Show the face and all perforations
Centering, missing teeth, creases, stains, thins, gum, and repairs can materially affect a stamp.
Free grading decision tool
See whether your stamp may be worth professional grading
Upload a clear photo and choose your goal. The tool gives a cautious condition outlook and explains when grading, certification, or expertizing may help.
Drop a stamp photo here
Show the full stamp, every perforation, and as much front detail as possible in even light.
When is professional stamp grading or expertizing worthwhile?
Professional review is most useful when authenticity is uncertain, a stamp may be scarce or valuable, condition strongly affects price, or a certificate would make selling or insuring it easier. Common or visibly damaged stamps often cost more to submit than the added confidence is worth.
Grading and expertizing solve different problems. Grading describes condition, while expertizing examines identity and authenticity. The right choice depends on your goal, the likely issue, visible faults, service fees, shipping risk, and what information remains unknown.
How it works
A preliminary grading decision, not an official grade
Professional review can add confidence, but visible condition, authenticity risk, rarity, fees, and your goal determine whether it makes sense.
Choose the reason for review
Selling, insurance, authentication, and collection documentation create different benefits.
Compare benefit with cost
Use the recommendation to decide whether to seek a recognized expertizing or grading service.
What to check before paying for professional review
A sensible submission decision compares the likely benefit of a recognized opinion with the full cost and the limits of a photo.
Choose the right service
Do not pay for a condition score when the real uncertainty is identity or authenticity. Check what the provider examines and returns.
- Expertizing for identity and authenticity
- Grading for standardized condition
- Encapsulation or certificate requirements
Look for condition-sensitive value
Centering, perforations, gum, repairs, thins, creases, stains, and cancellation quality can move a stamp between very different price levels.
- Front and back inspection
- Faults that may be hidden in a photo
- Value difference between realistic grades
Calculate the complete cost
Include service fees, shipping, insurance, membership, handling, and time. Compare that total with the likely value and your reason for submitting.
- Recognized provider and correct service tier
- Round-trip insured shipping
- Expected resale, insurance, or collection benefit
Continue your research
More stamp guides and free tools
Explore another collector guide or use a free tool to check the next detail on your stamp.
Common questions