Older Graded Cards
 

I am not really into graded cards much so I don't know much about it, but are there special considerations given to older cards regarding the grading scale? Why do I see cards graded EX with a crease in them? I thought that EX meant no creases. And when you get to Poor and Fair grades, it's just a toss up. And it isn't just the oddball grading companies, because I see a lot in PSA holders also. Are these some of the first graded cards ever done? Are the people who grade them getting tired from grading so many? Or are they getting too old to see anymore? Any ideas?

Older Graded Cards
 

Search this forum and you will find this and other similar topics discussed 87 million times.

I think the last count was at 88M. :D

I believe there are slight considerations given to older cards by TPGs, whether they admit it or not, but no, a card graded EX from any era should not have a crease, just as most would agree that a card with paper loss should not grade higher than fair. Sure you can get into eye appeal to either bolster or tear down a particular card's grade, but from a technical grade standpoint, those two flaws should knock the card down to a max grade of 4 and 1.5, respectively.

Yes it is generally believed that the first-graded cards were given more generous numbers and yes it is surely possible a grader had a long or bad day when looking at a specific card (as well as just plain making a mistake). More nefarious explanations might be at play from time to time as well, such as graders giving favorite submitters inflated grades or certain cards having been spooned or creases pressed out, later to have these defects reappear (supposedly).

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I think PSA could fall under Odball as well as much as they're looked at as the "head-honchos" of grading (by some) I think it's a toss up with them. You can get the oddest of grades from that company.

SGC IMO is the best and far more consistent.

Also, bear in mind a full blown crease is much different from a spider wrinkle. A lot of collectors seem to confuse the two.

Some grading standards within the TPGs change a little over time. A card with a crease (goes through front and back) shouldn't generally (if ever) be EX. One with a spider wrinkle (only goes through one side) could possibly receive an EX. You just have to get to know the TPGs and their idiosyncrasies. Sometimes an earlier graded card can be a stricter grade sometimes a more lenient grade. Buy the TPG not the time frame :). (or was it buy the card.......)

Thanks everyone - great info as always.

josh....
 

+ 1 SGC are the shit;)