Stamp Expertising Questions

I've read a number of posts on SCF where stamps have been uncovered that are thought to be of more than just modest value and the suggestion was made to get them expertised to be absolutely certain of their authenticity (and to attempt to get top dollar for the stamp if it were put up for sale.)

Just wondering if there have been incidents where the expertising has been called into question.

If all parties are honest, but a stamp expertising service made an honest mistake in identifying a stamp incorrectly, is there some insurance against such errors?

If the parties may be dishonest, and someone counterfeits a stamp, or claims it to be a special variety that cannot be identified from visual inspection, what is stop them from counterfeiting an expertising certificate to go along with the bogus stamp?

In fact, what is to stop anyone from putting out a "shingle" saying they are a stamp expertising service when they may not have a clue as to what they are doing?

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that if someone were to purchase a high priced "rare" stamp with a expertising certificate, is that the final word or is there a means in which a potential buyer checks that the expertising as being truly authentic?

Maybe it's just that there are a select few legitimate expertising services whose reputation is above reproach, but I've not heard much about incidents where errors have been found, whether intentional or not, and just wonder if it's a common or rare occurrence.

all the expertising services will back up their opinions. with APS there is a limit, I think 10,000. but they all stand behind their claim, if they make a mistake, they will give you your money back. You need to read each of the sites to see what the policy is specifically.

Yes, doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Historically, it has happened more than a few times that: different reputable expertizing services yielded different opinions on the same stamp, expertizing services have actually rescinded a previously issued certificate, and expertizing services have mis-certified a stamp but the certificate was neither rescinded nor changed.

Before the turn of the century, there was a major dispute among several heavy hitters (collectors and dealers) in the US regarding different opinions provided by APS and PF on the same item. It got to the extent that some dealers refused to accept one of the certificates issuers when it came to returns! It was rather interesting during that time period to sit and examine some of the different opinions on the competing certificates!

More recently, there was a major uproar regarding the "certification" over in the UK of a 2nd find of the infamous British Guiana 1c magenta. So, it still happens! And of course, is the jury still out on the current GB penny red plate #77 find?



Guess what? It happens. I wrote in another thread, on a major purchase, you should confirm the authenticity of the certificate with the issuer if the certificate plays the pivotal role in your decision to purchase. There ARE fake certificates -- trust me, they are easier to fake than the stamp. Usually, on these fake certificates, it's for an altered stamp in which the change is not at all obvious. So an outwardly appearing good stamp, along with what appears to be a certificate from a reputable expert...



Yeah that happens too. The number of reputable professional experts is finite, and well-known in philatelic circles. It takes a lot of time to build up a solid reputation, especially since nobody's perfect. If you run into an expertizer/certificate you've never heard of, ask around.

There was a very recent discussion elsewhere about the sudden appearance of "Sievert" certificates from Germany, especially since some of the certificates were glaringly incorrect. After some inquiries, it turns out the stamp seller and certificate maker were the same business. It was their way of "assuring" their buyers. Never mind the errors. The certificate is junk, merely a sales tactic.

One thing that was not addressed is Expert marks. This is when the "Expert" Signs or otherwise marks the stamp. This process has fallen out of favor for a number of reasons. First it is marking the stamp. 2nd you need to know what each position means. lastly is that many have been forged! I have noticed a great number of them on ebay over the last year or 2. I would NOT recommend this as a decision maker when looking to make a purchase.

I've been watching some antique road show, and auction house shows, they brought up some interesting points for helping to validate an items history.

Notarized statements from owners,I wonder if getting a notarized statement from your grandfather or life time owner. I wonder if this could help with a stamp validating process, anyone ever do this prior to sending one... or am I completely off base since I've never sent one off I don't really know what is involved or required.

Thanks for all of these replies. It has been a very interesting topic (to me anyway). Personally, I have never had the need to have stamps expertised, but had always wondered about some of these questions. I guess the best course of action is to choose your expertiser carefully.

I know there was a recent post about collectors hating "slabbed stamps" but short of a matching serial number on a certificate and a "slabbed stamp", it seems to me there is potential that someone could get hurt (financially) by over-buying a stamp, even with a certificate.

I'm assuming that if there were a dispute over an expertising certificate on a stamp, the original purchaser of the certificate would be the only one able to be compensated for a mistake. So if the expertised stamp changes hands through subsequent sales, there would be no recourse. Like everything else, I guess it comes down to "Buyer Beware!".

khj, do you know if there has been a decision on the GB plate 77? I plowed through the entire thread on the Stampboards forum a while back. At the last reading of the latest posts there was the statement that the owner of the cover with the supposed plate 77 stamps had decided not to post anymore on the thread.

wt1
About stamps expertizing you might want to check this website.

http://www.filatelia.fi/experts/sitemap.html

What a great topic. I do have a Question hopefully I can get directed in the right direction.I need to get some stamps Certified. To make sure they are Real. What company should I use that does a Great job and is accepted thu out the Stamp community????

jodie1965, what are they? That will have an impact on any recommendation...

There was a quote attributed to Robson Lowe in the last issue of Stamps magazine to the effect of, if you need to rely on a certificate when buying something, you should be collecting something else.

I don't subscribe to that position; I just thought it was an interesting statement. Easy for him to say...

As CJD said it would depend on what they are. You might want to post some of them here 1st. Their is a lot of knowledge on this forum. We might be able to save you from wasting some money on obvious forgeries.