J30

Hello again,

Still seeking advice as to when and where to send a stamp when wanting to confirm with a certificate the Scott # and grade.

I am not only seeking to confirm for possible resale in the future, but also for comparison. I am reviewing a mass number of stamps, both US & International.

This attached stamp I have identified as a J30, seems to be in decent shape. For this the type of stamp what type of certificate should I get. I am not interested in selling the stamp right away.

It seems to me that part of the learningcurve is being able to establish 85 to a 98.I believe having a baseline in the collection will help establish future purchases and finds. Is this correct or wishful thinking? Thanks for the help again!

David

One of the less expensive options available:

http://www.stampexpertizing.com/

There are only a few organizations that do grading. The PSE (Professional Stamp experts) and the Philatelic Foundation are 2 that I know of. Your J30 would probably grade out around 70 (Wishful thinking) from what I've seen. It was taken from a cut line which decreases the value as well as it being the grade of Fine as it is off center high.

Point Deductions from the Preliminary Grade

Deductions up to 5 points will be made depending on the number, severity and significance for any of the following problems:

Blind perforation(s)
Natural gum bend(s)
Natural gum wrinkle(s)
Natural gum skip(s)
Tiny natural inclusion(s)
Short perforation(s)
Minor perforation crease(s)
Minor toned spot(s)
Tiny thin spot(s)
Tiny tear(s)
Pale or faded color
Paper that is not fresh
Perforated stamps with margins that are smaller than one usually sees
Perforation disc indentations
In the case of used stamps a heavy run-of-the-mill cancel may lower the grade

This looks like J61 to me. The staight edge at bottom will reduce the grade closer to zero than 70.

Thanks again