Canada #8 Why Is It So Faint?

Hello
Would exposure to light make this stamp so faint?
Considering how faint it is, even though it has 3 generous margins, would it be rated as VG? Or perhaps VG-F?
I think it may be unused, but I certainly stand to be corrected.
Thank you in advance for sharing your experience and expertise.

The most likely reason for fading is that someone tried to remove a manuscript cancel by chemical or other means. I think I see portions of a big X through the stamp. If you check under UV light you might be able to confirm.. If an altered stamp it would not conform to any grading standard, would basically be a filler.

I agree; I think I see a faded "X". A bit of a shame that a rare stamp looks to have been ruined.
Thank you for your reply.

You guys got me thinking..I had to use my GIMP software to identify the object...Sorry about the colour, but had to do it to see the object.

Looks like a hair/fiber on the stamp.

Robert

Robert, I believe the "X" is on the right hand bottom ?

Peter

Peter
It could be one of those "monkey marker" cancels like mine below.

Robert

Oh it was a monkeymarker allright. It was used and pen cancelled with the X. You can clearly see the curved line from the bottom left up towards the right top, through the face just above the ear to the canter of the head into the hair. As well a good possibility the part at lower right as mentioned by others.
Consider that it was over 100 years ago and they would have been using a trusted (fountain pen? Invented in 1827) or dip nib pen with an ink well.

The 1/2 d, and the one cent Decimal shown in thread, were used to pay postage for printed matter. They were often cancelled by pen as a matter of expedience.