What Are Your Thoughts On Psa Graded Stamps?

I was looking through my scott catalogue when I found adds about selling encapsulated PSA graded stamps, you know, the sealed plastic cases that people put valuable sports cards in. I just wanted to know if anybody does this and if so in your experience how it affects the value? It just seems very strange to me, isn't a philatelic fondation certificate enough. I was just curious if anybody has purchased these graded stamps in encapsulated plastic or has anybody sold stamps like this. Just share with me any information you know about this method of storing/selling a stamp. Thanks.

Wouldn't touch them with a Ten foot pole. Slabbed Stamps (Encapsulated) were from what I understand started by Coin dealers that jumped on the Stamp band wagon in the 1970's & 1980's and all it's done is give sellers an avenue to charge $25 for a well centered prexie. Stamps can be hinged or placed in Varios / Hagnars or other mounting options. Coins need some bulky mount to protect them and I don't think it's ever taken off as most have gone by the wayside. If I ever came across one (I'd never pay for one) I'd smash the plastic container and remove the stamp.

This sort of silliness never seems to have spread beyond North America, thank goodness. Certainly, I've never heard of encapsulation of stamps from anywhere else, and I'd laugh so hard I'd fall off my chair if it was attempted with any of the countries I collect. Ignore the ads: you'll see many things advertised that you wouldn't want to have anything to do with.

The reason such things are unappealing is because it puts a barrier between you and a collectible. You also end up paying for and accumulating a quantity of matter that has no value.

To me its some bogus cachet to sell "investment" stamps to people who know little about stamps. Oh its encapsulated! It must be rare and valuable.

More importantly, what kind of mounts to you use to stick those silly plastic pillboxes into an album?

I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment, here. They were designed for the investor, not the collector, and are a colossal waste of money.

Brian

I spoke to an absolute expert about this at the show in Columbus last year. He is an expert grader and, well, to put it politely, he kind of raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes in regards to such a practice. Absolute rarities or very expensive stamps might call for a professional appraisal (or grade), but it is unnecessary and very ridiculous in the hobby to have stamps encapsulated.

PSA = GARBAGE
While doing an article on the Slania boxer series I came across a set "encapsulated" with PSA certs graded from 8-10.
The set actually sold for $985. Not bad for a set you can buy for $100 minus the plastic.
http://www.jaysmith.com/Topics/Slan...-Boxers.html
Now these stamps have been forged in GREAT photographic quantities in single colors for the set. The quality is obvious as the fine engraving is not there.



This is not the first time I see PSA plasticized stamps being sold for many time their CV. Seems like they found a great market.Since they just grade them and don't attest to their authenticity, they remain blameless.
Some dupes must be thinking this garbage is some kind of investment that will actually increase in value.
A SCOURGE on the hobby.

Fantastic scam and very sad. In this case, I don't feel sorry for the buyer.

My thoughts: *&@$^#!

Seriously though, they are loved by investors, auction houses, and PSE.

True collectors, not so much.

EDIT: My bad, I thought this thread was about PSE. I didn't realize that PSA graded stamps. Oy.

I agree with the sentiments above. I collect for the fun of it, not to get grey hairs over the markets

Peter

Is this the same PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1937-Gal...AOSwfRdZL1af

$99??? For the record, these cards are around VG-G condition. Catalogue price is £20. I sold a set in excellent condition last week for a fiver, and was very glad to get that.

I take a positive attitude with these. The more the idiots pay for them the less they have to compete in auctions.

Ugh...ly.

DO NOT WANT

As a collector of only foreign stamps, I am grateful this mess is completely avoidable.