Can a card have gum stains and still be near mint?
 

Have a group question:

Wondering the thought of the board if a card someone considers near mint have gum stains?

If not considered near mint - how much does it cost on the grade if card were to be graded?

Thanks in advance!

For me, as a corner junkie, a wax or gum stain does little to me unless it is really dark and on the front. I’d rather have a solid card with wax than a lower condition with no wax.
Given that, I do I understand what goes into determining the technical grade.

According to PSA's grading standards Mint 9 allows for "a very slight wax stain on reverse". But as we all know, who really knows what any PSA grading team will actually agree on.

Gum or wax? Wax absolutely can especially of a bowman, gum Stain no way.

my vote - no
 

No stains allowed on a near mint card (if I'm buying it). How much of a hit is going to be card specific based on a total of all condition factors.

I have this mint 1974 Billy Williams with the obligatory gum stains on back (which looks darker in the scan than in reality)...

Attachment 399283

Was going to say I've had '51 Bowmans with the typical light wax stains get 7's

I would say that with disclosure that there is a stain, yes. But if you just list the card condition as Near Mint and do not disclose a wax stain, you set yourself up for a return.

They can if you ask 2015 Heritage collectors.

Those don't count. They're printed on.... ;-)

Have no experience with gum stains. I know SGC will only give you a 60/5 EX on cards with wax stains. A few years ago I had them grade a complete set and the wax stained cars all got the same grade. Without the stains they would have gotten 7s and 8s like the rest of the set.

Interesting question. My answer is yes,depending on severity. I don't think the opinionators feel that way though.