The reason for expert certification is simple; it is to have an independent third party confirm and insure that the stamps you buy are genuine and “as described”. Expert committees identify stamps and describe any flaws, repairs or alterations that deviate from a “perfect” stamp. It therefore is important for buyers to avail themselves of the expertization process to protect themselves from possible financial losses they may suffer due to misidentified or misdescribed stamps or those with undisclosed faults. One way to think about it is as an “insurance policy” against these types of problems.

All mainstream philatelic public auction firms, and most top retail dealers allow buyers to place purchases “on extension” for certification. Unfortunately, not all sellers on eBay allow certification. Therefore, to buy expensive stamps from such sellers is a big gamble. I strongly recommend the Guide written by “philcomp” “Buying Higher Value U.S. Stamps on eBay,” for excellent general guidelines.

The purpose of this guide is to recommend to eBay buyers which specific U.S. stamps should not be bought without accompanying certification OR the right to seek certification granted by the seller. If a seller will not allow you to seek certification, you should think carefully whether or not it is worth the “gamble” to bid on these stamps.

19th CENTURY STAMPS:

1. As a general rule, any 19th Century unused stamp valued at over $100. by Scott should be certified. As an examiner for two expert committees, I would guess that 80% of the 19th C. “unused” stamps I see are either cleaned (with cancels lightened or removed) or are regummed or both. Any used stamp where the Scott value is substantially higher used than unused, such as Scott #30, #39, etc. should be expertized. Any stamp which can easily be made “imperf” by trimming off perforations and by doing so, increase the value greatly, should be expertized.

2. Stamps which require verification of their identity are; 5, 5A, 6, 8, 8A, 12, 13, 16-19, 21-23, 27, 28A, 30, 31, 34, 40-47, 62B, 64, 64a, 64b, 66, 67, 70b, 70c, 70d, 74, 75, 78c, 79-85F, 99, 100-111, all 1869 varieties “without grill”, 123-132, 137-144, 164, 167-177, 180-181, 192-204, 209b, 211B. Any major variety such as laid paper, inverted center, etc.

20th CENTURY STAMPS:

314A, 315-318, 321-322, 348-366, 385-389, 421, 423A-E, 445, 449, 456, 459, 461, 476A, 477, 482A, 485, 491, 500, 518b, 534B, 537a,b,c, 539, 544-46, 578-79, 594-96, 599A (mint), 634A (mint), 834a, any major error or expensive variety.

BACK-OF-BOOK:

Any major error, expensive color variety or Special Printing PLUS J29, J30, J58-60, J94-96 with dull gum, all used Shanghais, O10-13, O68-71, O96, O103, O107, O112-13, all Newpaper Stamps over $200. Scott value, all Private or Imperf Coils over $100. or priced in italics by Scott, all Carriers and Locals except the most inexpensive, especially if priced in italics, any Imperf or Part Perf Revenue over $100. Scott value.

Even if you adhere to this list, it is still certainly possible to buy misidentified, altered or flawed stamps NOT on this list, but your “gamble” factor is greatly reduced. Speaking of gambling, I advise clients that ANY outlay of money that, if lost or stolen, would be considered by them to be an unacceptible amount, should be the lower threshold in deciding which stamps should be sent for certification.

In my experience, any money you spend on certification costs will be recovered when you sell (or more!). Serious buyers and sellers respect and require certified stamps. Most top retail dealers have their best stamps certified and so should you!
The three major U.S. expert committees are:

1. American Philatelic Society Expert Service (APEX, 100 Match Factory Rd, Bellefonte/PA, 16823)

2. Professional Stamp Experts (PSE, POB 6170 Newport Beach/CA, 92658)

3. Philatelic Foundation (PF, 70 West 40th St, 15th Floor, New York/NY, 10018)

All three have websites where information about services (and costs) are available. Simply use a search engine (such as Google or Yahoo, etc.).