Centering

Hereunder a scan of 3 stamps ( the value and type of the stamps have no importance at all).

- Nr 0 ( not shown) has a perfect centering on both directions. Let's give it a grading of 100 %
- Nr 1 (left) is slightly shifted left . Vertically it is OK. The perforations on the left side do not touch the design.
- Nr 2 (middle) is heavily shifted left and slightly up . The perforations on the left side cut a little bit the design.
- Nr 3(right) is heavily shifted right and up. The perforations on the right & down sides cut a little bit the design.

In your opinion, how do you grade these stamps, compared to the Nr 0 ? ( answer in %).
Please give some explanations of your evaluations.

Do not take any other faults into consideration ! We are discussing only about centering.
Thank you for your participation.

60, 50, 40. And that is being kind, especially to the last two.

I would think that you would have to consider the printing methods of the day and also the quality control as well. Some issues are notorious with centering.

I would have to agree with revcollector on his percentages.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Bujutsu ... I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, the printing has nothing to do with the quality. If the stamp is off center, it is off center. Admittedly, some issues like the United States 1920 Pilgrim Tercentenary issue are notorious for poor centering. But that should not be taken into account in determining the grade. In pricing, of course, but not grading.

Personally, I hate grading. I think it has done real harm to the hobby.

Revcollector: I totally agree with you. In a recent auction, I noticed that U.S. stamps graded "100" were selling for many multiples over their catalog values, while VF examples were selling for around 50% of catalog. It's a complete joke in my opinion, but I guess if that is what the market dictates then we are stuck with it.

I would like to take 2 stamps I have recently bought for asking your opinions.

The first one is Scott#66 and you can see that it is shifted to the right. The perforations on the right side touch (but not cut) the design.
Vertically, it is slightly shifted down.

Considering a CV of 3400 USD, what could be the discount ONLY due to the non perfect centering?


The second one ( Scott 122b) is shifted to the right and slightly down.
Same question as above, but the CV is 13 000 USD ( Michel 16 000 EUR).

Thank you

Stamp 1: http://img912.imageshack.us/img912/5185/K2FlP6.png

Stamp 2 : http://img538.imageshack.us/img538/2308/0vz39T.png
NB: For stamp 2. I have add on the picture a red rectangle showing the exact position of the design

It is a pointless exercise only looking at centering.

I don't know the market for these items but would be inclined to give a % of real world value rather than % of catalogue.
You'll notice in Scott that the values are in italics which mean there isn't enough data to accurately price these.

For such items of high value, did they include certificates especially given the vast difference between unused and used.

I'd be more concerned about fakery on these Swiss items than centering (at the moment), though that is not your question.

Edit: Assuming the cancel is not faked on #1, as I recall, the CVs are for 4 3 margin examples and your stamp has 3, so expect some reduction. Margin concerns on 2 sides presumably on #2.

Try this book...




-IBFS