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What sort of criteria should be considered before sending stamps off to be graded? Part of the reason I want a grade is to get a definitive answer on what I have and the value. Gathering information on my own always leads to the same results — my stamp is worth either $15,000 or $.15. That said, are any of these stamps worth the cost of grading?
Of the photos you posted, only this 2 cent stamp looks to be extremely fine centering and perhaps could be worth grading if it’s sound (without faults). All of the other stamps look to be off-center or have visible faults (damage).
Both of these observations should be met before considering grading:
1. Centering: how well is the design of the stamp centered on the paper. Looking at the margins on all four sides, the should be equally distant from the edges of the stamp paper.
2. Soundness: are there any faults such as thins, creases, reperforations, etc. A stamp should be completely sound and without faults to consider grading.
Ryan Joneson
APS #224675
Thank you, this is very helpful. I’ll join your Facebook group and watch auctions to better educate myself on the nuance of “sound” stamps. It seems to fit the description of “mint” except a canceled stamp can be sound but never be mint. Is that a fair way of looking at it?
I went through collection and picked out a few more that look sound-ish to my untrained eye. Am I in the ballpark? The centering isn’t perfect on a few, but if they fell on your desk, would you try to sell them discounted without a grade or toss them?
