Grade-mongers
 

Look, I know that variations on this topic have been beaten to the ground on this forum, but I couldnt help myself when I saw this sale on ebay the other day. The psa 2 on the right sold for $1500 and change. The card on the left is my sgc 20. I am not here to complain about the fact that mine somehow graded a 1 and the other is a 2. I am aware that grading and presentation are two different things. My chief complaint is that PEOPLE WILL PAY MORE FOR THAT CARD; that a collector will pay more for the 2 than the 1 is absolutely ridiculous to me. I get that grades affect the price, but when there are two ultra low grade 100 year old cards like this, and one is substantially nicer than the other, shouldn't the CARD carry more weight than the numeric grade? I have no evidence to back this rant since I have no clue what mine would sell for at auction, but something tells me it wouldnt be more than what this 2 got.

I only recently figured this out with my 1914 CJs and 1953 Wilson Franks. Grade is only one indicator at that level. I have a couple PSA 2 CJs that look great but have a micro tear or something similar. My main concern is avoiding trimmed and colored cards.

I wouldn't pay $1500 for either one but I would pay more for yours than the other one.

Thank you...i think

Not always
 

Especially at those levels. I often see eye appeal effect price enough. Here you have two different grading companies. I think that can have as much or more of an effect than the number when it comes to price.

That is equally problematic. Guys who claim to collect cards are buying holders.

100% correct.

I have seen cards, with practically unknown players, fetch big dollars because the cards are slabbed 9's and 10's.

I suppose the lure is the fact it puts them in a more rare category being 9's and 10's, but I just don't see the purpose of purchasing a card of a practically unknown player other than it being an investment.

But, even if that is the case, I still don't see this fetching them big bucks in the future? :confused:

When a grade bumps you up to elite and rare territory, i can see the value in that (like an 8 to a 9). But the difference between a goudey ruth (for example) psa 3 and psa 4 in terms of population is the same. At that point, the better looking card should be more expensive even if it is the lower grade. There is nothing inherently more valuable in that 4 since they are no more rare and is only tecnically a better card but not aesthetically. Just my opinion.

well I'd pay $1500 for your cobb Orlando!!!! I witnessed this lession recently as well with my sgc card compared to a similar psa...it's damn irrational and it pisses me off...but it is reality! what is even worse is the erratic grading psa has demonstrated over the years.

There are so many variables we could discuss about reasons why there will always be discrepancies in grading.

1. Graders use their own interpretation for clarity of card

2. Graders might spend to much time on a card to look busy and over grade it.

3. Graders might be rushed and don't spend enough time and under grade it.

4. Political as it does matter who submits the card(s)

5. Slabs can be altered.

6. Slabs can be bought (back door or from factory over seas) and fake labels be made.

7. Graders and human.

I think this thread is less about the flaws in grading and more about questioning the inherent value of a grade when it is no more rare than the lesser grade. Say a hank aaron rc at a 5 is in the same population range as one in a 6. So what makes the 6 more valuable? Presumably it is a nicer looking card. But what about when it isn't?

Does your card have back damage? If not, I wonder if SGC considered that "notch" in the lower left of the bottom of the card to be a deal breaker....

When I sold my '51 Mick in a misguided PSA 2 holder it sold for 6k, or 200% of what their idiot tecnhnical grade said. My first and probably last submission to PSA. (unless I have a registry type card :))