Some are hard to judge by me with such large scans. Looks like some nice ones, don't know if they'll call the very slight oxidization on the 4c or not(unless it's just the pic. Will look again later when it's not so early : ) I'm not such a great judge on the earlier issues especially the 7. 8, 9's etc. Looks like surely some jumbo calls though.
I wondered about the oxidation on the 4 cent Transmississippi to. Before I sent it in, I actually brushed the face very lightly with a Q-tip that had been soaked in hydrogen peroxide and pressed dry, so that it wouldn't soak through and disturb the gum on the other side. I'd seen a similar technique described by William Litle in the SMQ a few issues back (used to remove a stray gum blob on the front of a stamp) and thought I'd give it a try. To my eye, it seemed to reverse some of the oxidation.
What do you think of the 3 cent purple small bank note? I'm worried about that top left corner perf.
Hydrogen peroxide is a good thing to have around for those brown and orange stamps that tend to oxidize, I've used it many times to save from having it mentioned on a cert or from downgrading a graded stamp. I have never risked it on a mint stamp but it looks like it turned out well!
The 3 cent you have threw me for a loop when I first saw it as I have the exact same stamp (only used) with near identical centering with the exact same issue! I bought it several years ago but never sent it in because it has a shortish perf on the same top left corner as yours! It probably will figure in the grading a bit but it's not super severe. I'd say you'll get a 90, 85 at worst. Had mine been a NH example I might have sent it in. I did send in a mint hinged example of a 221 I scored a 95J with , it was humongous.
Yea, I've dunked quite a few used orange stamps in hydrogen peroxide - I know the scott 287 and the 6 cent Washington-Franklins are prone to oxidation. I'd never tried it though on a mint stamp, and thought about it a lot before actually trying it. It worked great though. As long as I pressed the Q-tip so it was nearly dry, and was patient in wiping it over the face of the stamp a bunch of times, it seemed to make a difference. The back of the stamp was absolutely dry and unchanged.
I have some used yellow stamps that have oxidized inside the stock cards PSE uses just since I've purchased them , keep an eye out...
Oh yeah and here is my latest submission:
1 1 01204179 100577 297 1901 5c US 2 1 01204180 100590 306 1902 8c US 3 1 01204181 100722 391 1910 2c coil US 4 1 01204182 100722 391 1910 2c coil US 5 1 01204183 100722 391 1910 2c coil US 6 1 01204184 100726 395 1912 4c coil US 7 1 01204185 100748 410 1912 1c coil US 8 1 01204186 100833 483 1917 3c type I, imperf US 9 1 01204187 100924 529 1918 3c type III US 10 1 01204188 100930 531 1919 1c imperf US 11 1 01204189 100933 534 1918 2c imperf, type Va US
Not expecting super high grades , but hopefully some 90's and 95's. One of the 391's is a used example I hope to hit a 95 on. The other two are mint , one NH one OG, I think the OG will grade 90-95 and hoping for 85-90 on the NH. The 529 is easily a 98J IMO but has the very faintest trace of toning so maybe a 90J(It's the largest I have ever seen on this issue, I broke it from a NH plate block) The 306 I hope for a 90J on, it was graded 90 over 4 years ago with a not from Litle saying,"98 down to 90 for cancel." Actually the cancel is not THAT bad, and on the plus side Martha Washington's face is mostly untouched from the cancel. I'm hoping with PSE's refinements in grading I might squeak a "J" onto the grade if not a 95. It's easily in the top 2 or 3 of graded 306's (mint or used) I've seen in regard to centering. The 410 was from a previously graded MNH line pair (85) that I bought fairly cheaply. The line itself does not appear on the perfs of the top stamp which is VERY well centered, I hoping for 98-100 on this example(check out the top stamp and tell me what you think the cert # is 01193201 which can be viewed her through the cert verification function) The 297 is decent and with a neat unobtrusive cancel, realistically I think it's likely to be graded 90. The 483 will hopefully get a 98, the cancel is a bit heavy but neat, it has 100-100J centering but hope for at least a 98. The 531 and 534 anywhere between 95 and 100. Link to 410 cert
Hi Zac. Good luck with the latest submission. I'm sure you're bound to get back some great ones. I'm looking forward to my submission being done any day now. Monday June 8th will mark 4 weeks since it was received at PSE.
I wonder if their submissions are any significant % higher with the small discount(30% would be better) if so then getting submissions back might be slower. The priority thing is great but the added cost is prohibitive for me.
Still nothing yet. I called them again, and now they're saying next week. I'm on vacation this coming week anyway, so maybe the grades will be available when I get back Thursday night. We're going to Mt. Rushmore! I've never been there before, and should be fun. Gotta take "North by Northwest" to watch on the drive
As far as timing, I do think this submission is a bit slower. My last submission was received April 3 and sent out about April 29, so about 4 weeks. That's been more or less about average for the 10-15 last submissions I've done over the last 1 1/2 to 2 years or so. We're going on 5 weeks with this one already.
I talked to them again today, and they told me it would ship on Monday. That will be 6 weeks to the day. I believe them this time, because they've modified the order listing so that I can see that one of the scott 351's is actually a scott 378:
Order #20303242 / Submission #1094490 Line # Item # Cert # Spec # Grade Scott # Issued Denom. Variety Country 1 1 01202416 100066 7 1851 1c type II US 2 1 01202417 100070 8A 1851 1c type IIIa US 3 1 01202418 100124 37 1860 24c US 4 1 01202419 100259 116 1869 10c US 5 1 01202420 100260 117 1869 12c US 6 1 01202421 100311 153 1870 24c US 7 1 01202422 100940 537 1919 3c US 8 1 01202423 100562 287 1898 4c US 9 1 01202424 100571 294 1901 1c US 10 1 01202425 100573 295 1901 2c US 11 1 01202426 100577 297 1901 5c US 12 1 01202427 100638 329 1907 2c US 13 1 01202428 100708 378 1911 5c US 14 1 01202429 100675 351 1909 5c coil US 15 1 01202430 100775 429 1914 6c US 16 1 01202431 127672 221 1890 3c US 17 1 01202432 101807 C13 1930 65c US 18 1 01202433 103143 Q11 1913 75c US 19 1 01202434 100425 223 1890 5c US
I once sent off for a submission kit to PSE, and never heard back. Should I try again? I have a used Scott #1 I'd like to have graded/encapsulated, but would hate for it to get "lost in the mail."
You can go to the top of this page and on the right hand side is a link to PSE. Use the link and on the first page is an option to print your own submission form. I use registered mail when I send things to PSE. Has not been a problem in the past.
If PSE holds to their 25 business day, I should see something at the end of the week. From Matt's experience it will probably be next week. The suspense is killing me.
Order #20303242 / Submission #1094490 Line # Item # Cert # Spec # Grade Scott # Issued Denom. Variety Country 1 1 01202416 100066 NG 0, Used 7 1851 1c type II US 2 1 01202417 100070 VF-XF 85, Used 8A 1851 1c type IIIa US 3 1 01202418 100124 F 70, Used 37 1860 24c US 4 1 01202419 100259 XF-Sup 95, Used 116 1869 10c US 5 1 01202420 100260 XF 90J, Used 117 1869 12c US 6 1 01202421 100311 VF 80, Used 153 1870 24c US 7 1 01202422 100940 VF-XF 85, Mint OGnh 537 1919 3c US 8 1 01202423 100562 XF-Sup 95, Mint OGnh 287 1898 4c US 9 1 01202424 100571 F 70, Used 294 1901 1c US 10 1 01202425 100573 Superb 98, Mint OGnh 295 1901 2c US 11 1 01202426 100577 F-VF 75, Mint OGnh 297 1901 5c US 12 1 01202427 100638 XF 90, Used 329 1907 2c US 13 1 01202428 100708 NG 0, Used 378 1911 5c US 14 1 01202429 100675 XF 90J, Mint OGnh 351 1909 5c coil US 15 1 01202430 100775 NG 0, Mint OGnh 429 1914 6c US 16 1 01202431 127672 XF 90, Mint OGnh 221 1890 3c US 17 1 01202432 101807 XF 90, Mint OGnh C13 1930 65c US 18 1 01202433 103143 VF-XF 85, Mint OGnh Q11 1913 75c US 19 1 01202434 100425 VF 80, Used 223 1890 5c US
Total Items: 19
Date Received: 5/11/2009
Date Shipped: 6/22/2009
Order Status: OK
You can type any of the individual certificate numbers into the cert verification feature and see details. Overall, I'm quite pleased, particularly with the scott 8A used 85, the 287 OGnh 95 and the 295 OGnh 98. My favorite that I'll be keeping for my own collection is probably the 329. Not worth a whole lot, but sure pretty to look at!
A few of them have problems, but the bulk of these can be returned, and I'll even get certification costs reimbursed on almost all. Many of the used, and all the mint stamps will go off to Steve Crippe in the next couple weeks. Is anyone interested in any of these? A select few of the used ones will go into my own collection and set registries.
I have one more batch I'm getting ready to send in within the next week, before the promotional pricing ends. This one won't have many pricey items in it though. It's nearly all relatively common stamps I've picked up that appear to have uncommon quality.
You can see the difference that the hydrogen peroxide made on the 287 that graded OGnh 95, described earlier in the thread. Here's a side by side before and after. The colors don't match exactly because one scan (before) is from the auction catalog listing, and the other scan (after) is from PSE's certificate scan. Still, you can see that the oxidation along the top of the stamp seems to be gone.
Well it took them 30 business days on your order. I guess I should not expect anything until about July 2.
It is nice to see some good grades on some of the tougher 19th century. I am not much on anything after 1890 but 95s and 98s are great no matter what century they are from.
Congrats Matt you did good got some nice 95's and a 98 ,see you added a Harding Memorial set to the registry too. I hope mine come back in a week or so too (rec. June 2) I need to go over to the USD # sets and add some more stamps, maybe Nick Kirke won't go over there for a while and I can have some #1 sets for a brief period (FAT CHANCE). Jeez I wish the economy wasn't so bad it's tough to afford stamps you need(already graded) but I guess it's that much more fun to look for raw example. I hope I get good grade on my 531 and 535 as that will only leave 2 to complete the set. Oh I won a nice block on ebay, will see if it is sound when received....maybe a link later since I can never post pics....here
I bought 8 graded stamps (all common issues like the Harding issue) from the recent Regency Superior auction at $66 each including buyer's premium. They were all graded 95, 95J or 98. It seems that the weak economy is ALSO depressing buying prices. At those prices, I'm tempted to go ahead and buy, as it's not much different than buying a nice stamp and then paying to have it certified. I've always liked the suspense of seeing how it will grade though . . .
I recently bid modest amounts on several fairly common stamps with good grades and won NONE.
I am staying away from auctions in this economy, many of the prices are unrealistic, + the cha-ching $$$ overblown buyers premium, and you can really end up overpaying. And selling through these auction houses and giving away as much as 30%! I'd rather take an item as a loss and leave it in my collection! It would be nice if there were more collectors with doubles willing to trade...
Anyway it's so much more fun to look for stamps on ones own and have them graded (and spend realistic $)
Thanks all, I figured I may just need to print and send my own submission -- registered mail of course too. Shouldn't be a big deal since I have only a very few stamps worth submitting. Thanks!
I just got off the phone and the order is with the final expertizer and should be out by Friday. That will make it 31 business days from receipt. I really have no complaint because it means they are busier than normal. Consider the alternative, PF at about 45+days and more on the plus side. I am still very anxious.
100577 F-VF 75, Used 297 1901 5c US 100590 XF 90J, Used 306 1902 8c US 100722 Superb 98, Used 391 1910 2c coil US 100722 Superb 98J, Mint OGh 391 1910 2c coil US 100722 XF 90, Mint OGnh 391 1910 2c coil US 100726 XF-Sup 95, Used 395 1912 4c coil US 100748 Superb 98, Mint OGnh 410 1912 1c coil US 100833 Superb 98, Used 483 1917 3c type I, imperf US 100927 XF-Sup 95J, Mint OGnh 530 1918 3c type IV US 100930 Superb 98, Used 531 1919 1c imperf US 100933 Superb 98, Used 534 1918 2c imperf, type Va US
Total Items: 11
Oh and a 535 imperf that I had resubmitted on a separate form(because it was too large for a capsule and too large to be graded originally) only received a 95. It HAD to be like .00005 mm off to not get a 98 LOL. I never send imperfs in if I think they will grade lower than 98 since they don't even give "J" designations except for 100J anymore. At least it didn't cost me anything to resubmit.
The only bad grade is the top stamp which I had not checked, it was purchased from a reliable dealer, he must of just missed something on this, should have been a 90.
Overall better than I expected lots of 98's , knew I should have taken the hinge remnant off the 391 OGh that graded 98J so I coulda got a "PH" instead of an "H", just got into a rush to get the submission out.
I sent an email to Camille. She wrote back that the order is with the second expert and it should be finalized next week. What puzzles me is that EDUEKU's order was received the 2nd of June and is complete. Mine was received May 21st. For the life of me I can't see anything in my order that would require careful examination, 2 65s, 2 158s, 6 184s, and 1 462. They are straight forward stamps. I would think the coils and watermarked stamps would have been more difficult. I guess the only thing I can hope for is that they are closely scrutinizing some possible 100 grades.
By the way, those are some nice grades and I am sure you are proud of them.
I don't know if I find the super high grades I'm just super picky about what I send in. I've returned about 80% of my online purchases (in the past month)because of undisclosed faults, even the stuff I keep many times decide they are not worth grading but go in my regular album collection.
<< <i>I don't know if I find the super high grades I'm just super picky about what I send in. I've returned about 80% of my online purchases (in the past month)because of undisclosed faults. >>
I'm right with you on that one. I'm sure I return at least half of what I buy online for the same reason. I kind of feel bad being so "picky", but most sellers are understanding of my pickiness, and that's how I want to be with my collection, so what are you gonna do?
I don't feel bad, as many of the things I buy are described as superb gems etc. Many of these stamps have obvious faults and the collectors selling them are hoping the fault(s) won't be noticed. I had a guy sell me a Superb used 2c Jamestown issue for over $100. The second I got it and flipped it over I could see an obvious thin without even dipping it. Just bought a used 412 coil online, got it, held it up to the light , and there's a thin, once again without even dipping.
Neither one of you should feel bad. The sellers are offering something that it is not and they should expect returns. I have only returned two items in the last several years but I do have a fellow collector that just stops short of preparing a return envelope every time he buys stamps. He says he must be the record holder for returning purported Orangeburg coils. Most of the items I buy are for research and the condition is not top priority, although I still avoid buying plane junk.
Yep condition isn't that much of a factor when just researching. I have 5 279B orange reds with vertical WM. They were picked out of about 10,000 regular copies and 4 of the 5 have faults, but as scarce as they are I'm happy to have them. I thought about having the sound graded but I'd be lucky to get a 70 or 75 due to the centering. I do have 2 on cover (I use Morley Bright WM detector for covers) but have no idea of their value, the on cover value listed in my 2008 Scott is $17.50,but just the certification would cost more than that. Also I I'm not sure if there is a certified EDU as my 08 doesn't list a date. Anyone want to check their 2009 Scott for a date for me , I think the Scott # is still 279Be.
I think Ken Diehl might have an earlier use but I'm not sure , he told me what the earliest date was but now I forget. I don't know if that earliest date/cover has been certified though. I could probably write Mercer Bristow at the APS for the current date (if they have one) I have several EDU's I need to send in for certs, but I procrastinate, probably would change at least 2 or 3 dates in the Scott or as many as 7. I have 11 or 12 in the Scott now. This is a pastime I need to get back too, quite fun to discover these.
Comments
What do you think of the 3 cent purple small bank note? I'm worried about that top left corner perf.
Matt
The 3 cent you have threw me for a loop when I first saw it as I have the exact same stamp (only used) with near identical centering with the exact same issue! I bought it several years ago but never sent it in because it has a shortish perf on the same top left corner as yours! It probably will figure in the grading a bit but it's not super severe. I'd say you'll get a 90, 85 at worst. Had mine been a NH example I might have sent it in. I did send in a mint hinged example of a 221 I scored a 95J with , it was humongous.
Matt
Oh yeah and here is my latest submission:
1 1 01204179 100577 297 1901 5c US
2 1 01204180 100590 306 1902 8c US
3 1 01204181 100722 391 1910 2c coil US
4 1 01204182 100722 391 1910 2c coil US
5 1 01204183 100722 391 1910 2c coil US
6 1 01204184 100726 395 1912 4c coil US
7 1 01204185 100748 410 1912 1c coil US
8 1 01204186 100833 483 1917 3c type I, imperf US
9 1 01204187 100924 529 1918 3c type III US
10 1 01204188 100930 531 1919 1c imperf US
11 1 01204189 100933 534 1918 2c imperf, type Va US
Not expecting super high grades , but hopefully some 90's and 95's. One of the 391's is a used example I hope to hit a 95 on. The other two are mint , one NH one OG, I think the OG will grade 90-95 and hoping for 85-90 on the NH. The 529 is easily a 98J IMO but has the very faintest trace of toning so maybe a 90J(It's the largest I have ever seen on this issue, I broke it from a NH plate block) The 306 I hope for a 90J on, it was graded 90 over 4 years ago with a not from Litle saying,"98 down to 90 for cancel." Actually the cancel is not THAT bad, and on the plus side Martha Washington's face is mostly untouched from the cancel. I'm hoping with PSE's refinements in grading I might squeak a "J" onto the grade if not a 95. It's easily in the top 2 or 3 of graded 306's (mint or used) I've seen in regard to centering. The 410 was from a previously graded MNH line pair (85) that I bought fairly cheaply. The line itself does not appear on the perfs of the top stamp which is VERY well centered, I hoping for 98-100 on this example(check out the top stamp and tell me what you think the cert # is 01193201 which can be viewed her through the cert verification function) The 297 is decent and with a neat unobtrusive cancel, realistically I think it's likely to be graded 90. The 483 will hopefully get a 98, the cancel is a bit heavy but neat, it has 100-100J centering but hope for at least a 98. The 531 and 534 anywhere between 95 and 100. Link to 410 cert
Matt
Rolin
Matt
Matt
As far as timing, I do think this submission is a bit slower. My last submission was received April 3 and sent out about April 29, so about 4 weeks. That's been more or less about average for the 10-15 last submissions I've done over the last 1 1/2 to 2 years or so. We're going on 5 weeks with this one already.
Matt
Rolin
Matt
Order #20303242 / Submission #1094490
Line # Item # Cert # Spec # Grade Scott # Issued Denom. Variety Country
1 1 01202416 100066 7 1851 1c type II US
2 1 01202417 100070 8A 1851 1c type IIIa US
3 1 01202418 100124 37 1860 24c US
4 1 01202419 100259 116 1869 10c US
5 1 01202420 100260 117 1869 12c US
6 1 01202421 100311 153 1870 24c US
7 1 01202422 100940 537 1919 3c US
8 1 01202423 100562 287 1898 4c US
9 1 01202424 100571 294 1901 1c US
10 1 01202425 100573 295 1901 2c US
11 1 01202426 100577 297 1901 5c US
12 1 01202427 100638 329 1907 2c US
13 1 01202428 100708 378 1911 5c US
14 1 01202429 100675 351 1909 5c coil US
15 1 01202430 100775 429 1914 6c US
16 1 01202431 127672 221 1890 3c US
17 1 01202432 101807 C13 1930 65c US
18 1 01202433 103143 Q11 1913 75c US
19 1 01202434 100425 223 1890 5c US
Total Items: 19
Date Received: 5/11/2009
Date Shipped: N/A
Order Status: OK
Rolin
Rolin
Order #20303242 / Submission #1094490
Line # Item # Cert # Spec # Grade Scott # Issued Denom. Variety Country
1 1 01202416 100066 NG 0, Used 7 1851 1c type II US
2 1 01202417 100070 VF-XF 85, Used 8A 1851 1c type IIIa US
3 1 01202418 100124 F 70, Used 37 1860 24c US
4 1 01202419 100259 XF-Sup 95, Used 116 1869 10c US
5 1 01202420 100260 XF 90J, Used 117 1869 12c US
6 1 01202421 100311 VF 80, Used 153 1870 24c US
7 1 01202422 100940 VF-XF 85, Mint OGnh 537 1919 3c US
8 1 01202423 100562 XF-Sup 95, Mint OGnh 287 1898 4c US
9 1 01202424 100571 F 70, Used 294 1901 1c US
10 1 01202425 100573 Superb 98, Mint OGnh 295 1901 2c US
11 1 01202426 100577 F-VF 75, Mint OGnh 297 1901 5c US
12 1 01202427 100638 XF 90, Used 329 1907 2c US
13 1 01202428 100708 NG 0, Used 378 1911 5c US
14 1 01202429 100675 XF 90J, Mint OGnh 351 1909 5c coil US
15 1 01202430 100775 NG 0, Mint OGnh 429 1914 6c US
16 1 01202431 127672 XF 90, Mint OGnh 221 1890 3c US
17 1 01202432 101807 XF 90, Mint OGnh C13 1930 65c US
18 1 01202433 103143 VF-XF 85, Mint OGnh Q11 1913 75c US
19 1 01202434 100425 VF 80, Used 223 1890 5c US
Total Items: 19
Date Received: 5/11/2009
Date Shipped: 6/22/2009
Order Status: OK
You can type any of the individual certificate numbers into the cert verification feature and see details. Overall, I'm quite pleased, particularly with the scott 8A used 85, the 287 OGnh 95 and the 295 OGnh 98. My favorite that I'll be keeping for my own collection is probably the 329. Not worth a whole lot, but sure pretty to look at!
A few of them have problems, but the bulk of these can be returned, and I'll even get certification costs reimbursed on almost all. Many of the used, and all the mint stamps will go off to Steve Crippe in the next couple weeks. Is anyone interested in any of these? A select few of the used ones will go into my own collection and set registries.
I have one more batch I'm getting ready to send in within the next week, before the promotional pricing ends. This one won't have many pricey items in it though. It's nearly all relatively common stamps I've picked up that appear to have uncommon quality.
Matt
before
after
Matt
It is nice to see some good grades on some of the tougher 19th century. I am not much on anything after 1890 but 95s and 98s are great no matter what century they are from.
Rolin
Matt
I am staying away from auctions in this economy, many of the prices are unrealistic, + the cha-ching $$$ overblown buyers premium, and you can really end up overpaying. And selling through these auction houses and giving away as much as 30%! I'd rather take an item as a loss and leave it in my collection! It would be nice if there were more collectors with doubles willing to trade...
Anyway it's so much more fun to look for stamps on ones own and have them graded (and spend realistic $)
Awesome Zac! Let is know how they turn out.
Rolin,
Aren't yours coming back soon too?
Matt
Rolin
100577 F-VF 75, Used 297 1901 5c US
100590 XF 90J, Used 306 1902 8c US
100722 Superb 98, Used 391 1910 2c coil US
100722 Superb 98J, Mint OGh 391 1910 2c coil US
100722 XF 90, Mint OGnh 391 1910 2c coil US
100726 XF-Sup 95, Used 395 1912 4c coil US
100748 Superb 98, Mint OGnh 410 1912 1c coil US
100833 Superb 98, Used 483 1917 3c type I, imperf US
100927 XF-Sup 95J, Mint OGnh 530 1918 3c type IV US
100930 Superb 98, Used 531 1919 1c imperf US
100933 Superb 98, Used 534 1918 2c imperf, type Va US
Total Items: 11
Oh and a 535 imperf that I had resubmitted on a separate form(because it was too large for a capsule and too large to be graded originally)
only received a 95. It HAD to be like .00005 mm off to not get a 98 LOL. I never send imperfs in if I think they will grade lower than 98 since they don't even give "J" designations except for 100J anymore. At least it didn't cost me anything to resubmit.
The only bad grade is the top stamp which I had not checked, it was purchased from a reliable dealer, he must of just missed something on this, should have been a 90.
Overall better than I expected lots of 98's , knew I should have taken the hinge remnant off the 391 OGh that graded 98J so I coulda got a "PH" instead of an "H", just got into a rush to get the submission out.
By the way, those are some nice grades and I am sure you are proud of them.
Rolin
Matt
<< <i>I don't know if I find the super high grades I'm just super picky about what I send in. I've returned about 80% of my online purchases (in the past month)because of undisclosed faults. >>
I'm right with you on that one. I'm sure I return at least half of what I buy online for the same reason. I kind of feel bad being so "picky", but most sellers are understanding of my pickiness, and that's how I want to be with my collection, so what are you gonna do?
Matt