About
Grading Matters powers Professional Stamp Experts (PSE), one of the leading philatelic grading and authentication organizations. Collectors can submit stamps to receive a PSE Certificate of Authenticity detailing the Scott catalog number, year of issue, denomination, color, and condition. PSE also offers a Graded Certificate that adds a PSE Standardized Philatelic Grade™ for singles and catalog-listed multiples. The service covers stamps from across the globe, including USA (with revenues, Confederate States, and Hawaii), Canada, Australia, France, Great Britain and Commonwealth, China, India, Israel, Thailand, and the United Nations. Submission tiers range from a cost-effective Modern service for recent issues to Classic and Specialized tiers for vintage, rare, and unusual material such as covers, proofs, errors, and freaks. Additional services include Plating (identifying plate positions), Reconsideration (requesting a second review), and Conversion (updating an existing graded item to another certificate format). Turnaround times vary from two weeks for priority and modern submissions to 40 business days for classic or specialized items. Pricing is per-stamp with both minimum fees and percentage-of-catalog-value caps, making the service accessible for casual collectors and serious philatelists alike.
Key Features
- PSE Graded Certificate: Provides a standardized philatelic grade alongside full Certificate of Authenticity details including Scott catalog number, year, denomination, and condition.
- Wide Geographic Coverage: Grades stamps from USA, Canada, Australia, France, Great Britain and Commonwealth, China, India, Israel, Thailand, UN, and more.
- Multiple Service Tiers: Tiered submission options—Modern, Economy, Regular, Vintage, Classic, Specialized, and Priority—accommodate stamps of every era and complexity.
- Specialized Item Authentication: Handles covers, postal stationery, postmaster provisionals, proofs, errors, freaks & oddities, and private perforations.
- Plating & Reconsideration Services: Additional services identify plate positions or allow the original submitter to request a formal reconsideration of a recent opinion.
Use Cases
- A stamp dealer authenticates a collection of classic U.S. stamps before listing them at auction to establish provenance and value.
- A philatelist submits a rare Confederate States stamp for grading to receive an official PSE grade that enhances its resale price.
- An estate executor uses PSE authentication services to assess and document the value of an inherited stamp collection.
- A collector submits a suspected error stamp (misperf or color variety) through the Specialized service to confirm its catalog status.
- A buyer requests a Reconsideration after receiving a lower-than-expected grade on a recently submitted stamp.
Pros
- Broad Scope of Coverage: Accepts stamps from dozens of countries spanning nearly two centuries, making it useful for collectors of all specialties.
- Transparent Tiered Pricing: Clear per-stamp fee structures with both flat minimums and catalog-value percentage caps protect collectors from unexpected costs.
- Established Industry Authority: PSE is a recognized name in philately, lending credibility and resale value to any certificate or graded item.
Cons
- Encapsulation Discontinued: As of January 1, 2021, PSE no longer offers encapsulation services due to low demand and supply constraints.
- Long Turnaround for Complex Items: Classic, Vintage, and Specialized submissions can take up to 40 business days, which may be inconvenient for time-sensitive transactions.
- Physical Submission Required: Stamps must be physically mailed in, adding shipping costs and risk to the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a PSE Graded Certificate?
The PSE Graded Certificate of Authenticity includes the Scott catalog number, year of issue, denomination, color, condition description, a full-color photo of the stamp, and a PSE Standardized Philatelic Grade™ (for singles and catalog-listed multiples).
Which countries' stamps does PSE grade?
PSE grades stamps from the USA (including revenues, Confederate States, and Hawaii), Canada, Australia, France, Great Britain and Commonwealth (Edward on), China (and PRC, with some exceptions), India (not states), Israel, Thailand, and the United Nations.
How is the service fee calculated?
Fees are charged per stamp and are typically the greater of a flat minimum or a percentage of the Scott Catalog Value (SCV), with most graded tiers capping at $600 per item.
Can I request reconsideration of a grade?
Yes. The Reconsideration service ($30 per item) is available only to the original submitter within 45 days of the certificate date. If the opinion changes, no charge is applied.
What happened to PSE's encapsulation service?
PSE discontinued encapsulation as of January 1, 2021 due to high minimum supply requirements and low demand. Orders submitted for encapsulation where stock has run out will receive graded certificates instead.
