Grading Tips
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We are pleased to share some of the techniques that are important when submitting stamps for grading by PSE.
These tips are intended to help educate those who are interested in learning how to select ungraded stamps, that have a good chance of receiving a 'high' grade. There is minimal financial incentive to submit stamps that are likely to grade 'low.'
There are a number of variables that are involved in stamp expertisation and grading, here's two of the more important basics. There are other variables and factors involved, please review the PSE Grading Guide to acheive a comprehensive understanding.
There is a important distinction of difference between PSE and the PF grading systems. The PF does not grade stamps with faults. The PSE grading system produces a net grade, based on all relevant aspects of a stamp, which is useful information for buyers and sellers, in arriving at a fair market value for a given stamp. The NET grade concept is really just a good common sense approach. It removes uncertainty as to value and is a refined classification process that has been very much needed in the stamp marketplace.
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| Grading Tip #1 |
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Here's a basic technique that you can use to
quickly see the 'true' centering of a stamp.
Simply look at it upside down.
The human eye is conditioned to see what
it 'expects' to see, when looking at stamps.
Your eyes expect to see the portrait or design
oriented left to right, top facing up, etc.
When you turn the stamp upside down,
your eyes must 'adjust.' They are not accustomed
to seeing words or designs upside down.
The result is that that you can quickly
and objectively evaluate the centering.
This works for stamps, just as it did for
newspaper proofreaders, who used to read text
backwards to find typographical errors.
EXCLUSIVE: gradedstamps.com is now offering a one-click
180° image flip feature on every sales page. Look for it. Try it out.
gradedstamps.com is the only stamp website that offers this handy tool.
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Grading Tip #2
Evaluate Condition
Is the stamp 100% Sound?
As a standard procedure, a stamp should
be 'dipped' to make sure it is 100% sound.
Most dealers and expertisers use
lighter fluid; specifically Ronsonol.
Ronsonol dries slowly, giving you
time to carefully study the
paper as the fluid evaporates.
[lighter fluid will not harm original gum stamps,
but should only be used in a well-ventilated area]
Most commercial watermark fluid dries
very quickly and it's possible to
miss seeing potential issues.
To 'dip' a stamp, you'll need a pair of
stamp tongs, a watermark 'tray',
good lighting and Ronsonol.
Place the stamp face down in the
watermark tray and squirt just enough
Ronsonol on the stamp, to saturate the stamp.
Carefully study the back of the stamp
by tilting at a slight angle to be
able to clearly see the paper as
the lighter fluid evaporates.
You'll be watching for any white 'lines' to
appear [creases], dark spots or lines, which are
usually indicative of a 'thin' or a 'tear.'
For MINT stamps, if you are expecting a
Never Hinged Certificate, the gum MUST be
PERFECT. To receive a Never Hinged Certificate,
the gum must be original, the stamp must
not have gum skips, heavy natural gum creases
or gum 'schmootzels.'
For USED stamps, the stamp must be
inspected VERY carefully. A very high percentage
of USED stamps are not sound, by virtue of the
fact they are used! They have been 'handled', traveled
on journeys through unknown environmental conditions,
'removed' from the original mail piece, and so on.
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