Stamp collecting has been a hobby for many generations. Whether you inherited a collection, casually collected stamps over the years, or are just about to begin collecting a commonly asked question is “What are my stamps worth?”
Whether you want to buy or sell stamps it’s important to understand how to properly describe the condition of stamps and how to properly grade stamps. This is a task each collector must learn to do.
It will take some practice and most likely some mistakes but over time you should be able look at a stamp and know the condition as well as give it a fairly accurate grade. Of course an exact grade can be given with close examination. This skill will save you time and money!
If you’ve ever had a look at a stamp catalog you’ll know that they generally have a section that outlines the stamps grade and its value. Usually the catalogue prices are based on one specific grade with the understanding by collectors that premium grades will sell for more and poorer grades for less.
Generally web sites follow this same format. The difference with a web site is that they will often scan all of the stamps they have in various grades for your viewing. The big problem is that scans may not always show faults so it’s important that the site also provide a detailed description as to the stamps condition.
The grading of stamps is fairly standard around the world which makes is relatively easy to buy additions for your collection from any part of the world or sell stamps to any part of the world. The big question that remains is do your stamps make the grade?
Grading is quite a technical process. It describes how well the stamps design is centered both vertically and horizontally between the perforations, the condition of the gum on mint stamps, and the effect of the cancellation stamp on used stamps. Stamps are graded like a school student earning marks such as superb or poor with an attached description that further outlines their condition.
Condition describes the physical characteristics of the stamp relating to the ink, design centering, and the paper. A description should be concise and provide the detailing that a standard grade does not supply. Whether you are buying or selling stamps you should always have a grade and a description available.
Superb defines a stamp that is perfect in every respect and it actually a very rare grade to see.
Extremely Fine or Extra Fine defines a stamp that is near perfect with a well centered design, cancel marks are neat and light, mint stamps have OG. The colors are rich and bright and there are no visible faults on the stamp.
Very Fine defines a stamp that is balanced and centered though not necessarily perfectly even. The imperforates have three normal margins, cancel marks are neat and light, mint stamps have OG. The colors are rich and bright and there are no visible faults on the stamp. This is the common grade for catalogue stamps. As you can see the difference between extra fine and very fine are nominal.
Fine defines a stamp where the design is slightly off center but is clear of the perfs with two normal margins. The cancel does not detract from the stamps design and mint stamps have LH or HH depending on when they were issued. There are no visible faults.
Good or average defines a stamp as having an off center design and the perfs may cut the design. The cancel is heavy and obscures the stamps design. There are no tears or thin spots. This is the lowest collectable stamp grade. Anything less is not considered collectible.
Poor defines a stamp that is not suited for collecting unless in the odd occasion when it is a very rare stamp. It may be off center, have thin spots or tears, and the cancel may be thick and smeared.
Jude Minar
