Certifying Stamps

What does it mean to have a stamp experitized? Is it a good idea for stamps you have that are in perfect condition? what kind of stamps should get done? How do you get it done? What kind of cost is there? Where do you get it done?

G'Day Sharksfan,I use the expertize to make sure the old stamp is ridgiedidge(authentication)like my Scott # 9,I believe there are that many counterfeit stamps out there that expertize is the only way to go,now the stamps I would have done is most of my early issue at somewhere between $10.00 and $15.00 I know its not cheep.
APS have an expertize service and this is the one I use.

sharksfan, To have a stamp expertised means that the stamp is real/genuine, not forged or otherwised tampered with, very important with overprinted stamps can include grading, cost is usually a percentage of the estimated value.
It could become very expendsive. An expert will mark your stamp with their ID & if found real and a valuable issue it will increase your return on the investment.
I would recomend to check the APS site: www.stamps.org

Mike

PS Did you have something in mind to check? Let's see it!

My own personal standard is one of catalog value. I generally will have items cataloged in excess of $100. expertised. Rather arbitrary, I know, but, that's my thing. I'm generally not willing to pay the fees for anything of lesser value. I have had good luck with the APS service and see it as one of the major benefits of membership. I don't believe the current practice involves actually marking the stamp in a physical manner any longer, though you will find many previously expertised classic issues with expert marks.