How to Grade the Condition of Stamps
Stamp collecting is a fun, educational hobby that always provides pleasure. And it can, at times, be lucrative. Serious stamp collecting requires a certain amount of knowledge. This knowledge will allow the collector to build a strong stamp collection, not overpay and know the value of the collection. A stamp collector should always determine the grade and condition of the stamps in his or her collection.
Stamp catalogs provide basic guidance on the grade and value of stamps, but all collectors should be aware of stamp varieties (almost always much more valuable than the most common version of a stamp) that in many cases can be detected only through a magnifying glass, watermark detector or perforation gauge. It is therefore critical that collectors examine their stamps with these stamp collecting tools. But that's not the only purpose of a close examination: some stamp faults that seriously detract from the value of stamps can only be seen this way.
Evaluation of condition and stamp grading involves centering, gum condition and cancellations. Centering describes how well the stamp design is located: ideal centering occurs when the design is smack in the middle of the stamp, mid-way between the stamp's perforations on all sides.
Superb stamps feature centering that is as close to perfection as is possible. The margins between the design and perforations are precisely the same in each direction, all the way around the stamp. The color of these stamps should be fresh and bright and of course no faults, even microscopic, should exist.
Extremely Fine stamps are close to perfection, with well-centered designs. The color of these stamps should be fresh and bright and of course no faults, even microscopic, should exist.
Very Fine stamps are slightly less well-centered but still balanced. This is the stamp grade used by many stamp catalogs, including those by Scott, for their stamp values. The color of these stamps should be fresh and bright and of course no faults, even microscopic, should exist.
Fine, Good and Poor stamps feature increasingly more off-center stamp designs. In poorly centered stamps the design there may be no margin on one or more sides, with the design entering into the perforations. No faults should exist in Fine stamps. Stamps may be graded "Good" or "Poor" because of centering, blurred or very heavy cancels, or the presence of a variety of faults.
Showing posts with label grading stamps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grading stamps. Show all posts
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Stamp Grades and Their Importance to Stamp Values
If you're serious about stamp collecting and want to have the best stamp collection that you can, be aware that the most important factor in any stamp's value is its grade.
Stamp grading is determined by a variety of factors, but those factors do not include a stamp's subject matter, rarity or age. To the contrary, a stamp's grade is determined by how its design is centered between its perforations or, if it's an imperforate stamp, its margins. Both horizontal centering and vertical centering are taken into account. Grade also refers to the condition of the stamp's gum (if it's a mint stamp) or how the cancellation of a used stamp affects its design.
Grading stamps takes some experience - looking at a lot of stamps in a variety of different grades. After you've looked at just a few stamps you may be able to distinguish between stamps with a high grade and those with a low grade. Given enough time and experience, you'll begin to be able to tell differences in grading in most stamps.
Stamp grades are somewhat standardized, ranging from superb at the high end, to poor at the low. If you are going to become a serious stamp collector and invest some serious money, it's crucial when buying a stamp to know what grade of a stamp you are getting. The better the grade of stamps in your collection, the better and more valuable your collection will be.
If you're serious about stamp collecting and want to have the best stamp collection that you can, be aware that the most important factor in any stamp's value is its grade.
Stamp grading is determined by a variety of factors, but those factors do not include a stamp's subject matter, rarity or age. To the contrary, a stamp's grade is determined by how its design is centered between its perforations or, if it's an imperforate stamp, its margins. Both horizontal centering and vertical centering are taken into account. Grade also refers to the condition of the stamp's gum (if it's a mint stamp) or how the cancellation of a used stamp affects its design.
Grading stamps takes some experience - looking at a lot of stamps in a variety of different grades. After you've looked at just a few stamps you may be able to distinguish between stamps with a high grade and those with a low grade. Given enough time and experience, you'll begin to be able to tell differences in grading in most stamps.
Stamp grades are somewhat standardized, ranging from superb at the high end, to poor at the low. If you are going to become a serious stamp collector and invest some serious money, it's crucial when buying a stamp to know what grade of a stamp you are getting. The better the grade of stamps in your collection, the better and more valuable your collection will be.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Stamp Centering
Determining a stamp's value has several steps, with several factors affecting the final result. One of these factors that affect a stamp's value is its centering.
Every stamp collector should look at the centering of stamps as a factor in determining the value of his or her stamp collection. Being a judgment call, centering is subjective, and the centering of any given stamp will vary from collector to collector.
Seven centering grades are commonly used with stamps.
Poor. With poor centering, a significant portion of the design of the stamp is lost. For example, perforations running right through the stamp's design result in poor centering.
Average. The design of a stamp of this grade is centered slightly better. The perforations are probably just starting to cut into the design. But be careful, as "average" is a bit of a misnomer - most average stamps (except for some very early, rare classic stamps - are unacceptably centered).
Fine. Your basic stamp - the perforations don't impact the design, but the margins around the design are uneven: the left margin may be much wider than the right margin, or the top margin much taller than the bottom.
Fine/Very Fine. This is the middle ground between fine and very fine centering, and most stamps probably fall into this category. Essentially, the stamp centering isn't bad enough to be considered fine, but isn't good enough to be declared very fine.
Very Fine. A solidly centered stamp with only slight margin issues on one or two sides.
Extremely Fine or Extra-Fine (Superb). If a stamp is extremely fine or superb, it's perfectly centered. As you might imagine, stamps with this type of centering are harder to find, and will cost more too.
Jumbo. When a stamp is perfectly centered and also has extra-large margins, it's a Jumbo. The value of these stamps is also higher.
We hope these stamp grading tips will help you. Remember, grading is subjective, but it's also very important in determining the value of your stamps.
Determining a stamp's value has several steps, with several factors affecting the final result. One of these factors that affect a stamp's value is its centering.
Every stamp collector should look at the centering of stamps as a factor in determining the value of his or her stamp collection. Being a judgment call, centering is subjective, and the centering of any given stamp will vary from collector to collector.
Seven centering grades are commonly used with stamps.
Poor. With poor centering, a significant portion of the design of the stamp is lost. For example, perforations running right through the stamp's design result in poor centering.
Average. The design of a stamp of this grade is centered slightly better. The perforations are probably just starting to cut into the design. But be careful, as "average" is a bit of a misnomer - most average stamps (except for some very early, rare classic stamps - are unacceptably centered).
Fine. Your basic stamp - the perforations don't impact the design, but the margins around the design are uneven: the left margin may be much wider than the right margin, or the top margin much taller than the bottom.
Fine/Very Fine. This is the middle ground between fine and very fine centering, and most stamps probably fall into this category. Essentially, the stamp centering isn't bad enough to be considered fine, but isn't good enough to be declared very fine.
Very Fine. A solidly centered stamp with only slight margin issues on one or two sides.
Extremely Fine or Extra-Fine (Superb). If a stamp is extremely fine or superb, it's perfectly centered. As you might imagine, stamps with this type of centering are harder to find, and will cost more too.
Jumbo. When a stamp is perfectly centered and also has extra-large margins, it's a Jumbo. The value of these stamps is also higher.
We hope these stamp grading tips will help you. Remember, grading is subjective, but it's also very important in determining the value of your stamps.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Grading Stamps - Part III
We've already mentioned that grading stamps is a subjective art, with experts disagreeing on some of the finer points of condition. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults often command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Very Fine and Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
Five different criteria are often used when grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). This post, we'll talk about what makes a "Very Good" stamp.
Very Good:
Gum: Gum is disturbed or partially missing.
Color: Some fading of the stamp's color may be apparent.
Paper: Paper defects such as staining or creases may be present.
Centering: Perforations cut into or touch the design. The frameline is just cut into by the edge of the stamp on one or two sides (this latter pertains to imperforate stamps).
Cancellation: A medium cancel covering more of the design than a stamp that's in Fine cancellation. The cancellation is not necessarily legible, with perhaps an obscured date or postmark location.
We've already mentioned that grading stamps is a subjective art, with experts disagreeing on some of the finer points of condition. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults often command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Very Fine and Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
Five different criteria are often used when grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). This post, we'll talk about what makes a "Very Good" stamp.
Very Good:
Gum: Gum is disturbed or partially missing.
Color: Some fading of the stamp's color may be apparent.
Paper: Paper defects such as staining or creases may be present.
Centering: Perforations cut into or touch the design. The frameline is just cut into by the edge of the stamp on one or two sides (this latter pertains to imperforate stamps).
Cancellation: A medium cancel covering more of the design than a stamp that's in Fine cancellation. The cancellation is not necessarily legible, with perhaps an obscured date or postmark location.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Grading Stamps - Part I
Grading stamps is subjective, and even seasoned experts may disagree on some fine points at times. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Fine and Very Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers assortment of stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
Some people use five different criteria when they are grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). For now, we'll talk about what makes a "Very Fine" stamp.
Very Fine Stamp:
Gum: Early stamps may have part of their original gum or even no gum at all. Later stamps should have complete undisturbed gum with no marks other than hinging if appropriate.
Color: The color of a stamp must appear unfaded - fresh and bright.
Paper: The paper of the stamp must be free of defects (no missing perfs, no thins, no creases).
Centering: The design of the stamp must be well-centered with distinct margins on all four sides - the design must not extend into the stamp's perforations.
Cancellation: A light, clear, well-centered cancellation (although some collectors prefer a light corner cancel which leaves the design of the stamp unobscured). A CDS cancellation (circular datestamp cancellation) is not required for a stamp to be considered Verf Fine, but is preferred by many stamp collectors.
In our next post we'll describe Fine stamps.
Grading stamps is subjective, and even seasoned experts may disagree on some fine points at times. But always keep in mind that the overall quality of a stamp is the most important factor when grading stamps. For example, Extra Fine copies of early stamps that have large margins and no faults command much higher prices than what you will see in a stamp catalogue. On the other hand, attractive Very Fine stamps with thins or corner creases sell for lower prices. For example, The Stamp People's online stamp shop features Fine and Very Fine stamps, but also has a "Bargain Stamps and Markdowns" category that offers assortment of stamps that have been severely reduced in price for this reason.
Some people use five different criteria when they are grading stamps: gum (for mint stamps), color, paper, centering and cancellation (for used stamps). For now, we'll talk about what makes a "Very Fine" stamp.
Very Fine Stamp:
Gum: Early stamps may have part of their original gum or even no gum at all. Later stamps should have complete undisturbed gum with no marks other than hinging if appropriate.
Color: The color of a stamp must appear unfaded - fresh and bright.
Paper: The paper of the stamp must be free of defects (no missing perfs, no thins, no creases).
Centering: The design of the stamp must be well-centered with distinct margins on all four sides - the design must not extend into the stamp's perforations.
Cancellation: A light, clear, well-centered cancellation (although some collectors prefer a light corner cancel which leaves the design of the stamp unobscured). A CDS cancellation (circular datestamp cancellation) is not required for a stamp to be considered Verf Fine, but is preferred by many stamp collectors.
In our next post we'll describe Fine stamps.
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