Unopened box and pack grading

[Bkrum]

After a very very lengthy exit from the hobby I have reawoken and trying to understand the modern realities of grading. One item I dug out were some unopened boxes from the 70s and early 80s from all sports (baseball, football, basketball, hockey) primarily Topps and OPC. While I am not interesting in selling them anytime soon it is worth getting them authenticated? I have seen some references to Baseball Card Exchange authentication services for unopened boxes but not sure if that is worth it. Are there some items worth getting authenticated and others that are not? Also we have some packs that were authenticated using the original Global Authentication INC (GAI) service. I understand they went out of business in 2009 but are these still considered legit. In other words if we did try to sell them would buyers be comfortable. Thanks in advance any insight.....

[Zach Wheat]

Bkrum,

Welcome back to the hobby.

Personally, I don't know whether a GAI label on unopened packs & boxes carries much weight. I know there were other issues with GAI grading trimmed cards - so unsure if that affected grades on packs. BBCE is pretty much the standard for sealed boxes.

As far as being worth having your boxes sealed by BBCE - I think it really depends upon the cost benefit analysis of what you have.....yes a BBCE seal means something to most buyers...but unsure if it will be too cost prohibitive for 80's material. Some of the more expensive product it will definitely be worth it....but as you get into the mid-80's, it probably would not pay for itself.

Z

[dodgerfanjohn]

As far as what your stuff is worth, I'd check bbce sell prices and eBay ended auctions. I'd only have them bbce wrapped and authenticated if you intend to sell them. I guess also if you are concerned about their authenticity.

[Bkrum]

Spent a pretty penny getting all of our packs graded by GAI 10-15 years ago when they were the gold standard for pack grading. Would be disappointing if we now need to get them regraded by PSA. One reason why I hesitate to get the boxes authenticated if we aren't really in the market to sell them.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by Bkrum

Spent a pretty penny getting all of our packs graded by GAI 10-15 years ago when they were the gold standard for pack grading. Would be disappointing if we now need to get them regraded by PSA. One reason why I hesitate to get the boxes authenticated if we aren't really in the market to sell them.

I recommend opening everything and posting pictures here (not actually advised but would be cool to see)

[Bkrum]

glad we put our collection together when prices were still somewhat reasonable. And no thanks on the pack opening party

[pokerplyr80]

Lets see some pictures. That sounds like a cool collection of unopened stuff. What's your oldest unopened box?

[Bkrum]

No pics as the boxes are at my Dads house (it's really his collection and not mine). 70 Topps football would be the oldest mainstream box. Packs go back earlier. The prices on some of the basketball boxes are insane. Wow

[MikeGarcia]

Originally Posted by Bkrum

No pics as the boxes are at my Dads house (it's really his collection and not mine). 70 Topps football would be the oldest mainstream box. Packs go back earlier. The prices on some of the basketball boxes are insane. Wow

.. Are you saying there are unopened boxes...of untouched packs....of '70's basketball cards , perhaps containing PSA 10's ' over at my Dad's house'..??.....Oh Em Gee.....are you or your Dad aware of what's going on in the sportscard market currently ??

...

[Bkrum]

Somewhat aware of the market and getting more educated every day. Dad (and I to some extent) hoarded some good stuff many many years ago. Also a fair amount of junk wax which he let go of several years ago. We are both kind of like the guys on that Pickers show that that don't like to sell the good stuff. Collection been sitting dormant for a while but now that my kids are getting older and getting back into it a bit.