Is there a way to take the subjective out of grading?

[Archive]

Posted By: Brian

So amidst a crazy week, I had a sort of epiphany. I am a designer, and currently working on the Olympic Track Trials that will be taking place in Eugene, OR in June. While working on interactive statues, I was scanning images of track athletes and it hit me:

There has to be a way that software can be made to assess scanned cards against a "grade standard". Grading sizing, centering, rounded corners, and paper loss all by a totally objective computer. I'm not sure that color clarity can be worked into programing, that might have to stay subjective, but maybe it is weighted lower than the attributes that are analyzed by the computer. Staining would be the same way, a yes or no, weighted lower. You would kill the trimming urge for people because cards that retain their size are graded higher than trimmed counterparts. Best part, only do vintage cards, it seems to be the one place where mis-grades are prevalent. My thought was that if you could come up with the software, and offer it up to board members (for for a greatly reduced rate) to build a database and grading standards, you could corner the market quickly. Here's the best part, the holders would have all information (except the grade, and branding) on the back, making the presentation of the card paramount. You could give the grading houses a run for their money, because people who are REALLY looking to get a true grade, can't get any better than a computer analysis.

I'm an idea guy, but I would think with the varied backgrounds of the collectors on this board, someone must know how to write the software for this. With the knowledgeable collectors that roam here, you could develop standards for EACH set and type of card, that would be true, so that posts about inconsistency and bad grading would go away, and once again, it would be about the cards.

Like I said, I'm just an idea guy, if someone runs with this and makes a million, just remember to kick a little 5% my way.

[Archive]

Posted By: dan mckee

A very easy way. Have all cards graded only 2 ways. Authentic Unaltered and Athentic but Altered.

[Archive]

Posted By: Matt R

I do not think it is at all possible for software to determine eye appeal of the card. The human eye is much more complex than any silicon chip. I buy a card based on eye appeal and not a number. That is how I ended up with a 1933 Goudey Ruth in a GAI slab. I passed up two chances to buy the same card graded as a 5 by PSA but I chose the GAI that was graded 4.5 because it looked better.

[Archive]

Posted By: Brian

I totally agree, eye appeal cannot be graded, but the actual condition can. That's what I am going for. Eye appeal can sell the card, but for collectors who want a legit grade on the condition of the card, it might be a good alternative.

just a thought.