First, the stamp in question is the re-engraved Scott 209 with a segmented cork cancel. After looking at both scans I feel that the break in the cancel in that area causes the appearance of a scratch or scuff. I can see the heavy black edge of the cancel but I do not see any brown inking that would indicate a plate scratch. The upper end with the very light color that appears almost scuffed is just the absence of color that is in the design itself.
Below is a segmented cork cancel that has a thin segment break resulting in a similar effect.
The stamp below shows the is a dot in oval like yours (see portait oval at 9:00 position) you can see the design features of the area in question.
Posted 02/27/2011 09:12 am
