The Value Of "Fine" For Early United States Stamps

Scott Catalog lists the value for stamps with a grade of "very fine". What would be an appropriate discount for a stamp with a grade of "fine". As an example Scott #292 the $1.00 Trans-Mississippian mint hinged with a grade of very fine is valued at about $1000. What might a stamp in the same condition be worth if it was graded fine.

The Scott Specialized Catalogue has a separate section U.S. Specialized By Grade. A Scott #292 Fine unused original gum catalogues $650 in the 2016 edition.

Thanks, I don't have a US Specialized Catalog and didn't know that they had a section for value by grade.

Don't forget that real world value can sometimes be much less than cat value.

same price in the 2018 catalog as well.

unused no gum 375
unused OG 650
Mint NH 1350

I'd also suggest that fine on some of the issues isn't necessarily fine. For example take the 3c 1857, and if you go by the definition of fine the perforation should not touch the design at all. #25 with the entire design clear of the perforations would be a condition Rarity for that stamp. And a #26 is one of the more common of the early issues, but still very difficult to find one when the perfs don't touch any part of the frame.

Bottom line is that this can also lead to pricing guides being confusing.

Hope this is helpful, Ray