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Posted By: MW

A third party authentication service to "validate" already graded cards requires more than a team of the hobby's top graders. It necessitates a financial guarantee to back its opinions. Just like in the coin business, an opinion, however well qualified, means very little to the majority of collectors, if it is not backed by solid cash offers. It has been estimated that such a guarantee would require an outlay of perhaps $5 million.

Anyone can put a sticker on a graded card. Few can provide the expertise and then confidently back it with a financial guarantee.