Redefining "Fine" Centering

I don't know about you, but I'm not too satisfied looking at this stamp.

Let alone pleased...

Jim

http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Scott-R-...AOSwGJlZKw9Z

The problem with a description like that is the seller loses credibility

Unfortunately, this sort of thing has become so commonplace that it's ho-hum, run-of-the-mill stuff. I want to fire off cutting messages to these clueless (or dishonest) sellers, but experience has shown me that it's a total waste of time. So I just grumble to myself and move on.

I'd grade it Good-Very Good (40). That's with adding 10 for the light cancel. Bit shy of Fine (70).

I've seen Catalogs (Harris) say that in older stamps that weren't known to be well centered, the perfs can touch the design in fine stamps. Perhaps that explains the thinking behind the listing. Though a lot of the design is lost here.

For my own personal record keeping, I weigh the centering the same for all issues. Kinda avoids the grade stretching problem.

In addition to the horrible centering, also note that the top has been trimmed significantly, and this stamp is almost certainly a perforated stamp that has been made to look like a more valuable part-perforated variety.

So, in addition to it being off-center, it's also a fake.

Jim

In that pale blue shade it's definitely a fake.

It was altered with a pair of scissors, definitely a fake.