Im embarking on a mission of writing several successive guides which will guide you through the tough endeavor of purchasing 19th century U.S. stamps. With a few helpful hints even a beginner can begee a savvy buyer of these tough issues.
The first geponent in determining the value of a stamp is centering, which I will concentrate on in this guide. Many if not most okay dealers tend to over-grade their stamps which may confuse potential customers into paying more that what a stamp is worth. Shown below is an honest grading chart which I hope you refer to often. Please remember that the cancellation profusely affects the overall grade. This guide deals with centering only. I will write a follow-up guide dealing with cancels next time.
Average AV - A stamp which is well off-center and the perforations cut into the stamps design. As a general rule, unless scarce, stamps in this grade trade at 10% or less of Scott catalogue value.
Average
Fine F- Stamps that are visibly off center on two sides. The perforations may barely clear the stamps design on one side. Stamps in this grade generally trade at 10-15% of Scott catalogue value.
Fine
Fine-Very fine F/VF - Stamps may be off center to one side or very slightly off center on two sides. Perforations will be well clear of the design. Stamps in this grade usually trade for 20-40% of Scott catalogue value.
Fine-Very fine
Very-Fine VF - Stamps that are well centered with even balanced margins. This is the grade in which Scott catalogue formulates its values.
Very fine
Extra-Fine XF - Stamps that are almost perfectly centered with larger than usual margins. Stamps in this grade trade at a slight premium over catalogue value.
Extra Fine
Superb S - A perfectly centered stamp with extra large margins. A stamp in this grade can trade at several multiples of Scott Catalogue value.
Superb
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