best certification co?

commoncents05

we just picked up a large collection (see "awesome collection" thread) and we think it may be in our best interest to certify some of the stamps to get more out of them through ebay or siegels. PSE? APS? i know little about the companies, i'm a coin guy. which will bring more on the bay or siegels? thanks in advance.

-Paul

covers

The Philatelic Foundation is the most accepted certificate with "serious" (big money) collectors, then PSE. The APS certificates are of little consideration in the auction market. There are more options available to you than just Siegel and ebay. Try Schuyler Rumsey, Harvey Bennett, Suburban Stamp, Harmer-Schau, etc. - each has strengths. For mid-range stuff (under $2,000 each), some of these other companies can afford to make individual lots where the biggest houses can't.

Richard Frajola
www.rfrajola.com

Add-on : let the auction house decide what stamps should get sent in for certification. Will save you a lot of wasted money on the weeding out the fake coils, etc. The cost can be deducted from proceeds.

MSherman

My only comment on Richard's advice would be that if you decide to get your stamps graded, I would look at some auction results. Compare the prices achieved in Siegel's Scarsdale Sale, Shreve's Elite Collection, or even Nutmeg's November Graded sale (which featured PSE stamps) to Bennett's Gorham sale (which featured PF stamps.)

While the PF has been around since 1945, and certainly has a fine reputation, keep in mind that PSE created the modern stamp grading system, PSE publishes the Stamp Market Quarterly, a Population Report, and a Grading Guide, and PSE hosts the Set Registry. While trying not to sound too self serving, if you're interested in selling your stamps for top dollar, I would do a little research into TODAY'S market.

I would agree fully with Richard when he advises you to have a real professional decide what should be sent for certification. Often when large collections are sold intact, while they may contain a number of "catalog rarities," the stamps are often very faulty, and worth only a small fraction of their book value.

KentuckyJ

Look at the current market. PSE is the best answer to your question

KJ