What Are Your Thoughts On Encapsulating A Stamp?

Hello group. I've finally purchased a stamp I've always wanted since I was a kid. What are your thoughts about encapsulating a stamp for protection? I will likely keep it in my safe most of the time but when I do bring it out to show someone, I just want to make sure it's safe. Any pros and cons you can share with me?

You are making the assumption that the plastics used for encapsulation are fully reliable for long term storage. I wouldn't make that assumption, and, furthermore, if you change your mind its easy to damage the stamp trying to remove it.

Encapsulation is a coin thing that should never have encroached into stamps.

edit: congrats on your purchase !

Thank you txstamp. I don't know anything about encapsulation for stamps so I was curious what others thought. You make a good point in the event it ever needed to be removed.

Stamps, even those worth just face value should not be encapsulated. Also eventually when the encapsulation is removed, the stamp is at risk of being accidentally damaged. Mount on a small stock card which slips into a BCW rigid 4x6 postcard holder.The type where there is a thick spacer between the sides holding them slightly apart. Then put that in to a nice stock page, single pocket.

You can wave it around but still see the stamp. Plus if an idiot friend tries to look closer you have time to stop him (or her) before they get down to the naked stamp.

Edited to add: If you use a black two sided single pocket page, it is stiffer and you can place a 2001 Pan American Inverts and Buffalo S/S in that other side.

I agree with the others that it should not be done. It will also lower the value of the item if you or your heirs ever go to sell. Auction houses despise encapsulated stamps, and a review of Siegel records will show you the value drop when compared to similar stamps.

Beautiful Stamp. 100% agree. Encapsulation is a gimmick - only one company does it - PSE, and I do not think they push that service much any longer. Should you ever get an encapsulated stamp, don't try to remove it yourself - send it to PSE and ask for them to remove it and send the stamp back to you with a normal certificate. I think they charge something like $15 for that service.

If you put it on a stock card and store it in a safe, be sure to show it off or admire it at least once a year to make sure it is still in good shape.

Thank you everyone. I have no experience with encapsulated stamps and was wondering what everyone's thoughts were. This group never disappoints with sound advice

Agree. No on encapsulation.

Encapsulation has been the rage in modern coins for some time now, but only in the past 5-7 years has encapsulation of ancient and medieval coins become popular. Now, encapsulated coins sell for much more than the same coin not slabbed.

I hate it and hope that the trend never catches on for stamps. Slabbed coins are ugly and hard to store.

I will never be in that level in which I have such a valuable stamp. All I can add is that a very high level dealer (auctioneer) I spoke with a few years ago had no trouble endorsing encapsulation for a customer who had concerns about protecting his asset ... and, he oversaw this being done for his client's Inverted Jenny. He said the process was safe and the encapsulation was not permanent and could be undone at any time.

Failed extraction

https://goscf.com/t/89284

PSE has not done encapsulation since 2021. I don't think anyone else does it either anymore.

As of January 1, 2021 PSE is discontinuing its encapsulation service. Due to a combination of increased minimum supply requirements combined with a currently low demand for encapsulation service it has become cost prohibitive for PSE to continue providing this service at this time. PSE will continue to encapsulate stamps for as long as we have remaining sizes in stock. Orders submitted for encapsulation where current stock has run out will be issued graded certificat

Thank you for all the comments. I feel pretty confident I would not want to do it now.

My excitement appears to be short lived however. My spouse has raked me over the coals for spending so much money on one stamp #128580; The next time someone is trying to convince me they need ANOTHER Birkin bag, well, let's just say it will be met with some protest #129320;

A story old as time..........