Scott #389 Orangeburg. Anyone Have One?

thank you, Jingi, for your details, that helps! (and I am one step nearer to my own stamp sending) :-)

I saw that you chose PSE, not the PF for the certificate. Did Siegel say anything about that, that it was ok not to choose the PF?

And: It may seem stupid, did you write then only "PSE" on the letter, or did you write "Professional Stamps Experts"? I don't really understand why the submissions to PSE or to the "Philatelic Foundation" need to be sent to such an obvious address, which does attract letter thieves quite much :). So I guess, if I will send it anywhere, I only would write "PSE" or "PF". I already asked about that in another SCF topic, without answers. So if you or anybody looking into this topic now have any comment about this, I will be glad to read it. (yes, it's exaggerated, but I would like to know it though)

They were just happy in Siegel that I have a certificate. They didn't mentioned anything about their preferences. As far as I can remember I just blindly followed instructions on PSE websites regarding to "PSE" vs. "Professional Stamps Experts". Why I choose PSE? Don't remember...

thank you again. Now we will all wait for the auction to begin :).
If you want you could also share your experience about the album, I guess nothing there is certified? And you probably just sent the album via FEDEX to Siegel, after showing some photos?

For just identification I would have gone with a PF certification. This stamp is so well centered I thought you were going with PSE to also get the stamp graded. I see you did not get the stamp graded. Why?

This stamp has great centering, but it also has a hinge thin mentioned in the auction description. Aren't opinions on grading declined for stamps with faults?

Nonetheless, a beauty and should get a very strong realization.

Excellent observation about the hinge thin.
The PF considers a minor thin as a five point deduction in grading according to their site.

The P.S.E. considers a minor thin a fault but will still grade. A fault gets a large deduction. (see chart)
http://psestamp.com/soundnesscentering.chtml

Very interested in what Jingi has found out about grading. Anyone else?

There are not that many graded used copies in circulation. PSE shows less than 10 population and Siegel has only offered one prior. It's nicely centered, with great color. My guess, with the minor hinge thin - $6250.00

"The PF considers a minor thin as a five point deduction in grading according to their site."

The PF will decline to grade any stamp with faults.

Thank you revcollector for the clarification. That is what I always thought but the statement about the minor thin (fault) and a 5 point deduction was confusing.

This thread was a wonderful read. Thanks to all that contributed. Congratulations to Jingi and best wishes on the sale.

Fault on my stamp is real and it is also mentioned in certificate as "Genuine with small hinge thin". It is only one bad thing. That's why I hope I will get at least $6000. Without fault, with such centering and remains of the guide line on the left side I would expect $8-9000.
Why I didn't ask for grading? Because 4 years ago I didn't know how grading works. Grading requires extra money for certification. I just wanted to have real 389. That was just a simple target. Grading was far away from my mind. Nevertheless, stamp come back from PSE in standard stamp foil (black back and transparent front) with label "Genuine Orangeburg coil #389/G90". No clue what G90 should mean. May be virtual grading based only on visual?

The album what I have also in Siegel is here for someone who is interested in: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/acnj7sc4...JWPFena?dl=0
I didn't have to send it to Siegel because I was on honeymoon in USA a week ago. So I just brought it there and made a contract personally :-) Also nice experience...

Jingi, congratulations all around to you!

Peter

That is interesting. Perhaps a note to PSE for clarity?
The PSE considers a "small thin" as a fault (vs a tiny thin as a minor fault).

Under standard PSE measure, a stamp of this superior centering w/ fault would come in at 75/70. But considering the prevalence of poorly centered copies for the Orangeburg, perhaps the PSE thinks this example does merit a 90, despite the fault? Small thin is 1-4mm, tiny thin is 1mm.

Here is PSE combo chart:

The 389 went for $5K

Yep, $5000. Did I expect more? Yes I did. At least $6000 would be perfect. Am I disappointed? I am not. It was so fun. As a nice souvenir I made this cup.

I wish you luck with stamps. Keep looking for rare items. They are out there !!!!!