Certified And Graded Stamps

I'm in the process of selling my stamp collection. I have 5 US stamps that have been graded and certified recently within the last couple of years by PSAG. They're high value - 4 are graded at 100 and one at 98. Looking for your opinion does it make sense to have them graded by PSE? Cost would be approx. $50+ per stamp. One is unique as PSE doesn't show this one - 235 100 MOGph. They only show one at 100 MNH. For the other four stamps - one only has 4 samples, another at 6 , another at 7 and 14.

Looking for opinions. Thanks.

Where or how are you going to sell them? I suggest you ask this question of an auction firm that sells graded material. You may have just enough value to make a consignment.

If you look on ebay, drbobstamps US Scott #235 Mint LH OG Stamp w/Superb 98 Grade PSE Cert sold for $332.88 over two months ago but more importantly it was the only graded 235 sold in the last 90 days. That compares to over a dozen currently grade examples listed for sale.

Using the above as an example auction realization for a B&M Auction House, you are looking at pocketing less than $200. That means throwing away another $50 does not seem worthwhile.


EDIT: Be aware folks here do not take to kindly to graded stamps in general. Remember than as the comments roll in.

Why would you want to resubmit the 4 stamps graded at 100? There is only downside.

Once a stamp has been graded, regardless of which of the big four I see no difference. John is right there is only downside on the four graded 100. I do not think having those stamps regarded would help your sells. It would only cost you more money. As to the question, which grading company will bring you more money on the back end. I see no difference in what I am willing to pay for a stamp from PSE, PSAG or PF. I first look at the stamp and buy it not the certificate. The certificate is good to have on genuineness and in some cases need. As for centering and perferations I can see them for myself as everyone can.

Note that Siegel's new auction platform BidBaller gives special treatment to PSE graded items. Each PSE graded item includes a table of the PSE population for the grades right there in the auction listing, and also the SMQ value is listed along with the Scott value.

A stamp that is graded by the PF does not get this special treatment. No population report, and only the basic Scott catalog value is listed in the auction catalog for PF graded items, not the SMQ value.

I could not find any PSAG graded (or frankly any PSAG certified) stamps in a quick browse of a recent Siegel catalog. I will assume PSAG items also do not get the extra information that PSE graded items do.

I agree with PPG, ask the target auction house(s) directly for their opinion, including photos of the stamps and/or certificates. If the stamps are hinged, it may not make any difference. Seekers of grade 100 stamps are looking for perfection; there is not as much demand for highly graded hinged stamps as NH. I don't know what a #235 grade 100 lists for but my SSV says a grade 98 hinged is $575 and NH $4150. If the stamp was NH I'd say it would be worth the gamble of getting a PSE certificate (if you're pretty sure it is really a 100 NH) to appease those collectors who have been trained that PSE is the gold standard for grading.

those collectors who have been trained that PSE is the gold standard for grading.
To please parcelpostguy's addendum:
People who think that should have their heads examined.

Thank you all for your input. I was just seeking opinions. The other stamps were all 100 NH. I do have an auctioneer I'm working with out of NY - Cherrystone. I like how they always provide a catalog with pictures for their auctions. Plus I've bought from them and very satisfied. I'm still seeking what stamps they're interested in as I have a pretty vast collection. All US including Air Mail. I think when it's all said and done it'll probably be over 400+. Of which at least 300 will be certified and graded. I'll still have many stamps left to sell - plate blocks, sheets and singles. I've enjoyed collecting and I love stamps that are nicely centered. I've never really cared what the back looked like if they were ph or NH. It's that they're pleasing to the eye. I had many I got certified and graded. Plus when I sold on ebay I wanted to make sure whoever bought my stamps knew what they were getting. I've collected just for my own personal pleasure as I never really shared my collection with anybody. It's now time to sell and I hope others will get as much pleasure from these stamps as I have. Enjoy.

Sounds like a lovely collection and wonderful time that you have had putting it together. If you haven't done so already, you should take some good quality photos or scans of the collection that you can continue to browse through and enjoy after the stamps have moved on to new owners.
Cherrystone is a good choice. Quality over quantity, and they are easy to deal with. Best of luck and come back and visit anytime.

"I could not find any PSAG graded (or frankly any PSAG certified) stamps in a quick browse of a recent Siegel catalog."

For good reason. They are held in less esteem. Also when it comes to grading, they tend to overgrade - a PSAG 95 is likely to be a PSE 90.

It is useful to remember that the SMQ prices are for PSE graded stamps only. As to no listing of the number of graded stamps from The PF or PSAG, neither service provides the information the way PSE does. It would not be possible to garner the information from The PF without looking at each certificate for a particular Scott number. It is not that Siegel chooses not to provide the information for The PF or PSAG, but that it is not easily available. While there are four major services (APEX, PF, PSAG, and PSE) only The PF, PSAG and PSE grade stamps.

Actually, one can get a population report of PF certs for a particular Scott number from their database without having to peruse all the certs for a particular catalog number, but it is not a "clean" way with a nice output like for PSE certs. For example, I just did the following search in the PF cert database. I entered 292 in the Scott catalog number entry box, "greater than or equal to" and "80" in the PF Grade entry boxes, chose "Unused Original Gum" and clicked the Never Hinged box below. The search returned the information for 6 certificates - one was graded 95, one was graded 90, three were graded 85, and one was graded 80. Therefore, I now know that there are 6 Scott 292s with never hinged original gum that have PF certs with grades greater than or equal to 80: 1-95, 1-90, 3-85, and 1-80. Thus PF certificate population numbers can be likewise obtained by Scott catalog number and gum condition. To my knowledge there is no online database for PSAG certs so there is no way to get population numbers for a catalog number for PSAG certs.

Rupp will not deal in anything with a PSAG cert, graded or not. I know why.

Hello, possum - good to have you back.

Why?