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Notes on Grading Duck Stamps
Stamp Grades
Mint:
Never Hinged Original Gum. Just as issued.
Gem:
100
Superb:
98
XF-Sup:
95
XF:
Extremely Fine. Nearly perfect centering.
VF-XF:
Very Fine to Extra Fine. Well-centered design.
VF:
Very Fine. May be slightly off-center on one or two sides but well clear of the edge and presents a nice balanced appearance.
F-VF:
Fine to Very Fine. Somewhat off-center on one side or slightly off center on two sides.
Perfs are well clear of the design, but are still noticeably off-center.
FINE:
Noticeably off-center on two sides, but perfs do not touch design.
AVG:
Perfs may touch or cut into design, minor flaws or defects may occur. Stamps with a strait-edge, crease or bend are sold as average.
FAULTY:
Tears, stains, cuts or other disturbances.
Gum & Condition Terminology
LH
A stamp with a slight hinge mark or remnant on the gum.
GS:
Gum Skip
RG:
Re-gummed
DG:
Disturbed Gum
SE:
Straight Edge (no perforation) along at least one side of stamp
No Gum:
Without Gum - Appears unused but without gum. Often best for framing.
Used:
Signed by hunter or bearing postal cancellations or other markings.
Additional Collecting Notes
Serial Numbers: On Indian Reservation stamps will be similar to those pictured.
Plate # Single: A single stamp with attached selvage bearing the plate number.
Plate Number Blocks: RW 1 through RW 25 and RW 31 were issued with the plate no. at the top or bottom of the pane.
A plate block of these issues consists of 6 stamps with selvage on two sides and plate no. near center. All others were issued with the plate no. in the corner of the pane, and plate block consists of 4 stamps with selvage on two sides and a plate number near the corner. As many of these plate blocks are one-of-a-kind, please call and verify availability before ordering.
Please see images of actual stamps for confirmation.