APS Lowers Minimum Expertizing fee

Effective March 1 the minimum fee for guaranteed opinions from American Philatelic Society dropped from $25 to $20 making it more economical to submit less expensive stamps.

According to the APS, "We have long encouraged collectors and dealers to get many of those less expensive stamps certified for authenticity and condition. But when the Scott Catalogue values a stamp or cover for $200 or less, you may think twice about spending $25 for an APEX certificate. So, effective March 1, 2010, we have adjusted our minimum fee down from our current $25 to $20 for APS members to help take the bite out of expertizing costs."

Below is a complete schedule of fees...

Scott Catalogue value APS Members Non-APS Members

$200 or less $20 $40
$201–$500 $25 $45
$501–$1,000 $30 $50
$1,001 or more 3% of Scott value 5% of Scott value
Not catalogued/Unpriced $30 minimum $50 minimum
Maximum fee: $400 $800

The APS says, "With more than 120 specialist collectors and dealers currently serving, the American Philatelic Expertizing Service committee represents the largest pool of philatelic expertise in the Western Hemisphere."

Shown above, a American Philatelic Expertizing Service report.

For more information, click here.