There are many weeds in the lawn of philately. Identifying them is the job of experts. The American Philatelic Expertizing Service, operated jointly by the American Philatelic Society and the American Stamp Dealers Association, boasts the largest pool of philatelic expertise available. More than 130 people — specialists collectors, authors, and exhibitors, as well as dealers — in the United Sates and several other countries make up the committee.

An average of 746 items are submitted to the committee each month. Since the current service was established thirty-seven years ago more than 141,000 items have been examined.

Because of the far-flung nature of the committee, most items to be examined are circulated by mail. Typically, an item will be evaluated by two or three experts, who offer their opinions on a range of matters dealing with identification and condition.

Here are some frequently answered questions about expertizing, and the answers.

Q. How long does it take to get a certificate?

Once an item is received at the APS National Headquarters in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, it is logged in and photographed by expertizing coordinator Krystal Harter. She then prepares it, along with similar items, for mailing to a committee member specializing in that particular area. Mailings are made every twelve to sixteen days. With luck, the material is examined promptly and returned in time for the next mailing. Certification can be achieved in a relatively short time if there are no delays in returns from the committee. Owner should allow at least 90 days before expecting a certificate.

Q. Who can use the service?

APEX certification, a service of the APS since 1903, is a benefit to members of the American Philatelic Society and the American Stamp Dealers Association (ASDA). Non-members may contact us for eligibility and membership information.

Q. How much does it cost to have an item expertized?

Fees are based on the current Scott Catalogue value of an item. Other catalogs (Minkus, Gibbons, Michel, Yvert, etc.) may be used in the identification of the item on the certificate. Fees begin at $25 for an item with a Scott catalog value of $1,000 or less and 2% for above that level. Items not listed in any catalog may be initially submitted for a minimum fee of $25.

Q. What about refunds?

If, in the committee's opinion, an item was misidentified and the fee was in excess of $25, the fee will be adjusted and a refund made for the difference, minus any expertizing and insurance expense

For example, the fee for a stamp with a catalog value of $5,000 is $100 (2 percent of $5,000). After examining the item, the committee determines that the stamp is a counterfeit and returns it to the owner with the certificate so stating. The fee is adjusted to $25 and a refund of $75 is made, under normal circumstances.

Q. I have what I hope is an extremely valuable stamp, but in all probability is a counterfeit. Do I have to pay the full fee up front?

We decide on a case-by-case basis how to handle these situations. If arrangements are made ahead of time, we sometimes will accept an item with a potentially high value for the minimum fee of $25. It is accepted with the understanding that if it turns out to be a genuine, high-valued item, we will bill the owner for the difference.

Q. How should I mail the item to the expertizing service, and how much should I provide in postage for its return ?

We always recommend registered mail because of the security provided by this class of mail. Those collectors who carry APS insurance should check their individual policy for coverage limits and requirements.

For the return of an item, owners can provide self-addressed, stamped envelopes with enough postage to pay certified or registered mailing costs, or the cost of return postage can be included in the check along with the fee payment.

Q. I just bought a stamp accompanied by a photocopy of an APEX certificate. What should I do?

It is very easy to manipulate and alter the contents of photocopies, and we do not recognize them as official APEX documents.

Q. Which expertizing service is best?

That's a matter of individual preference, usually formed by experience. We view all recognized expertizing organizations as serving the philatelic community in friendly competition. Other services have never failed to come to our assistance when called upon. In turn, we always are pleased to offer assistance when asked. This cooperation makes our job a very pleasant one.