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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
8613 Posts |
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Jim
I'm not sure that collectors of other items use complex numerical or other grading systems, rather that American collectors seem to use such systems, or have had them foisted upon them by certification bodies, dealers etc. As far as I know, numerical grading is not practised in European philately. "Well-centred", "very well-centred" seems to suffice for the position of the design on the piece of paper. I collect cigarette cards. The standard GB grading system is only for the condition of the card - from poor to mint. Mis-cutting etc is outside that grading - and not usually mentioned, in my experience.
Geoff |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1738 Posts |
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Hi Quote:
American collectors seem to use such systems Yes, we are an oddball bunch, sometimes. No question about that:  I'm personally waiting for the day that the numbering scheme for stamps evolves (or devolves) into the tenths place (i.e. 95.5). Or, my favorite future possibility: Never ever hinged. Jim |
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Valued Member
372 Posts |
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As to rgstamps point that eye appeal factors other than centering should count for something, PSE's grading guide actually provides for not only deductions, but grading boosts based on things such as impression Quote:
Even though soundness and centering are the primary components of a stamp's grade, there are several other factors that must be considered such as the color, size, impression and overall "freshness" of the stamp as well as the cancellation on a used stamp. These factors have a definite effect on the market value and hence, the grade of a stamp.
The eye appeal of a used stamp deals primarily with the cancellation. While some collectors specialize in odd, unusual or fancy cancellations, the majority of collectors prefer a lightly cancelled stamp with as much of the original design showing as possible. A heavy, dark cancellation that oblit- erates the design of the stamp is certainly less desirable than a light cancel that affects only a small portion of the stamp.
The final grade of a used stamp may be increased up to 15 points for an extremely light, or pleasing cancellation with a fresh overall look. Used stamps with an obliterating cancellation and a tired look may be reduced in grade up to 25 points and with a pen cancel up to 35 points, though the typical adjustment is less.
The eye appeal of an unused stamp deals with its color, size, freshness and impression. The final grade may be adjusted either up or down based on the visual impact these factors have on the stamp. Particularly impressive color, size, fresh- ness or impression can add up to 10 points to the grade, while unusually dull, small or poorly impressed stamps can lose up to 15 points. Of course there is a lot of subjectivity in grading. I routinely swap out a high grade stamp for a lower grade that I actually like better. Matt |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
742 Posts |
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For those investing in stamps (a poor prospect in my opinion), I can understand and support their need/desire for grading.  I really could not care less about grading. I collect well-centered MNH stamps and plate blocks. I am a great supporter of certification for high-value (SCV >$1000) stamps and plates. Certification establishes proof that a stamp or block is indeed genuine and NH. Plate blocks are harder to alter or fake; singles are much easier. For plate blocks, I am more concerned about proving the "NH" claim than I am about the identification (with the exception of plates like 369 - the bluish paper Lincoln Centenary). For singles, especially those where fakes are notoriously common (i.e. US 385-292 coils, 441-447 coils, 461, and 519) I want the assurance that I have the real deal. Now if only I could be sure that all sellers who claim the plate block is NH include the selvage in that claim.........  |
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| Edited by uboatnut - 09/15/2017 9:22 pm |
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Valued Member
United States
125 Posts |
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But its so costly. I value the experience of the community. I'm only in my first year of Stamp Collecting. As a former Nurse I value experience, and take your words in good or bad. I haven't gotten to the selling step yet, so grading has not been on my list. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
8613 Posts |
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Jim
Actually, I still buy food by the pound, measure in feet and inches and freeze in fahrenheit!
Geoff |
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Valued Member
United States
276 Posts |
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Grading, schmading. If it doesn't look good to me it does not go into my collection. I'm really picky. I see graded stamps all the time that I don't agree with. If I ever go to sell I may change my tune, but for now I have no use for it. Oh, and for first year collectors, don't listen to those of us who say there are good deals our there on ebay, (one of those would be me). This only applies to those of us with decades of experience and study. Even then these "good" deals don't come around every day to say the least. Personally, on more than one occasion I have taken years to find the right stamp at the right price. Yes, there are good deals to be had but they are mostly for the sellers, not the buyer on ebay. (End of rant). |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1034 Posts |
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grading serves a purpose but also as indicated by revcollector above, it is detrimental. Here is the next one to go down the drains due to grading and their dumb standards:  Scott 467. comes with a cert graded by PSE "80" in upcoming Siegel auction. When it sold originally ex Bowman there was no cert grade with it, then subsequently graded "80". Almost as if PSE is begging for the next owner to divide it and resubmit. Everyone making money here (PSE,Siegel, perhaps new owner although some risk to him/her) Major loss here will be to the hobby and those that value this as a gorgeous rare pair (me) showing the error over a single highly graded stamp. To me this has more value as a pair than as a single, but obviously a few deep pocket collectors disagree. In my opinion this pair should either not be allowed to be graded, or the error stamps should be graded separate from the 2c with no value. Probably no good answer here. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
652 Posts |
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I am not sure that the stamps will get that high a grade as two separate stamps. IMO it is a better looking pair. The 2¢ stamp is centered too far to the bottom for any sort of high grade. The 5¢ stamp will grade higher though the right margin appears to be smaller than the left margin. I am not sure that the 5¢ would grade higher than 85 and could well grade 80. No reason to separate the pair.
A bigger problem is some one separating the pair as their album only has room for a single stamp and not the pair. I see a number of plate number singles with the selvedge removed as it did not fit in their album with the plate number.
Collectors with "Deep Pockets" are looking for better centered stamps than this. I am not trying to denigrate your stamps, but "Deep Pocket" collectors are looking for 98 and up, possibly 95, but not an 80 unless it is a very difficult stamp such as a Scott 79. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
924 Posts |
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The album space is a real issue. I've had to add pages to my Scott national album because the page layout did not allow for more than just the stamp. Thus a beautiful plate number single needs it's own page. Another example is why don't the imperf stamps have enough room to mount a pair of stamps?
for this, and many more reasons, I've modified my album a lot. But I keep the stamps as I get them. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1829 Posts |
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My page full of such issues. I think the arrow I wrote made it worse - lol.  |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1034 Posts |
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Wtcrowe:
I think error stamp is a strong 90 possibility for sure. I think 2c is 80 so it was given 80 grade.
You could be right, maybe 85 at worst, but no way is that error stamp only 80 centered.
There are only about 20 stamps graded higher than 90 for this issue.
Someone will break it up and resubmit!!
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
10753 Posts |
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Bill Crowe used to work at the Philatelic Foundation, so his grading eye is very good. I agree with him on this one, at best the error stamp is an 85. Part of the reason so few of these errors have been graded is that many are still in blocks, and blocks don't get graded. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
652 Posts |
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The pair was not given a grade of 80 because the 2¢ stamp is an 80. The person who breaks this pair looking for a grade of 90 for the Scott 467 could well be disappointed. Note how close the upper right corner is to the design and how wide the upper left margin is in comparison. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1034 Posts |
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rlsny, nice page. Not just block of 9 but rest as well. I customized mine to be more descriptive. you have same position Scott 505 as I have, but mine is in block of 15 Our error stamps are from plate position LR18 (or BR18) LR18 can be plated as single as well without block. It has a thickened upper frame line at top left that slopes downward to right. Other error positions are UL74 which can be plated as a single due to slight extension frameline at lower left and finally UL84 which has a cool smudge in "G" of postage. fun to collect these. You may know all this but others may be interested. Great brief (I like brief) article on all this in Kelleher's magazine last month rg  |
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Replies: 164 / Views: 25,151 |
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Posted 09/15/2017 6:29 pm
