NiCd Battery for power station(SPH220)

i have a NiCd battery(saft Product) of 1.2V nominal voltage that was shipped in for our power station.The manual clearly stated that if the battery is filled with its electrolyte (potassium hydroxide) and discharged from the factory the battery can be stored for over two years before it is been used.I measured the battery voltage and got 1.241, i was surprised because i was thinking since the battery was discharged and transported down, the voltage level should be lower or maybe 1V.Is this assumption correct?is there any other thing to check if the battery was actually transported discharged?