Can The 'Expertizers' Get It Wrong?

I purchased this imagining it would grade at least an XF. I sent for a certificate (PSE) and could not imagine it returning a 75J F-VF. What am I missing? Are these not the margins of an XF 80-85J? What could you do?

Centering is not the only factor in assigning a grade. The irregular/inconsistent perfs likely made a difference.

Grading is more than just a centering score. There would be obvious deductions for the short perfs along the upper left side, for starters.

The whole upper left corner is questionable.

@redwoodrandy
Nice list, but: by PSE's own standards, this stamp should never get a grade above 60.....

VF/XF - Almost extremely well-centered -> Base grade 85
Minor faults -> -25 points (perfs missing/pulled)
Gives a PSE grade by their own standards as 60

The again it is PSE - there is a large thread on an Aussie website that shows tons of examples how the "experts" at PSE "grade".

(I leave aside my opinion on PSE as it would cause an instant permaban on this website)

Not saying some of the criticism of PSE isn't warranted, but the owner of the Aussie website is prone to extremes and has a vendetta against PSE.

Lol, yes, say anything against the Sheriff and you get the full brunt of his anger :-)
Can be fun too just to watch if someone goes against his opinion..

You can always contact PSE and ask for "clarification" as to how they came to that grade.

Hi drkoher -- What is the web address of the "Aussie" website with the examples of how the PSE experts grade stamps? Regards // ioagoa

https://www.stampboards.com/
I'll have to search the thread myself (in the Discuss stamps..section)

Hi drkohler --

Thanks for the reference to StampBoards -- as I have never seen that site before.

A quick search indicates that this is likely (???) the most relevant thread relating to PSE grading:

https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=208

Thanks again for the reference to StampBoards.

Regards // ioagoa