Price quality scale

philately of quality and specialized books

Quality "A"
catalogue price

ABSOLUTE FIRST CLASS: exemplars with margins and/or perforation without any defects.
For Papal State, type with frame line, items showing even a part of the frame line, but on every side, are included in this category.
As to the issues of the Kingdom period up to 1929 (any type), perforation may touch the design. As to following issues, thus also R.S.I., Regency and Republic, perforation cannot touch the central design. Any exceptions to these rules are indicated in the different types.

Quality "B"

If not otherwise stated 50% price drop with respect to quality «A» quotations.

INFERIOR FIRST CLASS: immaculate items with poor margins, but with untouched design. As to the issues of the Kingdom period up to 1929, perforation may touch the design, whereas following issues, thus also R.S.I., Regency and Republic, have perforation touching only slightly and on one side only.
As to unused items, they may have the colour of their gum varying and/or some yellowing due to time or some intrusion in the gum or in the paper. As to cancelled items, it is possible to find a more marked cancellation.
This quality, with relevant reduction, is not valid for postage stamps on cover/letter.

Quality "C"

80% price drop with respect to quality "A" quotation.

SECOND CLASS - possible defects: one margin touched, perforation badly centred touching the design even in many parts and/or defective perforation and/or slight crease and/or rubbing or scissors-cut touching the design. The gum may have some rust spots or yellowing. As to cancelled items, it is even possible to have a very heavy cancellation.

Quality "D"

95% from price of quality "A" price drop with respect to quality "A" quotation for items up to a value of euro 500 - for higher value items the reduction can even be 80% of the quotation "A".

THIRD CLASS: examples with more than one margin touched or with a small repair. As to perforated items, they may have incomplete perforation and be really badly centred. The gum may also have heavy yellowing or rust.

Quality Extra

Quotations for quality EXTRA increase starting from 100% with respect to quality "A" quotations.
In case of a different percentage, it is stated in the different issues.

QUALITY EXTRA: very large margins, original gum, no defects. Perforated items have a 90/100% centering if not otherwise stated.

PRICE WITH RESPECT TO OUR QUALITY SCALE
Prices for unused or cancelled stamps refer to absolute first class items quality «A» - if not otherwise stated.

Quotations for items on covers/letters are referred to postage stamps which can be of quality «A» or «B», but always with white margins well visible or non-defective perforation.

The examples of the issues from December 1863 to 1896 are sometimes reproduced of quality «EXTRA» (very well centred).

For the services of the Kingdom of Italy or overprinted C.2, Postage-due-labels, State Services - 1875, centring parameters for quality «A» and «B» may be inferior to the ones reproduced; however, they fall within normal («A» quality).

Quality "A"
the price of the catalogue

Quality "B"
-50%
from price of quality "A"

Quality "C"
-80%
from price of quality "A"

Quality "D"
-95% (1)
from price of quality "A"

Quality Extra
at least +100%
from price of quality "A"

(1) When the value in the catalogue is higher than euro 500, discount can even be -80% off quality «A».

For the services of the Kingdom of Italy or overprinted C.2, Postage-due-labels, State Services -1875, centring parameters for quality «A» and «B» may be inferior to the ones reproduced; however, they fall within normal («A» quality).

As to classes «A» - «B» - «EXTRA» covers, preservation is always from good to perfect.