Grading Columbians Please Help

all opinions on the grade and condition of my $4 and $5 columbians would be greatly appreciated. thank you stampers!

Centering grade for the $4.00 Columbian would be a 70 by PSE standards (Fine) - no opinion as to condition.

Centering grade for the $5.00 Columbian would be a 50 by PSE standards (Very Good) - no opinion as to condition.

Must be the scans because the more I look and compare the more I think the $4 is fake. No offense meant, it's just an opinion on a computer scan. I can't put my finger on it, but the Isabella and Columbus script on the bottom just looks off to me. I don't think the stamp is in good enough condition for a cert. but you should have an experienced dealer/collector look at it.

I am certainly in no position to spar with Bill Crowe, but I would judge the $4 at 50 and the $5 at 30

Based on the centering only, I think it's close to what wtcrowe opined, $4 at F70 and $5 at VG50, since the $4 has margins clearing on all sides, but close on two sides, and the $5 cuts into the design at the bottom.

Based on the scans, condition is not known, but both stamps appear to have a perforation problem at the top. The $4 at center top, slightly to the right perforation appears to be thin or repaired, and the $5 one third to the left has a curious perforation problem. BUT, they may be OK, it's hard to tell.

If NOT sound, they would either not get a grade, or would have the grade lowered by 10-20 points IMHO, which is closer to funcitypapa's opinion.

the back of the $5 looks odd to me

The $5 Columbian is likely to have a reperforated bottom margin ==> no grade. It also appears to have a vertical crease and a light horizontal crease.

The $4 Columbian may have some small faults including discoloration and a scuff in the top margin and some small perforation faults in the bottom margin. Who knows what dipping the stamp in lighter fluid would reveal.

eyeonwall do you think you could give me a more descriptive opinion of the gum condition if you were to look at the original higher resolution scan before reducing the image file size for uploading? anyone else comfortable judging gum condition from scans cfrphoto? orstampman? wtcrowe? funcitypapa? thank you all I really appreciate any help!

Both stamps are regummed.

From the scan of the reverse, the $5.00 stamp appears to have creases (3-5) and several paper repairs. These aren't apparent from the front view, except for the small stains at the bottom, and the dull spot on the lower left edge.

Watermark fluid and long wave UV light would reveal a lot more than speculation.

So I sold the $5 on ebay for $400, less seller fees. Was this a fair price? with a catalogue value above $2000 and the columbians being so highly collectible I could use some reassurance that I did ok. I think so given the apparent regumming and the lack of bottom margin, but still like to hear your opinions on that sale price.

If the grading is lower than 80, it probably does no good. If you want, you can get a cert to prove that they are genuine.

If the buyer is happy the price is ok, but if you didn't disclose the condition - regummed etc, that might mean the buyer thinks he has something better than he does. Most important in my mind is make my sure all condition issues are described in a listing.

i kind of guessed on the gum in my initial description, but since I wasnt sure thats why I got on here and asked about it. once it became clear the gums condition I edited the listing before anyone had made any bid to accurately reflect the actual condition.... ok so I've got a couple more columbians I would love to get some feedback on if you all dont mind.

first the $3

Great centering. Too bad the registry cancel is so heavy. Seems solid based on the scans although I am not sure what is going on at the LL corner.