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Kevin SaucierWhen inspecting a slabbed card make sure to look very closely at the corners and edges. Not necessarily for alterations but for damages caused by the slab itself. Just because a card is in a holder does not always mean it is better protected.
The picture below shows a "high-grade" card that has been damaged by the rails that keep it in place. Through time (who knows how long) the end of the two rails, top and side, have placed pressure on the corner and caused the card to peel. If you look closely you can see the tip of the rails have dented each side. What you can't see is the layers below the top are also separating, as well as another corner.
Typically an entire edge is dinged inward from a slightly loose card being banged against the rail or gasket. Usually this can only be seen under magnification. This is another high-grade card. The picture clearly shows the left edge as being pushed in forming a ridge...in reality almost the entire edge has been affected. This is very common.
Under a halogen and a 10x loupe inspect some of your cards. You might be surprised to find out the slab meant to protect your card may have downgraded the condition. Those "card condoms" (plastic inner sleeves) that most collectors dislike are not always a bad thing. Most of the time it adds some extra protection.
Just another thing to look for!
Kevin Saucier