1938, 15¢ James Buchanan, Blue Gray, United States (Scott #820)

This stamp is a constituent of the 1938 Presidential Issue, popularly known among collectors as the "Prexies." This definitive series was commissioned to succeed the Fourth Bureau Issue and features portraits of the first 29 U.S. Presidents. The 15-cent denomination honors the 15th President, James Buchanan (term 1857–1861), with the design based on a bust by sculptor Henry Dexter.

This is a genuine specimen of Scott #820. While this specific denomination saw a significant production run of over 350 million copies, it remains a staple of mid-20th-century U.S. postal history. Due to the heavy cancellation and the specific centering, this copy is valued as a standard collector’s filler rather than a high-grade investment piece.

Technical Specifications

• Catalog Number: Scott #820.

• Denomination: 15 Cents (15¢).

• Release Date: October 13, 1938.

• Printing Method: Rotary Press.

• Perforation: 11×10½.

• Color: Blue Gray.

• Subject: Portrait of James Buchanan.

Condition Analysis

• Status: Used. The stamp features a heavy black ink cancellation (likely a duplex or machine cancel) that partially obscures the portrait and the "United States Postage" text.

• Centering: Fine (F). The design is noticeably shifted toward the right and slightly toward the top. The left and bottom margins are significantly wider than the right and top margins. While the perforations do not clear the design frame, the margins are quite unbalanced.

• Reverse Side: The gum is absent, which is expected for a postally used specimen. The paper shows natural signs of aging and minor atmospheric toning, but there are no visible "thins" (paper loss) or tears under current inspection.

• Perforations: Generally intact. There is some minor "shagginess" or unevenness on the left and bottom edges, which is a common characteristic of the 1938 Rotary Press issues when separated via standard post office methods.