SGC Grading
 

I have a very nice 1915 CJ Fred Clarke SG 88 and am wondering if the present SGC regime will put it in one of their current cases. From what I have heard, they don't like to review cards graded by the then Merkel administration, saying grading standards are now different (more stringent). Any experiences? John

It is case by case but I think you have it nailed. I don't believe they will re-holder a card in one of the old holders without a review.

If SGC is asked to review the card and they determine that it is not an 88, will they re-holder it into a new slab with a grade they feel it should be? If that's the case then people would need to be warned about that.

Bottom line, if you ask for a review and request that the only way the card should be re-encapsulated is if it receives the same (or higher) grade, will SGC follow through with the request?

As we all know, grading is subjective. The cards we all have slabbed are ALL harshly graded and deserve at least a one grade bump.... :p

Their policy states (http://www.sgccard.com/Guarantee.aspx):

If the grade determined under such review is lower than that originally assigned to the card, SGC shall, at SGC's discretion, either replace the card or pay the difference between the current fair market value of the card at the newly established grade and the current fair market value of the grade originally assigned to such card, in the form of either cash or grading credit.

At least you would have a little protection if it went down a grade, though "store credit" for more grades that might also go down is a pretty crappy guarantee.

John,

When you indicate the grading is now more stringent, do you mean that they are paying closer attention to centering? To me, that was about the only thing that the past SGC grades did not take into account.

I don't think that guaranty holds for cards graded during Joe Merkle's tenure.