1938, 12¢ Zachary Taylor, Bright Violet, United States (Scott #817)

This stamp is a constituent of the 1938 Presidential Series, a definitive issue widely recognized by the philatelic community as the "Prexies." This series replaced the Fourth Bureau Issue and features portraits of the first 29 U.S. Presidents. The 12-cent denomination specifically honors the 12th President, Zachary Taylor.

This is a genuine specimen of the standard 1938 issue. Scott #817 is a common variety, with a total printing quantity of approximately 664,524,400. Due to the heavy cancellation and the rightward centering, this specific copy holds standard collector value as a representative filler rather than a premium investment grade.

Technical Specifications:

• Catalog Number: Scott #817.

• Denomination: 12 Cents (12¢).

• Release Date: September 14, 1938.

• Printing Method: Rotary Press.

• Perforation: 11×1021​.

• Color: Bright Violet / Light Violet.

• Subject: Portrait of Zachary Taylor, based on a bust by Christopher Hayes.

Condition Analysis:

• Status: Used. The stamp bears a heavy black ink cancellation (likely a machine wavy-line cancel) that significantly obscures the "ZACHARY TAYLOR" text and the lower portion of the portrait.

• Centering: Fine (F). The design is noticeably shifted toward the right edge. The left margin is significantly wider than the right. While the perforations do not cut into the design frame, the margins are visually unbalanced.

• Reverse Side: The gum is absent, which is expected for a used copy. There is visible ink "soak-through" or residue on the reverse corresponding to the heavy cancellation on the front. No significant thins or structural tears are observed.

• Perforations: Generally intact; however, there is some minor "shagginess" and uneven tips on the left and upper edges, typical of manual separation from sheets in a post office environment.