Stamp Grading Explained: VF, XF, and Superb Conditions

Stamp grading is the standardized system collectors and dealers use to describe a stamp's condition. Understanding these grades is essential for buying, selling, and insuring your collection. A stamp's grade can mean the difference between a $10 stamp and a $1,000 stamp of the same issue.

Why Grading Matters

The same stamp can vary dramatically in price based on condition:

| Grade | Relative Value |

|-------|---------------|

| Poor | 5-10% of catalog |

| Good | 15-25% of catalog |

| Fine | 40-60% of catalog |

| Very Fine | 80-100% of catalog |

| Extremely Fine | 150-200% of catalog |

| Superb | 300-500%+ of catalog |

A stamp listed at $100 in VF condition might sell for $500+ if graded Superb, or just $20 if only Good.

The Major Grading Factors

1. Centering

Centering refers to how well the stamp design is positioned within the perforations or margins. This is often the most important factor in grading.

Perfect Centering: Design is exactly centered with equal margins on all sides

Off-Center: Design shifts toward one or more edges

Jumbo Margins: Unusually large margins (can add premium)

2. Gum Condition (Mint Stamps)

For unused stamps, the original gum condition significantly affects grade and value:

Original Gum (OG): Stamp has its original adhesive

Never Hinged (NH/MNH): Original gum with no hinge marks

Lightly Hinged (LH): Small hinge mark, minimal disturbance

Heavily Hinged (HH): Obvious hinge remnants or disturbance

No Gum (NG): Gum removed or never applied

Regummed: New gum applied (significantly reduces value)

3. Freshness

Refers to the vibrancy of colors and overall appearance:

Fresh colors command premiums
Oxidized or faded colors reduce grade
Soiled or stained stamps grade lower

4. Perforations

The condition and completeness of perforations:

All perforations should be intact
Short or pulled perfs reduce grade
Blind perfs (incompletely punched) affect grade
Straight edges (missing one row of perfs) reduce value

5. Faults

Any damage affects grading:

Thins (paper loss on back)
Tears or cuts
Creases
Stains or foxing
Pinholes
Surface scrapes

Standard Grade Definitions

Superb (S)

The highest grade, representing near-perfect stamps:

Perfectly centered (equal margins all around)
Pristine condition with no faults
Fresh, bright colors
Full original gum, never hinged (for mint)
Perfect perforations
Extremely rare - less than 1% of stamps qualify

Extremely Fine (XF)

Outstanding stamps just below perfection:

Nearly perfect centering (within 5% of perfect)
No visible faults
Fresh appearance
Full OG, NH or very lightly hinged
Complete, even perforations
Perhaps 5% of stamps reach this grade

Very Fine (VF)

The standard "nice" stamp that most collectors seek:

Well-centered (design noticeably centered but not perfect)
No major faults
Good color and freshness
Original gum present (may be hinged)
Perforations clear of design
The benchmark grade for catalog values

Fine-Very Fine (F-VF)

Between Fine and Very Fine:

Slightly better than Fine centering
Minor imperfections acceptable
Sound stamp overall

Fine (F)

Average stamp in acceptable condition:

Noticeable off-center, but design complete
Perforations may touch design slightly
May have minor faults
Original gum may be disturbed

Very Good (VG)

Below average but still collectible:

Clearly off-center
Perforations may cut into design
More obvious faults acceptable
Gum may be heavily hinged or disturbed

Good (G)

Poor centering, possible faults:

Significantly off-center
Design may be cut by perforations
Various faults present
Space filler quality

Poor/Average (P/Avg)

Lowest grade, usually damaged:

Severe centering problems
Significant faults
Heavy damage
Value mainly as reference or space filler

Gum Grading Terminology

Never Hinged Grades

NH or MNH (Mint Never Hinged)

Original gum completely intact
No trace of any mounting
Post-1920 standard for premium stamps

OG/NH

Original gum, never hinged
Same as above, different notation

Hinged Grades

VLH (Very Lightly Hinged)

Barely visible hinge mark
Gum minimally disturbed

LH (Lightly Hinged)

Small hinge remnant or mark
Most gum intact

HR (Hinge Remnant)

Part of hinge still attached
Gum disturbed around hinge

HH (Heavily Hinged)

Large hinge marks
Significant gum disturbance

DG (Disturbed Gum)

Gum has problems beyond hinging
May be toned, cracked, or tropicalized

Professional Grading Services

Why Use Professional Grading?

Professional grading provides:

Objective third-party opinion
Encapsulation protecting the stamp
Authentication verification
Standardized grade for trading

Major Grading Services

Philatelic Foundation (PF)

Established 1945
Expert committee opinions
Certificates recognized worldwide

Professional Stamp Experts (PSE)

Numeric grading scale (1-100)
Encapsulation services
Population reports

American Philatelic Expertizing Service (APEX)

APS affiliated
Expert opinions
Reasonable fees

Numeric Grading Scales

PSE and some other services use numeric grades:

| Numeric Grade | Traditional Grade |

|--------------|-------------------|

| 95-100 | Superb |

| 90-95 | Extremely Fine |

| 85-90 | Very Fine-Extremely Fine |

| 80-85 | Very Fine |

| 75-80 | Fine-Very Fine |

| 70-75 | Fine |

| 60-70 | Very Good-Fine |

| Below 60 | Good or lower |

Grading Used Stamps

Used stamps are graded similarly but with different considerations:

Cancel Quality

Light cancel preferred
Cancel shouldn't obscure design
Neat, dated cancels may add value
Heavy or smeared cancels reduce grade

Cancel Types

Manuscript cancels (pen marks)
Circular date stamps (CDS) - often preferred
Machine cancels
Fancy cancels - can add premium

How to Grade Your Own Stamps

Equipment Needed

Perforation gauge
10x magnifying glass
Watermark detector
Good lighting
Reference images for comparison

Step-by-Step Process

**Check for faults first** - Use magnification to examine front, back, and edges
**Assess centering** - Compare margins on all four sides
**Examine gum** (mint stamps) - Look for hinge marks under good light
**Check perforations** - Count teeth, look for short or pulled perfs
**Evaluate freshness** - Compare colors to known examples
**Assign preliminary grade** - Be conservative
**Compare to reference images** - Use grading guides

Common Grading Mistakes

Over-grading Your Own Stamps

Everyone thinks their stamps are better than average
Be objective and conservative
When in doubt, grade lower

Ignoring Hidden Faults

Always check backs for thins
Look for repairs or alterations
Examine under different lighting

Misunderstanding Terms

"Original gum" doesn't mean "never hinged"
"Fine" doesn't mean "excellent"
Learn standard definitions

Conclusion

Understanding stamp grading is fundamental to successful collecting. Grades directly impact value and desirability. Take time to learn the terminology, practice grading inexpensive stamps, and consider professional grading for valuable items.

Remember that grading has some subjectivity - two experts might disagree by one grade level. The key is consistency and understanding what each grade represents. With practice, you'll develop an eye for quality that serves you well throughout your collecting journey.