U. S. Scott #628 - Unused - Graded Fine

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

628

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Unused

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

70 (Fine)

Year of Issue

1926

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #628 (Unused, Hinged – Single Stamp)

Design Overview
Scott #628 is a 5¢ blue commemorative stamp issued in 1926 to honor John Ericsson, the Swedish-American inventor and engineer whose innovations included the design of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor. The stamp features a detailed image of the John Ericsson Memorial in Washington, D.C. The seated figure of Ericsson rests beneath an allegorical statue of Columbia. The upper corners display decorative shields, and the years 1803 and 1889 denote Ericsson’s birth and death.

This stamp is unused, retains its original gum, and has been previously hinged, with both a hinge remnant and light ink transfer visible on the back.

Grading Breakdown
Centering Grade: Fine/Very Fine (78)
The design is well-centered for this issue, with all four margins showing adequate white space and clear separation from the perforations.
The bottom margin is slightly tighter, but still conforms to Fine/Very Fine expectations.
The image appears balanced and clean to the unaided eye.
? Assigned Centering Grade: 78

Soundness Evaluation
✘ A light ink transfer is visible on the back of the stamp.
✔ No tears, thins, creases, or missing perfs.
✔ Hinging is not considered a fault for this issue and is evaluated separately.
The ink offset is minor and does not affect the stamp’s face.
? Soundness Category: Very Minor Fault – Light Ink Transfer
? Soundness Deduction: –6 points
? Adjusted Base Grade: 72

Perforations & Margins
Perforations are clean, full, and uniform around all four edges.
All margins are comfortably outside the design, though slightly tighter at bottom.
No perf tips are shortened or irregular.

Eye Appeal Evaluation
Aspect Assessment
Color & Impression Strong blue tone with crisp line detail and good depth
Gum Original gum with visible hinge remnant; fault not visible from front
Back Appearance Ink offset visible but light and isolated to back
Overall Appearance Clean, centered, and visually striking from the front
Since the fault does not affect the face, and the design is sharp with bold ink, the overall visual impression is strong.
A modest eye appeal bonus is justified for its aesthetic presentation.
? Eye Appeal Adjustment: +2 points

Final Numerical Grade Calculation
Grading Component Score
Base Grade (Centering) 78
Soundness Deduction –6
Subtotal 72
Eye Appeal Adjustment +2
Final Grade 74

Final Summary
Category Evaluation
Scott Number 628
Condition Unused, Hinged (Original Gum)
Centering 78 (Fine/Very Fine – F/VF)
Soundness Very Minor Fault – Light Ink Transfer
Perforations Full, even, and undamaged
Eye Appeal Bright blue, crisp design; no visible flaws from front
Final Grade 74 (Fine – F)

? Final Verdict
This hinged, unused Scott #628 is a strong representation of the 1926 Ericsson commemorative. It features Fine/Very Fine centering, original gum, and bold printing, with only a very minor ink offset on the back that does not affect visual appeal. With a final numerical grade of 74, this stamp grades as Fine (F)—a solid example with collectible value.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (524)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

• Bids
• Sales

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions