PSE Graded Stamps

nr-notrare, I agree with you, I had noticed the toning or staining appearance on the top of the stamp which should make it an inferior stamp.

Mike

PSE generally comes about because of speculators wanting a quick investment. Great example was the boom in collectible comic books. People came in not for the hobby but looking for a quick buck. They thought that by buying into new issues and grading them for a pristine issue the price would climb every year. But what made the older ones so high price was that they were rare to begin with. So in turn the market was flooded by all of the graded ones and the price dropped out as to having really no value.

Kind of sounds familiar as to what are market is doing now. Also what happens when a grading service goes belly up? Not much value in a service that no longer exists. Anyone remember a few certain coin grading outfits that consistently over-graded years ago? Those slabbed coins are not in high regards at all today.

To get back on subject as to PSE be wary of the company. Take a close look at their financial records and one can see where they are headed. They are not making a profit today and have dived deeply into their company reserves to stay afloat. Mainly the speculators are leaving our little niche of stamp collecting now because of lack of returns. Yes, it has happened before in the late 70's early 80's and it started up again but one can see that once again it is fading out.

Not just to beat up on one grading outfit, but as in a whole. In my humble opinion (certifying yes - grading no). If you are actually a collector and not just a speculator by the time you reach the level to collect the high dollar ones you should already have the knowledge to know what grade a stamp is. And not having to pay extra high prices because of a speculator is grading common ones for profit to the unwary.

Well its easy for many of us to remember the speculation in the zepps, I remember dealers asking 8 thousand for a set when there was never a shortage of them..i wonder if anyone got burnt? a couple of years ago at our club I saw a beautiful mnh set change hands for $1,400 between members and they shook hands both satisfied !!