Nice Mint Stamps Without Gum

Sorsh - could not agree more. The MNH VF-exceptional centering thing has gotten to the point of absurdity. There are many consequences of this - most unfavourable. I'll just mention one. Many thousands of collectors paid good money for mint hinged over the years. I'd guess 75% of stamp holdings - mint and used - were hinged into albums for many, many years. As a result now, that value has dropped due to this snob factor. So the sale, trade and inheritance value of collections has plummeted.

Now as to "every used stamp has a story to tell if on a cover." It also has a story to tell if off paper, is used and cancelled - whether cancel info is visible or not. Those inks can be dated and verified. So they are able to confirm and the age, and perhaps the authenticity of a stamp. That may be a critical factor if you are getting a stamp appraised.