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) 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.
3) 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 and we will await the amount necessary for full payment.
4) 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.).
5) 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. Each item requires a separate application.
Expert Committee Administrator
