PSA 9 vs. SGC 96 Huge Price Disparity

[Delray Vintage]

Can someone tell me why there is such a price difference between a PSA 9 and SGC 96. I saw the PSA 1956 Mantle go for three times higher on the Heritage Auction. Is the SGC 96 really a PSA 8.5? I looked at the high res scans and could not see much difference. Has the PSA premium grown so much?

[Eric72]

I believe the PSA Registry effect might be in play.

[Stonepony]

Kevin may want to chime in?

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I believe the PSA Registry effect might be in play.

100% +1.....you see it more on the commons than the major stars. A PSA 9 common might go for $200+ while and SGC common could very easily fetch $5-$10. No joke.

[Peter_Spaeth]

It's not just the registry. That would explain commons but not Mantles. PSA is just much more desirable right now for certain types of cards. And is certainly the brand of choice for a lot of the new money. Like it or not they have done a much better job promoting their brand.

[Touch'EmAll]

Lets say you are sitting at home looking at your, say, a mid-career Topps Aaron, that you honestly believe has a heckuva great shot at PSA 9 or SGC 96. How many of us would nowadays opt to submit to SGC? Years ago, SGC perhaps - as I bet the SGC 96's were graded some time back.

In addition, SGC has a reputation as a little more off-center than PSA. Not to say you can't find a 45/55 or better both ways SGC.

And yes, painfully so, the PSA registry is a big factor.

[GoudeyGum]

So the only difference is the registry? I think if that were true, the prices would be the same minus grading fees. I'm sure I am in the minority, but I think the take away is that if you crack a 96 and submit to PSA, you will get back an 8 most of the time. Just my opinion.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by GoudeyGum

So the only difference is the registry? I think if that were true, the prices would be the same minus grading fees. I'm sure I am in the minority, but I think the take away is that if you crack a 96 and submit to PSA, you will get back an 8 most of the time. Just my opinion.

Yeah if it comes back graded at all.

[pokerplyr80]

I think the perception is that if a high end or high grade vintage card is in an SGC holder it's because someone tried to get it into the equivalent PSA holder and failed. As well as that the standards are tougher for PSA than SGC or BVG. I don't know if that's actually the case or not. But it seems to be what people believe.

I do think the registry plays a big role even in very expensive cards. Collectors trying to get the top spot in a major set could be bidding everything from commons to Mantles up.

I do like to gamble though so if a few of you want to pool some money and see if we can crack a couple of high grade SGC cards and get them into PSA holders I'm in.

[Delray Vintage]

so the sgc 96 mantle in heritage is worth 30k less than the psa 9? I looked at both cards high resolution and could not see a difference. Seems like whoever bought the SGC should at least try to submit to PSA. Cannot believe they would only get an 8, at least 8.5. Crazy to think the high value cards hinge so much on who graded them at PSA. Does PSA ever give the same grade to an SGC card submitted in the SGC holder?

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Delray Vintage

so the sgc 96 mantle in heritage is worth 30k less than the psa 9? I looked at both cards high resolution and could not see a difference. Seems like whoever bought the SGC should at least try to submit to PSA. Cannot believe they would only get an 8, at least 8.5. Crazy to think the high value cards hinge so much on who graded them at PSA. Does PSA ever give the same grade to an SGC card submitted in the SGC holder?

yes..and you can tell PSA not to change the holder if they wont give it the same grade so you are just out the grading fee.......I always factor 1 grade lower when I bid and I just send in the card and take whatever PSA gives me which is 70% of the time 1 grade lower....there are dealers out there that do the opposite they turn PSA 7s for example into SGC 8s...and though they don't get a PSA 8 price...they get more than they paid for the PSA 7 in todays climate..though that could be changing...

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Delray Vintage

so the sgc 96 mantle in heritage is worth 30k less than the psa 9? I looked at both cards high resolution and could not see a difference. Seems like whoever bought the SGC should at least try to submit to PSA. Cannot believe they would only get an 8, at least 8.5. Crazy to think the high value cards hinge so much on who graded them at PSA. Does PSA ever give the same grade to an SGC card submitted in the SGC holder?

I would assume whoever is selling the SGC Mantle has already tried to get it into a PSA 9 holder. They may not have cracked it out but I certainly would have sent it in if it were my card and I don't know why anyone else wouldn't.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by GoudeyGum

So the only difference is the registry? I think if that were true, the prices would be the same minus grading fees. I'm sure I am in the minority, but I think the take away is that if you crack a 96 and submit to PSA, you will get back an 8 most of the time. Just my opinion.

the forum has gone over this already...whatever the reason PSAs go for more than SGC..usually a grade better...I have actually seen some sellers with SGC 6's try to help their sale by giving PSA 5 past sale history..not 6s have sold for.... you may find someone that doesn't care about the TPG...but more and more people are paying more for PSA of the same grade....if you want to the same price for your SGC as a PSA grade you you aren't going to get it at open auction..your best chance is a direct sale to someone who doesn't care...