Grading Guide - Combining Soundness and Centering
Introduction | Why Grade Stamps? | What is Grading? | PSE Grading System | Soundness | Centering | Combining Soundness and Centering | Eye Appeal | Gum Condition | Appendix |
After having evaluated the two major components of a stamp, (soundness and centering) the preliminary grade of the stamp may then be established. These two factors interact with each other to yield the following grades. Soundness grades are located on the left side, where centering grades are located at the top.
G | VG | F | F-VF | VF | VF-XF | XF | XF-S | Sup | Gem | |
Damaged | 10 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 |
Major Fault |
10 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 70 |
Fault | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 75 | 75 |
Minor Fault |
20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 75 | 80 | 85 | 85 |
Very Minor Fault |
30 | 40 | 60 | 70 | 75 | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 95 |
Faultless | 30 | 50 | 70 | 75 | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 98 | 100 |
Grades in the shaded area may be increased one level if the faults are all non visual.
10 | Fair (FR) | 75 | Fine-Very Fine (F-VF) |
20 | Fair-Good (FR-G) | 80 | Very Fine (VF) |
30 | Good (G) | 85 | Very Fine-Extremely Fine (VF-XF) |
40 | Good-Very Good (G-VG) | 90 | Extremely Fine (XF) |
50 | Very Good (VG) | 95 | Extremely Fine-Superb (XF-Sup) |
60 | Very Good-Fine (VG-F) | 98 | Superb (Sup) |
70 | Fine (F) | 100 | Gem |
After the preliminary grade has been determined, we can now take up the issue of Eye Appeal, which can affect both mint and used stamps, though in slightly different ways.