Certification

Imperforate Penny Red Expertising

Specialist examination and signed Philatelic Opinion certificates

Do you own a Great Britain Penny Red whose plate, variety, authenticity or condition you would like professionally examined?

I offer a specialist expertising service for Great Britain One Penny Reds. Each accepted stamp is examined in person and returned with an individually numbered, signed Philatelic Opinion certificate.

£25 per loose stamp

Tracked and adequately insured return postage is charged at an additional £5.

Please do not send an item until you have placed an order and received the submission and packing instructions.

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What might the opinion say?

The fee is for the examination and preparation of the written opinion. It is not a payment for a guaranteed favourable result. The outcome may state that the stamp is: genuine; genuine, subject to stated qualifications; repaired, altered or otherwise materially affected; incorrectly identified; not genuine; or unable to be determined with sufficient confidence.

Where a plate, variety or other characteristic cannot be established with sufficient confidence, it will not be stated as a definite conclusion.

Scope of the opinion

The certificate applies only to the particular item photographed and to its condition at the date of examination. No opinion is expressed about a matter that is not specifically stated on the certificate. Shade terminology may be used descriptively, but no specialist shade classification is implied unless this has been expressly agreed and stated.

The opinion is concerned with authenticity, identification and observable condition. It does not constitute a financial valuation or guarantee a future selling price. It is my individual specialist opinion and is not issued by, affiliated with or endorsed by the Royal Philatelic Society London, BPA Expertising, PTS Expertising, eBay or any other external expert committee. Another dealer, auction house, collector or expert body may reach a different conclusion.

How the service works

1. Order the examination

Purchase one examination for each loose stamp you wish to submit.

2. Receive your submission instructions

You will receive an order reference together with guidance on protecting and posting the stamp.

3. Send the stamp

Send the item using a tracked service with compensation or insurance appropriate to its value. The customer is responsible for arranging safe delivery to Daniel Matthews Stamps.

4. Examination and certificate preparation

The stamp will be examined and photographed. Where a conclusion can be supported, the individually numbered certificate will then be prepared, signed and authenticated.

5. Secure return

The stamp and certificate will normally be returned within 7 working days of receipt. Particularly difficult items may require longer; you will be contacted before any delay.

Return postage and insurance are charged according to the destination and agreed value of the item.

Items requiring prior agreement

Please contact me before ordering for: pairs or blocks; stamps on piece or cover; proofs, trials, specimens or experimental separations; major cancellation rarities; items submitted principally for specialist shade classification; fragile or seriously damaged material; exceptionally valuable or contentious items; submissions requiring research substantially beyond the normal examination.

About Daniel Matthews

Daniel Matthews has specialised in Great Britain Penny Reds for more than 20 years and is the author of Imperforate Penny Reds: A Guide to Collecting, Plating and Valuing.

During that period, he has collected, sorted, plated, documented and sold Penny Reds extensively. He estimates that he has handled approximately 30,000 examples, with around 10,000 individually documented within his research database.

The opinion given on each certificate is based on the individual item submitted, direct physical examination, comparison with appropriate reference material and the evidence observable at the time.

Frequently asked questions

Is a stamp included?

No. This is an examination service for a stamp owned and submitted by the customer.

Does every submission receive a “genuine” certificate?

No. The certificate records the conclusion supported by the examination. The result may be qualified, negative or, in some cases, inconclusive.

Is plate identification guaranteed?

No. Plate identification is stated only where it can be determined with sufficient confidence.

Does the certificate include a valuation?

No. Market value depends on many changing factors and is outside the scope of the certificate.

Will the certificate guarantee acceptance by an auction house or another expert?

No. It records Daniel Matthews’ individual specialist opinion. A third party remains free to form its own view.

Can I send more than one stamp?

Yes. Purchase one examination for each stamp. Contact me before ordering five or more items or submitting an unusually complex piece.

How should I post my stamp?

Submission and packing instructions will be supplied after ordering. Always use tracked postage with adequate compensation or separate insurance.

Get a Certificate