Grading Failure By PF

The cancel notwithstanding, this stamp is a marginal 90.

I haven't seen this definition from the PF posted here yet:

Pulled Perforation An instance where paper has been removed below the base line of the perforation holes.

Short Perforation Usually not addressed on a certificate. An instance where paper has been removed down to or very close to the base line of the perforation holes.

PSE gives an example of an "extremely minor fault" as: One shorter perf, about half normal length.

Or a "very minor fault": One shorter to short perf, less than half normal length.





I can't seem to download the latest Grading Guide from PSE, but their 2009 guide says:

A third component, Eye Appeal (color, impression, freshness and cancellation) allows for some adjustment of the preliminary grade to arrive at the final grade.


I don't know if PSE still follows these guidelines but I've had fewer disagreements over PSE grades than PF or other grades.

I agree, a "98 Jumbo" with a heavy/ugly cancel is not worth a premium. And there should be no such thing as a grade 100 with heavy cancel but I'm sure they exist. I've seen some certificates that say "Apparent centering:98. Grade: 80" due to faults or perhaps a heavy cancel or pen cancel.

It is surprising what people do submit for certificates. Do a PF search for US #300 used for example and you'll be amazed at how many dogs of stamps are submitted for certificates. And it's not like they submitted them as some rare variety, it seems a lot of people maybe thought they had some "valuable rare stamps" because of some pictures they saw on ebay.

The problem as I see it ....
The grade on any certificate is a final number which doesn't reveal the internal math to see the baseline centering score they start with, then list the additions and subtractions for the eye appeal, cancel, faults, etc. We often don't know what the examiners thought.
Disclaimer: I do not own any graded stamps.