How to Grade Stamps
A stamps's grade helps determine the market value of the stamp. Learning how to grade stamps is essential for the buying, selling and collecting of stamps.
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Instructions
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Understand Stamp Grading
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Know that stamp values are determined by both grade and condition. The term grade refers only to the soundness of a stamp, centering of the design on the stamp, and cancellations on the stamp. Any other criteria, such as the state of gum and perforation, are considered part of the stamp's condition.
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Learn the stamp grades and their criteria. Stamp grades (from highest to lowest) include: Gem, Superb, Extremely Fine, Very Fine, Fine-Very Fine, Fine, Good and Fair. Each rating assesses and often combines the relative state of the soundness, centering and cancellations (if any) of a stamp, and then will often adjust for a factor called "eye-appeal" which can often be subjective.
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Determine the Soundness of the Stamp
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Understand that the soundness rating of a stamp is based on the presence (or absence) of faults. According to the reputed stamp expertising service Professional Stamp Experts, faults include: creases, thins, color fading, toning spots or stains, re-perforation, tears and repairs (or alterations)of a stamp.
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Rate the soundness of a stamp as Faultless, Very Minor Fault, Minor Fault, Fault, Major Fault and Damaged. Refer to the Professional Stamp Experts' website for criteria for each category.
Evaluate the Centering
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Notice the placement of the stamp's design and the width of the margins on all four sides. The more balanced the design is within the margins, the higher the rating for the stamp's centering. Perforations cutting into the stamp's design should also be noted. On imperforate stamps, the centering grade is based on margins and width balance.
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Use the ratings of Jumbo, Superb, Extra-Fine, Very Fine, Fine-Very Fine, Fine and Average to grade your stamps' centering.
Assess the Cancellations
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Know that cancellations only appear on stamps in the used condition, which are stamps that have been used and mailed as actual postage. Unused and mint stamps will never have cancellation marks.
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Assess the stamp's cancellation rating as Lightly Canceled if the main design of the stamp is readily visible through the cancel mark, or Heavily Canceled if the cancel mark obscures or covers most of the stamp's design.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are unsure of your stamp's grade, or to confirm the grade of a seemingly valuable stamp, consider having your stamps expertised (professionally examined, graded, and given a certificate of authenticity).
