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Posted By: Joann

Dave,

My guess is same cards, and that the PSA "Q" grades were both for the pencil marks on the back. All of the Herps had a price written on the back in pencil.

Since a PSA qualifier is typically thought of as a 2-grade difference, then the PSA 5Q would roughly equate to an SGC 40. That the card got a 30 from SGC could be because of tougher grading or whatever, but it's not that far off.

As to the PSA 6 versus PSA 6Q, the loss of the qualifier was probably because the pencil mark was erased in between gradings. The marks are fairly light and easily erased.

I've always thought that raised an interesting grading point. The grading standards are (and should be) based on what the grader can see physical evidence of. Not what they may "know" is there. It is very well known in the hobby that these all had marks on the back. If one arrives at a grading company without a mark, they surely must know it has been erased. But since so many grade without the qualifier or mark reflected in the grade, they must go strictly by what they can or can't find or see - even if they are looking for it.

Joann