Professional Stamp Experts

Grading Guide - Determining Soundness

The soundness component evaluates the overall condition of the stamp. Faults, both major and minor, are the key determinants here. The stamp is examined for creases, thins, color fading, toning spots/stains, reperforation, tears and repairs (or alterations), and the severity of any or all of these faults is taken into consideration.

Because a stamp can be faultless, or have any number of faults in any combination, we have set up a chart that shows how a variety of faults affect the soundness rating. See the Appendix for a detailed discussion of the various kinds of faults (both natural and man-made) which go into the determination of soundness.

Faultless	The stamp is completely sound, free of all faults.
Very Minor Fault	Natural blind perf Minor natural gum bend Tiny natural paper inclusion visible on front Significant natural gum skips on NH stamps Shorter perf Perf tip crease Tiny, light toned spot
Minor Fault	Minor natural gum wrinkle Large natural paper inclusion Large natural gum skips or short gumming on NH stamps Short perf Corner perf crease Toning spot Shallow, tiny thin - about 1 mm Slight color fading Two or three very minor faults
Fault	Heavy natural gum wrinkle / crease Light crease Small thin - 1-3 mm or two tiny thins Tiny 1 mm edge or perf tear Pulled perf (below the bottom of the holes) Reperforated on one side Pinhole Light stain Natural straight edge (pre-1890 stamps) Two or three minor faults or combination of minor and very minor faults
Major Fault	Large crease or two light creases Large thin, two small thins or three tiny thins Small tear or two tiny tears Reperforated on two sides Significant stain Small repair (e.g., added perf or painted over small surface scuff) Natural straight edge (post-1890 stamps) Several trimmed, clipped or short perfs Two or three faults, or combination of minor faults
Damaged	Severe or multiple creases Large, deep or multiple thins Large or multiple tears Significant repair Hole Reperforated three sides Two or three major faults or combination of other faults