One PSA submission, 3 different types of slab

[Luke]

Note: My submission only included T206s and T207s

Just got back a PSA submission, and noticed there are 3 different kinds of slabs:

1. New, thicker slab with frosted plastic and no seam along the side
2. New, thicker slab with plastic baggie and no seam along the side
3. Slim slab (like the old ones) with baggie and seam along the side

I'm just wondering if this is by design, and if so, what is the reason. #1 seems most common. #2 seems to come with oversized cards. There doesn't seem to be any distinguishing characteristics of the cards that came back in slab #3.

I really like the slim slab with baggie, (#3) and if I could, I would request to have all cards holdered in that slab. Although, with the seam along the side, slab #3 is not as secure as the other two new designs.

Anyway, I just thought it was interesting (my apologies if it is not) and wondered if anyone on here knows anything about it.

In this scan:
Powell and Jordan are in slab #1
Kleinow is in slab #2
Murphy is in slab #3

[GregMitch34]

Bigger question is--why do many PSAs now have the damn baggy, which I hate? They've always had to use for certain sized and odd cards, which I understand, but now you see it so much even with your standards t206s and CJs etc. Why? Looks awful.

[MartyFromCANADA]

Agreed.

[coolshemp]

Just curious as to why you chose PSA over SGC for T206s? IMHO SGC holders look much nicer and has a less generic look to them. Again, my opinion.

[Luke]

Greg, I agree. I wish the holders were slim like my #3 example, but with the frosted plastic, rather than the baggie.

Derek, good question. I favored SGC for a long time for T206s, but right now I can't decide which I prefer.

The main thing PSA has going for them is that you know the card is going to be protected, and not slide around in the holder. With SGC, you hope that the card will not slide around.

I do agree that the black holder looks better, but you have to be really careful not to scratch the cases because they scratch very easily. You can put the holder in a plastic sleeve, but that is one more layer of plastic between the card and your eye, and I don't like the way it looks.

Another factor is that PSA cards sell for more in the same grade. After submitting to both recently, I think that might not matter as much as some people think. PSA is grading a lot tougher than SGC these days. A PSA 3.5 might be an SGC 60 in some cases. I think there is about a one grade gap between the two companies on average.

[tab]

I go with PSA over SGC. It's just what I like. I like the holders much better than SGC and feel they are more sturdy. I don't care for the baggies but will still buy them over SGC slabs. I do have a handful of SGC slabs in my collection.

[coolshemp]

I like both companies, but prefer SGC for older issues. My 1966 Three Stooges set looks great in PSA holders, but all my pre-WII need to be SGC for me. And I never have had a gasket slip with SGC, knock on wood!

[Luke]

I wasn't referring just to cards slipping out of their gaskets. I've had that happen with both companies actually. I have a few like this one, that I try not to handle at all because they knock around in the holder.

[coolshemp]

Originally Posted by LukeLyon

I wasn't referring just to cards slipping out of their gaskets. I've had that happen with both companies actually. I have a few like this one, that I try not to handle at all because they knock around in the holder.

I see what you mean! That is like a few of my cards as well!

[TanksAndSpartans]

I can contribute two things:

1.) The baggie has always concerned me because I've seen it used to hold undersized cards with sharp corners in place, so my mind quickly went to wondering if the card should have been graded in the first place. I called PSA and I was told that the mylar was at the discretion of the grader. My assumption is that the the card is considered unaltered, but on the low end of the size requirement - at that point I would guess they say - "let's make sure this one is held in place". In theory, I would guess they could be out of the holder for a given issue and have to use a different/larger one - just a guess.

2.) I'm really surprised about the seam. Check out this page: http://www.psacard.com/Articles/Arti...ts-its-holders it says:

The top portion of the new, improved PSA and PSA/DNA holders (top image) envelops the bottom portion eliminating the seam (bottom image) where the top and bottom portions met on holders previously used by PSA and PSA/DNA.

I 'd call and ask why i didn't get a new, improved holder - seems like a fair question.

[mechanicalman]

This thread was an eye opener as I thought the slabs with the baggies were just a relic of a previous design. I have a Goudey in one, and I really don't care for the look. The plastic goes over the card. Was going to send it in for a new bagless holder, but it appears that might be a waste of time if it's up to the grader's discretion.

Also, on a related note, I'm not sure which I care for less: the look of my cards in baggies or the word "Baggie."

[GregMitch34]

I seriously try to avoid any cards in baggies, which means I pass on a lot of PSA cards that I might have paid good money for. There must be others like me.

[DeanH3]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

I seriously try to avoid any cards in baggies, which means I pass on a lot of PSA cards that I might have paid good money for. There must be others like me.

So far I've been lucky enough to find cards without a Mylar sleeve. However, if push comes to shove, I might breakdown and buy one. But I would strongly prefer the non Mylar sleeve holders. I really don't like the look at all.

[DeanH3]

Originally Posted by LukeLyon

I wasn't referring just to cards slipping out of their gaskets. I've had that happen with both companies actually. I have a few like this one, that I try not to handle at all because they knock around in the holder.

I wonder if SGC has stopped the custom size inserts and have gone with a generic one-size fits all insert. It appears the newer holders are the ones most likely to have floaters.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

This thread was an eye opener as I thought the slabs with the baggies were just a relic of a previous design. I have a Goudey in one, and I really don't care for the look. The plastic goes over the card. Was going to send it in for a new bagless holder, but it appears that might be a waste of time if it's up to the grader's discretion.

Also, on a related note, I'm not sure which I care for less: the look of my cards in baggies or the word "Baggie."

Baggy, baggie. Baggie, Baggy.

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by LukeLyon

I wasn't referring just to cards slipping out of their gaskets. I've had that happen with both companies actually. I have a few like this one, that I try not to handle at all because they knock around in the holder.

A+ Cool Hand. As much as I used to praise SGC the recent increase in price per submission and most definitely your reason have scared me away.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

Baggy, baggie. Baggie, Baggy.

That's the kill shot right there!

[frankbmd]

Come here mister... PSA's in the swing
We ain't too hip... about that new slab babe
we ain't no drag
PSA's got a brand new bag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV95pdw3pDw