Let's Be Real: Are The PF And PSE Really Better Than Apes?

Wow this was a heated exchange. Most of the older one's evolved something I'd had said. Or maybe not.

On this issue I'd have to say that the expertising groups out there of any acronym
present a great service to many collectors. But most collectors can't afford the luxary of using those services. Most stamps are not worth enough to expertise.
So just sit back enjoy what you've accumalated, if it fills the spot in my album then that's just fine with me!

Ouch! Easy boys! I would ask here before any expertizing because of the knowledgeable people here and then send it in. No one mention PSAG and there are others out there

The idea that 99% of stamps can be expertized simply by an image online is incorrect. The only things that might be stated with reasonable accuracy from a high quality image are many (but not all) of the various types in stamps like the 1851's or the Washington-Franklins, some reperfs, and most plate varieties. Some OBVIOUS condition issues can be seen, but well done repairs can easily be missed, and probably will be. Shades are impossible to be sure of except in very general terms. I have seen many hundreds of stamps in online auctions that look completely different when examined in person. Stamps must be seen to be properly expertized, especially since images can easily be manipulated.

Just to correct one possible misconception about PSE - you don't have to have them grade your stamps. It's strictly optional. They are my expertizing service of choice, but I don't get my items graded.

Some comments. My grading choice depends on the item as I see strengths and weaknesses of all three main firms.

For items I wish to have scrutinized for condition and grading I will use PSE. PSE is ultra conservative and from my experience more so than the PF with stamp grading. It is not uncommon to note PF grade a stamp as 95 that PSE graded 90. I have never seen the reverse. So for grading I would rather have a strong 90 stamp that could be a 95 (PSE) than a 95 that could really be a 90 (PF). As a disclaimer it is only my experience and I cannot say for certain that PF is biased to assign a higher grade on occasion. On most occasions both firms do agree on a grade.

Now when it comes to esoteric or back of book oddities I will use only the PF to ascertain genuiness. I feel they have a stronger interest in a solid reputation (and a stronger reference library for odd items having been in business a very long time) and so for an odd item I think a good certificate from the PF means more than from any other agency. I have waited 6 months for a cert from PF, but when it comes back genuine (or not) you can respect the outcome. At the same time, another firm may disagree!

When buying items from the APS, I might consider an APES certificate due to the convenience and the fair price. This is good when I just need genuiness guaranteed for a foreign item where I am not too concerned of a fault and/or forgeries are well known.

So for me the answer is it depends on the need. But I don't think there is a hierarchy that is absolute.

Other things to consider: the firms all tend to use the same expertizers so you are paying for a brand in some cases. Also, the age of a certificate can be more important... as with a wine, there are known good and bad vintages for certificates from any firm. This is a harder thing to put a finger on. Lastly, some collectors will send items to two frms seeking agreement from both. Of course stamps with multiple firm certs that agree with each other are highly certain items!

Thanks for asking such a good question!