PSA Lingo Question - 61 Topps Mantle

[Harliduck]

So a couple of months ago I was surfing ebay and found this 1961 Topps Mantle base card. This is my picture, but the seller had listed one similar and said the card came back from PSA due to the factory cut the card was too small. It had a starting bid of $70 and ended in the middle of the night so...for whatever reason, I bid $70 and woke up to find I actually won it. No other bids.

In hand it looks great, nice and crisp. It measures out against another 61 card perfectly left to right, and is a TINY bit short. So short I tried to take a picture and you couldn't see it. So...what the heck does "minsizerq" mean, and is this card simply trimmed? Is the seller correct stating it was factory, thus the PSA designation? Again, I was shocked no one else took a shot at this card, even trimmed (which I personally hate trimmed cards) its gotta be worth the 70 bucks.






Anyhow, I thought it was interesting and I figure all the graded PSA experts would be able to provide me the answers. I do have a few other 61 Mantles, and a nice EX one for my set, so I really don't care if its trimmed or factory. Just would like to know...and if it is indeed just a trimmed card, isn't PSA kind of misleading those who don't know much about their process to kind of give validity to a trimmed card? Wouldn't trimmed be "Authentic"?

[ALR-bishop]

John -- I think that is a Klingon word for "missed it by that much "

[moeson]

It's not trimmed; just factory cut short.

[ALR-bishop]

My Klingon is a little rusty, it could be "factory short cut"

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

My Klingon is a little rusty, it could be "factory short cut"

Haha...I like your first stab at it...


Thanks moeson...

So I assume that lingo means factory cut. So if it came from the factory like that would it be safe to assume its worth more than the $70? I remember thinking why the heck did I bid on that. I'm not much of a seller, but I will keep the PSA documentation in the case I ever do so the next owner will know a bit about it. I've never really came across a card (outside of 63 Fleer, haha) short cut at the factory, at least knowingly.

[moeson]

Your Klingon is fine. Sometimes I'm not sure about PSA's measurements.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

I've never really came across a card (outside of 63 Fleer, haha) short cut at the factory, at least knowingly.

Yes, it means it measured short, but that PSA couldn't detect trimming. Cards that measure short get MINSIZREQ, but don't cost the grading fee. Some people have had good luck resubmitting to PSA or other grading companies and getting number grades.
1975 Topps Mini was notorious for certain color combinations cut short at the factory. Originally PSA didn't measure them (just the eyeball test), and then a couple of years ago got really stingy. Big 1975 Mini collectors pay a premium for correctly sized PSA 8 and 9s compared to factory short 8s and 9s.

[moeson]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

Haha...I like your first stab at it...


Thanks moeson...

So I assume that lingo means factory cut. So if it came from the factory like that would it be safe to assume its worth more than the $70? I remember thinking why the heck did I bid on that. I'm not much of a seller, but I will keep the PSA documentation in the case I ever do so the next owner will know a bit about it. I've never really came across a card (outside of 63 Fleer, haha) short cut at the factory, at least knowingly.

You probably wouldn't even notice until you submit for grading. I recently had a Schmidt rookie that I pulled out of a rack pack back in 1973 come back that way along with several others. I don't mind when it's obvious but some you can't even tell.

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by moeson

You probably wouldn't even notice until you submit for grading. I recently had a Schmidt rookie that I pulled out of a rack pack back in 1973 come back that way along with several others. I don't mind when it's obvious but some you can't even tell.

Had I not known there was an issue with this card, I don't think I would have noticed. I'm pretty good at eye balling trimmed cards online, and in hand. Unfortunately I have run across a few. This Mantle passes my eyeball test.

Since you can't slab your Schmidt do you feel you have lost value? To me considering it's factory in my mind it's no different than a miscut, a rough edge, or anything else that comes out naturally. I detest altered cards, but given this information I can now live with this Mantle...

[Johnny630]

They would give you a voucher for a free submission. I like your card :-) sometimes they get it wrong.

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Yes, it means it measured short, but that PSA couldn't detect trimming. Cards that measure short get MINSIZREQ, but don't cost the grading fee. Some people have had good luck resubmitting to PSA or other grading companies and getting number grades.
1975 Topps Mini was notorious for certain color combinations cut short at the factory. Originally PSA didn't measure them (just the eyeball test), and then a couple of years ago got really stingy. Big 1975 Mini collectors pay a premium for correctly sized PSA 8 and 9s compared to factory short 8s and 9s.

Thanks for the info...now I am going to go check my mini set...haha.

Do the other grading companies treat factory short's the same?

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

They would give you a voucher for a free submission. I like your card :-) sometimes they get it wrong.

Thanks...I now like the card myself...haha. I am not into grading and have never submitted anything and most likely won't, but I as I said I will certainly save the PSA stuff in case I ever get rid of the card for the next guy. To be clear, it is short...how PSA caught it with the amount of volume they must do is kind of impressive really.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

Do the other grading companies treat factory short's the same?

That card could probably get a number grade from all three major TPGs depending on the day; just the luck of the draw. Nice pickup!

[Bcwcardz]

Just resubmit or send it to someone else. If you do resubmit I don't know if they keep a record of cards you submit. I know if you try enough you will get it in a holder. I've had the same thing happen to me on a 78 Topps Molitor but I paid good money and just got a refund from the seller.

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