Posted By:
botnPSA has been encapsulating cards labeled Authentic for the bigger dealers. I do not think that they are offering that option to the public.
I was not aware that SGC had ever holdered cards identified as "Authentic".
I believe that GAI will holder a card as Authentic if it is an important card.
On another note, it is sad that there are so many people who feel as Dan has stated in his post regarding PSA and their holdering of doctored cards. There certainly seems to be talk about the increased perception amongst dealers and collectors who are seeing more cards that are suspect of alterations that reside in PSA holders.
Until several years ago I rarely used to question if a card was altered within a PSA holder. This recent phenomena makes buying PSA graded cards sight unseen a little more of a risky prospect.
You expect that cards that are sold ungraded that look high grade have been doctored but now you have to use the same analysis when looking at PSA graded material. Having the card in the holder puts one at even more of a disadvantage too as you cannot inspect the card in the same manner that you can a raw card.
Hopefully this trend will discontinue and PSA will return to a less controversial grading company. Being the leader does not mean that you are the best.
Greg