$5 Columbian - How Would You Grade This One?

I am not a stamp grading expert but I like what I see on this Columbian $5... welcome opinions on grade.

The some of those perfs look odd to me, but I am no expert. Does it have a cert?

It would grade near the lowest at FINE. Stamps that are more than slightly off center to the point that the frame of the design almost touches the perforation holes should be listed a Fine (F). There are 6 grades that are used. Superb, Xtra Fine, Very Fine, Fine-Very-Fine, Fine and Average.

Possible gun disturbance. Since it is a high value stamp the going price will still be nice but not as much as a better stamp. I have seen this stamp in this condition go for around $960 in the past year.

Agree to a point. Scotts does not list a lower grade than Fine but I thought there was also "Good". Scotts lists Fine as "Perfs barely clearing the design" and this one has perfs that clearly cut into the design.

Not sure about the bottom perfs. Look a bit suspect. Looking at the scan of the back, is there a thin under the $5?

Even though the bottom perfs look funky, it's entirely possible that they are genuine. I have been fortunate enough to have seen sheets of some values, and funky perfs do occur occasionally. They would have to be looked at in person.

Scotts does list lower than Fine. Its VG(Very Good) but its actually an AVG.(Average). The perfs aren't bad.

If that were mine,it would be the "finest" stamp in my collection.
Being that about 95% of all collectors don't have a copy of this stamp, it's easy to "arm chair quarterback". If you can afford it, and you like it,who cares what grade someone say's it is. If you are buying to sell, send it to a grader and live with the opinion of said grader.

A few years ago a fellow collector made a comment on my used "Cattle in the Storm" he said "too bad it's a straight edge" I replied, well show me your example.... er um , well he did not have one.

Fred not one person said a bad thing about this stamp. The OP asked for a grade on this stamp. Like it or not it grades low period. That however does not make it a poor or bad stamp. Grading stamps is not a hard process because the standards are the standards it is that simple.

Unfortunately and I don't necessary like this but the grading helps determine the value of a stamp.

So no arm chair quarterbacking just a fair honest opinion on the question he asked, I am certainly not going to call this a great representative of this stamp and call it a Superb.

Personally unless there is suspected re-gumming, thin or something else there would be no added benefit in sending this stamp in for a grade. It certainly would fit in my collection just the way it is if I didn't have a better centered one..

Calling it as it is is not "armchair quarterbacking". It's describing the stamp in philatelically acceptable terms. That is what the original request was for. Liking it is all well and good, but there is a specific value range for this specific stamp in this specific quality. At auction this stamp would probably bring between 20% and 25% of catalog, assuming it is sound. If damaged less; if regummed it would catalog a lot less so the 20% would be much less.

Have you view under a UV light for any repairs ? If you look at the bottom engraving under Columbus there seems to be a thin? , tear or adherence of something to the left of that line . May be dust in the scan ? A grade of good to fine in my opinion . By the same token a nice stamp over a 100 years old ... well preserved considering the age alone .

It also might have a pressed out crease running horizontally just under the numerals through Columbus' forehead.

I would not touch that stamp without a cert. Way too many fakes out there including some old ones that look very much like the real thing.

All, I appreciate the feedback and I have learned much from your responses. I have sent the collection (three full sets) of Columbus stamps to an expert to get opinion on grade, submitted to TPG and/or auction. If we decide to have the stamp graded, I will let you know the results. Thanks again!

What is TPG??? Never heard of them.
Please note....there is a difference in GRADING and EXPERTIZING.
Grading is going to take into account centering, faults, etc....and assign a numerical grade from 5-100.
Expertizing is going to list the faults on the certificate and NOT supply a # grade.
Two different things

Picture of rear of stamp tells me nothing. Need a better description to give an honest grade. Can't tell if it has original gum or thins. Unfortunately, a $5.00 Columbian demands respect in all grades.

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