Same card, different grade.
 

Same card...is there any obligation of an auctioneer to indicate that the higher graded card was recently auctioned off as a 5?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/3929428137/" title="E95Cobb6 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3929428137_2e23f9a057_o.jpg" width="353" height="599" alt="E95Cobb6" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/3930205280/" title="E95CobbPSA5 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3930205280_dc715d05cc_o.jpg" width="400" height="671" alt="E95CobbPSA5" /></a>

Possibly, if the auctioneer knew the card was previously a lower grade. Not sure it is fair to assume they would. In this case, assuming the cards pictured are the same, not sure there is a big difference between what appears to be a nice Ex that made it to a EXMT holder.

I really don't think it's up to the auctioneer to disclose that it was at one time in a 5 holder. They may not even know...and I would guess that a ton of vintage cards in the 5 and up range have been graded multiple times with differing grades.

What I'm amazed about is how many of you guys can keep track of these individual cards. That takes some dedication and effort.

Dan, it's kind of simple. Just go to VCP and look at the cards in the same grade and the grade lower. Check out the auctions with images available. This one took about 30 seconds to figure out.

Dan,

It's Lichtman. And it's a Cobb.

Okay, I take it back...it took no dedication or effort on your part. :D

actually I don't have a subscription to VCP so I didn't even think about that.

Jeff - that's a great question for debate. I'll suggest that even knowing it was previously a 5, they have no obligation to disclose that. The card is now a 6 and you're correctly bidding on a 6. I know it does matter to some, but why does it matter that it was previously a 5? Does it mean that the 6 is more likely a generous grade? Maybe it means the 5 was wrongly assigned in the first place. Regardless you should be bidding on the card.
(I didn't mean to implore you to bid, rather the emphasis was on bidding on the card and not the flip)

Matt, I'm not sure how I feel about the issue to be honest; however, I will agree that it's a legitimate 6 in my mind and is a great card.

My opinion is no, they do not. Grade bumping is all part of this crazy game. I buy the card not the holder so what it was previous isn't an emphasis for me. If it's in a 6 holder and is selling for 6 money, but looks like a 5, I don't want it. On the contrary, if it's in a 5 holder and looks like a 6 and I want it, I'll pay a premium. Just my opinion.

What matters is what the label says on the day of the sale/auction. No more needs to be said in terms of grade.

i owned this card probably 5+ years ago, it was in a sgc60 holder...i always thought it looked better. psa didn't agree with me then but i'm glad someone else convinced them it's a 6 today. tbh i think sgc would grade it an 80 today also.

I would say no provided it is the same card sans any beautification efforts. Of course those that engage in that wouldn't disclose it any way. I think it is very feasible that the auctioneer may not even know most of the time.

I wouldn't think there's any obligation to say it was a 5. It's a 6 now so it is what it is. I agree that a 6 looks like a fair grade, but if someone thinks it looks like a 5 all they have to do is not bid. I doubt anyone would complain if they bought that card in a 5 holder for a 5 price.

No obligation unless "improved" which is of course always a possibility.