Question On Expertizing Scott 243 $3 Columbian

There are multiple reasons to suspect reperforation and subsequently regumming or at least redistribution. Scott 243 has an issue quantity that is within a few hundred of 244 and 245, 27,650 to be exact. The PF did a fascinating article on the number of 245's that have been reperforated and how few straight edged stamps now exist. This holds true for 243 as well. If you look at the dollar value Columbians in general, you find that large margins are not all that common, and the OP's stamp has large margins for the issue. It would be a stamp that calls out to be certified at least once in the past 50 plus years. Add to that the fact that it sold for 1/3 of cv and something does not compute. It also sold for 66% of the NG CV.

So, if this were a solid stamp I would have a certificate for it. Grade 80 MH Scott 243's regularly fetch $800 plus commission at auction.

I hope that all turns out well.

I did not buy this stamp to resell. It will become part of my US commemorative and airmail collection from 1892 to 2000. The collection is all mint stamps, mostly F/VF centering (the Pan-Pacifics are the major exception), lightly hinged or better. I will probably keep this stamp as it has a nice face appearance. It is however likely that I will send (or drop off in person) it to the PF for their opinion, just to know what I have. I will post results when I get them. I have three stamps to go for this collection.

I would love to know why everyone is assuming that this stamp is probably reperforated. It's a popular and therefore valuable stamp, but it is not exactly rare. Anyone who wants one can get one, all it takes is money. There are 95 pages of mint 243's on the PF website. And there are still many which have not been certified for one reason or another. I agree that it's a good idea, but not everyone feels the need.

Dropping the stamp off in NYC at PF house would save you a lot on shipping/insurance fees. Plus, if the seller is open to certification, you should go for it. Despite low px, the perfs look ok to me. Can't tell for sure, but there may be a possible corner crease lower left.

Dropped the 243 off at PF this afternoon. Will post the results when I get them, about 35 business days I think

Follow up as promised. I received the certificate from the Philatelic Foundation earlier this week. The stamp was deemed to be unused worth disturbed original gum. No creasing or reperforation was moted. Because disturbed OG was deemed to be a fault, no grading was given.

A follow up question. The number of Scott 243, 244, and 245 issued are all around 27000 +/- 1000. Why are the catalog prices so different?

Great ending Willwood! I would surely have bet on reperforation.

Have you thought about soaking off the gum and submitting it for a grade as "no gum" It should grade very well based upon centering. Here are current grading values:

That's a big risk and reduces your target market a lot. If regummed, sure, but if it has certified OG, even if disturbed, don't soak it. You risk creasing a perf in the process, which could ding you down to a 70. If fact that lower left perf looks creased already. And those gum-soaked perfs at the left might not soak off, so that would be a negative as well.

Is it just the PF or PSE too that refuses to give a grade if it has disturbed gum? I have some older certificates that say like "apparent centering 98" but it has a short perf so it gets a grade of 80. Do they not do that type of adjustment anymore?

Rodgcam, thank you for the suggestion, but for now this stamp will
become part of my collection. Zebra man, I have looked at the lower left perf under a microscope and I am not sure there is a crease, but something is a bit odd. If I had it to do over again, I would have asked the PF for a specific opinion about that part of the stamp. I thank all for comments and suggestions. -david

That's a great outcome, given you were already comfortable with the disturbed gum. It's a very marketable
stamp. PSE does grade with DOG notation. As for value, Siegel has sold a number of graded 243's with disturbed gum. Without grade, prices realized are $550 plus. So a good purchase, IMO.

Forget to say, PF will also grade. Recent cert 592925 grades a 243 at 85 VF-XF w/ disturbed gum.

If there was a crease, they would have found it and called it. It might just be a natural paper flaw of some kind.

Craig, hmmm, I think I will contact the PF on Monday to see if there was a recent change in their policy.

"Your stamp, your choice."

If it was me, I'd just hold it and be happy with it. The stamp looks really good from the front, and we're no longer arguing about the back.

Mount it and keep going on the hunt. Unless you've been collecting out of order, it doesn't get easier.

My 2d. You don't have to agree.

A little late to the party, but I'm not thinking it quite fair to the seller to have the option to return only if it grades less because of no original gum. If seller takes returns, just send it back. I would expect the seller to examine your concerns before relisting. This seems akin to having your cake and eating it too. Just sayin.