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Cover from Isla del Carmen with 38 reales in postage, a great rarity.

Expertization

Expert Committee

The MEPSI Expert Committee is a member body that, collectively, has knowledge of every facet of Mexico’s philately. If you have a stamp or cover and are unsure of its origin or whether it is fake or genuine, contact the Expert Committee for their opinion.

Downloads

Download Full Application

Note: If using this option, please print 2-sided,
with settings to "flip on short edge."

 Download Front of Application Download Inside of Application

Application Process


Step 1: Download and print the application.*

Step 2: Complete page 1 of the application.

Step 3: Enclose the item to be expertized in a glassine envelope and attach it to page 2 of the application.

Step 4: Mail the complete application, item to be expertized, and payment to the Administrator.

* If you have trouble printing the application you may request paper copies.

Following the guidance in the Hints” section below may help you avoid unnecessary delays with your expertization request..

Expertization Fees

Applications for Expertization will be processed for MEPSI members or non-members alike, but members receive a discounted rate. See below for rates. Our minimum rate is $50 for one shipment, meaning if you only send one stamp for a certificate the fee will be the minimum of $50 rather than the Member fee $25, or non-member fee of $35.

Exact payment must accompany each and every application, the structure for fees is imprinted on all applications. Or you may review the current fees below.

Overview of Fees

Value Stated
in Application		 Member
Fee		 Non-Member
Fee
Up to $1,000 $25* $35*
$1,001 – $1,500 $30* $40*
$1,501 – $2,000 $40* $50
$2,001 – $2,500 $50 $60
Over $2,500 2% 2%

* Minimum charge is $50 per shipment. It is best to submit multiple items in the same mailing (one fee applies to each item).

† International mailing fee: $100 (insured up to $15,000)

Note: Fees are based upon the cost of an item, or the replacement or market value NOT catalog value. Catalog value often has little bearing on what a piece costs, or the market value. While your stamps are in our hands they are insured for the market value used to calculate the application fee.


HINTS for Filling Out Applications

When submitting material to the MEPSI Expert Committee, here are some hopefully useful hints that will aid in expediting your material.

  1. Make sure that your application is completely filled in. The required fields that must be completed on the application are all located on the front page. Fill in the date that you complete the form. Make sure to fill in the center section, the “Year Issued”, “Denomination”, Color (ink/paper), a catalog number “Cat. No.” and the catalog you use “Catalog (Scott, Follansbee, etc.). Make sure to include a “FAIR MARKET VALUE or PURCHASE PRICE.” We need this information for insurance purposes (if you do not declare it then we will assume that you consider it worthless and it will be insured for that amount). Provide a brief description and tell us what you wish to know about the item.

  2. Each item requires a separate application. Do not attempt to put multiple items on a single application. If this is done, the Committee will, at their discretion, select one of the items and process it leaving the other unprocessed. You may, however, included multiple applications with their corresponding items in the same envelope.

  3. Make sure to enclose payment. If payment is not in the envelope, your application and item will be placed into the safe until payment arrives. We do not invoice for services rendered. If you are in doubt whether your application is in process or for any reason you wish a status, contact the Administrator. If you include a valid email on the application, or if your email is on record with MEPSI, then the Administrator will attempt to contact you and advise that you must submit payment.

  4. Read the payment schedule on the application carefully. A short payment is as bad as no payment at all, and your material will be placed into the safe until we receive the amount necessary for full payment.

  5. When submitting covers, keep in mind that it is often impossible for the MEPSI Expert Committee to make judgments regarding watermarks or back printed stamps. The Committee will not remove your stamp from the cover. At your discretion, you may choose to remove the stamp yourself before submitting it for opinion. But if the cover arrives with the stamps fully secured, then the Committee will do its best to try to determine the state of any watermarks or back printing. Keep in mind that it is sometimes very difficult to detect certain watermarks in the best of conditions, so do not expect miracles in the worst of conditions. If a stamp is still affixed to the envelope and you request a certificate for an unwatermarked variety, the Expert Committee will NOT issue such a certificate. You will receive a certificate stating that “it is either [a watermarked variety] or an [unwatermarked variety]”. Same goes for back phosphorescence and moire printing (etc.).

Expert Committee Administrator


Marc E. Gonzales
PO Box 33387
Northglenn, CO 80233-0387
Email: marc3771@aol.com OR use our Contact form (with Expertization as the subject).