1917

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation - Scott #516 (Used, Hinged, No Gum - Single Stamp)

Design Overview
Scott #516 is a 30-cent orange Washington-Franklin issue from the 1917-1919 perf 11 series, printed on unwatermarked paper. The design features an engraved left-facing portrait of Benjamin Franklin, enclosed within a laurel wreath. "U.S. POSTAGE" is inscribed at the top, while the denomination "30 CENTS" appears at the bottom.

This example is used, hinged, and has no gum.

Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Very Good (54)
✔ The stamp exhibits Very Good (54) centering, meaning the perforations actually touch, appear to touch, or very slightly cut into the frameline of the design.
✔ The left and right margins are noticeably uneven, with the perforations approaching the design.
✔ The top and bottom margins are somewhat better, but still fall within the Very Good centering range.

Soundness Evaluation
✔ This stamp exhibits a major fault:
✔ Large thin on the back, which significantly impacts the stamp’s integrity.
✔ a Very Minor Fault: Hinge mark/remnant present.

? Adjusted Soundness Grade: Major Fault (-37 points).
✔ Final Grade Before Eye Appeal Adjustment: 17 (Fair - F).

Perforations & Margins
✔ This is a fully perforated stamp with standard 11-gauge perforations, though one or more perforations show irregularities due to the fault.
✔ The left side has tighter margins, with the perforations very close to the design.

Eye Appeal Evaluation
✔ Color & Impression: The orange color remains fairly strong with no major fading.
✔ Cancellation: The cancel is moderate—clearly visible but not overly dominating the design.
✔ Overall Presentation: The perforation faults and thin reduce visual appeal.

? Eye Appeal Deduction: -5 (Moderate Cancel, no major bonus or penalty).

Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Very Good Centering) 54
Soundness Deduction (Major Fault: Large Thin) -37
Eye Appeal Adjustment (Moderate Cancel -5 pts) -5
Final Numerical Grade 12 (Fair - F)

Final Summary
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 516
Condition Used, Hinged, No Gum
Centering 54 (Very Good - VG)
Soundness Major Fault (-37: Large Thin)
Perforations Perf 11, Some Faults
Eye Appeal -5 (Moderate Cancel, No Major Bonus)
Final Grade 12 (Fair - F)

? Final Verdict:
This used, hinged Scott #516 stamp with no gum receives a Fair (12) final grade, reflecting the large thin that significantly affects its soundness. The centering is very good (54), but the faults and moderate cancellation bring the grade down considerably.

It serves as a space filler but lacks the qualities of a highly collectible specimen.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (1042)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions