Factory cut vs. trimmed question
 

This is a question for those who send to the grading companies.I myself do not .
Is there anyway the grading companies can differentiate a card that is cut short from the factory vs one that is trimmed? As we have all seen products before the values exploded there wasn't a high priority on quality control.
The Vic Harris card was pulled directly from a pack by me in 1975. I have other cards that are a hair narrow that I know have never been trimmed.This is specifically related to a 1971 Topps Nolan Ryan ( given to me by my neighbor in 1973 ) I have thought about sending it for grading ( would be my first submission) but hesitate that it will only come back as trimmed or authentic.
Any input would be appreciated,
Brett

Usually trimmed cards are easy to spot. If a card was cut short/narrow at the factory it will come back as not meeting the minimum size not trimmed.

A factory-cut card will show rough edges (varying somewhat in degree), while one that has been run through a paper press (to slightly enlarge it, then cut it back to the correct size) will show smooth, sometimes described as "razor-sharp" edges under magnification. In addition, sometimes only the upper or lower portion of the card was treated to such a "rejuvenation", which would leave the corners with a pinched look under 10X power or better. These were seen fairly often in the early to mid-'90's, before TPG took hold--especially with one seller in the Detroit area. The grading companies spot such alterations quite easily, which is how I learned to inspect the edges of prospective purchases in the 1990's.

Best wishes,

Larry