(Bargain~priced?) US # 500... With Cert... Hmmm....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scott-500-1...em35da1e6924

I'm no expert, but looking at the left edge and comparing
it to the other edges looks like the bottom edge as well...

comparison scans are below main scan...

It's definitely (100% confident) reperforated at left. Cut isn't right, sides aren't parallel, etc. See the included graphical manipulation ("Srail test", LOL) - circles at top, ovals at bottom (i.e. sides not parallel) and gauge a slight mismatch (seen easiest at bottom.) It fails on all counts.

BTW, this stamp also illustrates why even the best perf gauge (something like the Kiusalas) isn't enough. Neither of these problems (slightly non-parallel sides and the slight mismatch in gauge) would be detectable with any perf gauge. However, both are easily detected graphically.

FWIW, I think it's probably also reperforated at top. They missed that on the cert but shouldn't affect value all that much w/ one side already correctly identified as RP.

Do you really think $109 is a bargain price? If I were going to spend 109 dollars, I would add some to it and get a stamp with no problems. Just me.

Just for info. I have a 500 that I paid more than 109 for, but from a reputable dealer. I am confident it has no problems.

rohumpy, agreed. $50-$75 a fair "retail" price for something like that. If listed on ebay "no minimum, no reserve," would likely sell for $35-$45 IMO. $109 is a lot to ask for an altered stamp with Fine centering.

The bottom perforations look bad to me. They seem round when compared to the top perforations. The top/bottom margins seem a bit small, a strong indicator that the stamp was "chopped" to improve centering or to eliminate a small defect. Frequently, stamps with one alteration may have a second and even a third. Why stop at one?

Clark

Junk is rarely a bargain.

There is an old saying in philately with a few variations "Quality remains long after price is forgotten" which teaches us to try to always buy the best quality you can afford. But everyone should collect and 'buy" however they wish. There is room in the hobby for all collecting/buying choices.

The thing is, this cats for like $250 so for $200-250 you should be able to get a nice one with a cert and without issues.

Better to save up and get a good one.

Thanks for taking the 'bait' and chiming in...

I've emailed the owner of the stamp and included
the link to this discussion if he wants to see
what people are saying about his stamp, and if he
would like to defend his position on price...

FYI... I would not personally ever own a stamp
like this... posted it (only) for discussion-sake...
here's the *star* of my collection of 500's... MNH...

What bait?

It's an altered stamp. It's not being sold as anything but an altered stamp.

Would I buy a reperfed stamp for $100 when I could get one that didn't have issues for $200? No.

I also have a very nice 500, but that's besides the point. Regardless of whomever is selling the item and regardless of whether or not it is properly described, buying faulty stamps is generally foolish.

The owner can ask whatever price he/she wants without having to defend anything.

Edit: disi123 when you initially posted this, you said that in your opinion, it did not look like the stamp was reperforated at left (implying it may indeed be a bargain), which prompted srailkb to comment "It's definitely (100% confident) reperforated at left."

When other experts agreed, you completely changed the context of your post, adding other pictures and saying that other edges look bad as well.

You now thank everyone for taking the bait? As billw2 said, what bait?

I like many others come here to learn about stamps - please do not turn this forum into a playground for your games.

Jenny2U....
I had suggested in another topic that posts should NOT be
allowed to be edited.
They should be allowed to be "ADDED TO" below the original
post.
Because another poster did the same thing....
It makes the following posts , after a edit, hard to understand.
Again....my opinion.

kevin I actually have no objection to edits (as I am quite guilty of frequent editing). What I do object to is manipulating the entire contents of the original post to fit later comments.

Normally it would be like this:

Poster A: In my opinion, the cert on this stamp looks wrong and this may be a bargain.

Poster B (known expert): No - the cert is right and the stamp is no bargain.

Poster A: Thank you.

Instead it has turned into some sort of fishing expedition with no rhyme or reason.

Kevin, the edit function is fine as long as it's used for things like correcting typos, I completely agree when it just makes the thread confusing.