US 1890 Grant 5c Chocolate - Assessment Of Flaws

Hi, I do not have many unused stamps, but this is one of them. I am learning about the major effect of flaws on value. Especially for old stamps like 5c Grant, average storage will always lead to flaws. Can anyone give me an assessment how such stamp is judged? Are we talking lots of flaws here, or minor flaws?

Average storage leads to damage. Flaws occur during the printing process.
Damage lowers the value. Flaws can increase the value, especially when rare.

Minor flaws, often, make a stamp more interesting, but do not command much premium.

Part of examining a stamp is seeing the back as well. Very important. That being said I see at least two margin tears on the left side along with some staining. There is at least one dark blackish area on Grant's face that could be a light cancel marking. Also some pulled/blunt perforations. Again, need to see the back.

It depends upon whether you are referring to faults or error/freak/oddity (EFO) flaws.

If faults, then you need to check both sides of the stamp because some flaws may be on front (scuffs, stains, etc.), back (gum problems, thins, stains, etc.) or both (tears, creases, toning, etc.)

For the stamp shown from the front side there are creased perforations, edge tears, and toned perforations, and there may be other flaws.

Different types of faults and severity have varying impact on value reduction.

If you mean EFO flaws, they generally command a premium, but again, it depends on the type of EFO and extremity.

It really depends upon the individual stamp to evaluate these things.

Stamp also appears to be toned.
Don

Hereby the back. In meantime notice I managed to find a nice black background. I'm improving :-)

All of that hinging is problematic, in particular the paper stamp margin pieces. It may come off cleanly but some of it may very well not come off. It is commonly described as "Heavily Hinged" as pictured.

I don't see any gum on this stamp, which is good if you have any plans to get rid of the hinge remnant. If it is entirely without gum already, go ahead and soak it as you would a used stamp and you will be rid of the attached remnants. That said, before you soak make sure that the remnants are not hiding a repair or damage that will be revealed once the hinge is gone.