About
PSAG (Philatelic Stamp Authentication and Grading, Inc.) was established in 2009 by J. Randall Shoemaker, the founder of PSE and a 45-year veteran of professional stamp expertizing. PSAG provides philatelic authentication and grading services for stamps from the United States, Canada, Canadian Provinces, Canal Zone, and Hawaii — covering singles, pairs, plate blocks, booklet panes, and souvenir sheets. The company assembles a committee of recognized philatelic experts who authenticate and grade submitted stamps, issuing certificates that collectors and dealers rely on when buying or selling high-value items. With many stamps carrying significant monetary value, expert third-party authentication is critical to protect both buyers and sellers from forgeries and misrepresented material. Beyond certification, PSAG's website functions as an educational resource hub, featuring a Photo Grading Guide, blog articles by noted authorities, streaming tutorial videos, and links to philatelic clubs and societies. New customers can sign up for the email list to receive a coupon for one free certificate with a paid submission. PSAG serves advanced collectors who regularly invest $50 or more per stamp, dealers, and auction houses that require trusted third-party grading. The organization is continually expanding its scope, including British Colonies, and is committed to maintaining the integrity and legacy established by its founder.
Key Features
- Expert Stamp Authentification: A committee of seasoned philatelic experts examines submitted stamps and issues official certificates of authenticity, protecting collectors from forgeries.
- Numeric Grading: PSAG grades singles, pairs, plate blocks, booklet panes, and souvenir sheets for US and British North America (BNA) stamps with standardized numeric scores.
- Photo Grading Guide: An online visual reference guide helps collectors understand grading standards and assess the likely grade of their stamps before submission.
- Educational Resources & Blog: Articles by noted philatelic authorities, tutorial videos, and links to clubs and societies make PSAG a knowledge hub for the stamp collecting community.
- Expanding Coverage: In addition to US and Canada, PSAG is expanding services to British Colonies, broadening the range of stamps collectors can submit for authentication.
Use Cases
- A collector purchasing a high-value classic US stamp submits it to PSAG for authentication before completing the transaction, ensuring it is genuine.
- A stamp dealer uses PSAG grading certificates to transparently market inventory and justify pricing to potential buyers.
- An estate executor submits a philatelic collection to PSAG for grading to accurately value stamps for probate or auction purposes.
- A new collector uses PSAG's Photo Grading Guide and blog articles to learn how to evaluate stamp condition before submitting items for official certification.
- An auction house requires PSAG certificates as a condition of listing high-value US or Canadian stamps, increasing buyer confidence and realized prices.
Pros
- Deep Philatelic Expertise: Founded by the creator of PSE with 45+ years of experience, PSAG's expert panel brings unmatched credibility to authentication and grading decisions.
- Educational Value: Free resources like the Photo Grading Guide and blog articles help collectors learn grading standards and make more informed purchases.
- New Customer Incentive: First-time customers can receive one free certificate (worth up to $35) with a paid submission upon signing up for the email list.
Cons
- Physical Submission Required: Stamps must be physically mailed to PSAG's Florida address, which adds time and shipping costs compared to any digital service.
- Limited Scope of Coverage: Currently focused primarily on US and Canada material; collectors of other world stamps have limited options with PSAG.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stamps does PSAG authenticate?
PSAG expertizes stamps from the United States, Canada, Canadian Provinces, Canal Zone, and Hawaii. The organization is also expanding into British Colonies.
How do I submit stamps to PSAG?
Submissions can be sent by mail to PSAG's PO Box in Melbourne, FL, or via FedEx to their street address. Details and fee schedules are available on the website.
What types of items can be graded?
PSAG grades singles, pairs, plate blocks, booklet panes, and souvenir sheets for US and BNA (British North America) stamps.
How do I get the new customer free certificate coupon?
Sign up for the PSAG email list on their website. A coupon for one free certificate (up to $35 value) will be emailed to you; print it and include it with your first paid submission.
Who are PSAG's experts?
PSAG's expert committee is composed of recognized leaders in philately. The organization was founded by J. Randall Shoemaker, a 45-year veteran expertizer and founder of PSE, and continues to add noted authorities such as Mike Mathis with 60 years of US philatelic knowledge.
