Professional Stamp Experts
 
1918 Inverted Jenny Stamp
Photographic Grading Guide to U.S. Stamps

It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is indeed true, you'll find quite a bit of reading here.

PSE is providing a Photographic Guide to Grading U.S. Stamps, illustrating major stamp issues from grades of Fine 70 through Superb 98.

Since many faults (thins, creases, small tears, etc.) are not visible in a photograph, this guide is only for the centering portion of the grade.

Simply click on a link below, and you'll see a grading guide to the selected series. We'll be adding more series as we get them finished.

  1. Imperforate Issues - 1847-1856 (Scott Nos. 1-17)
  2. First Perforated Issue - 1857-1861 (Scott Nos. 18-47)
  3. 1861 Issue - 1861-1868 (Scott Nos. 62-111)
  4. Pictorial Issue - 1869 (Scott Nos. 112-133)
  5. Large Banknotes - 1870-1888 (Scott Nos. 134-218)
  6. Small Banknotes - 1890-1893 (Scott Nos. 219-229)
  7. Columbians - 1893 (Scott Nos. 230-245)
  8. Early Bureau Issues - 1894-1898 (Scott Nos. 248-284)
  9. Trans Mississippi Issue - 1898 (Scott Nos. 285-293)
  10. Pan American Issue - 1901 (Scott Nos. 294-299)
  11. Regular Issue - 1902-03 (Scott Nos. 300-320)
  12. Louisiana Purchase - 1904 (Scott Nos. 323-327)
  13. Washington Franklin Issues (Scott Nos. 331-547; various)
  14. Early 20th Century Commemoratives (Scott Nos. 328-330, 397-404)
  15. Regular Issue - 1922-25 (Scott Nos. 551-573)
  16. Washington Bicentennial - 1932 (Scott Nos. 704-715)
  17. National Parks Series - 1934 (Scott Nos. 740-749)
  18. Presidential Series - 1938 (Scott Nos. 803-834)
  19. Liberty Series - 1954-1961 (Scott Nos. 1030-1053)
  20. Airmail Issues - 1918-1930 (Scott Nos. C1-C15)
  21. Special Delivery Issues - 1885-1951 (Scott Nos. E1-E19)
  22. Early Hunting Permit (Duck) Stamps (Scott Nos. RW1-RW25)
  23. Middle Hunting Permit (Duck) Stamps (Scott Nos. RW26-RW53)
  24. Recent Hunting Permit (Duck) Stamps (Scott Nos. RW54-RW72)