Grading Oversized Cards

[Idiottax]

I've just purchased an oversized card I would like to get graded, primarily to protect the card from my ownership. I was wondering if there were any opinions as to whether PSA or SGC was better at protecting oversized cards. I'm leaning towards submitting through SGC, since I work in Parsippany about half the time, which means I can at minimum, pick up the card in person, but could be convinced to submit to PSA as well if the option is better.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Bicem]

if your only concern is protection then I'd go PSA, large cards seem to slip under the gasket more often in SGC's over-sized holders vs their normal sized holders from my experience.


of course there are much better ways to protect cards than grading but I digress.

[smtjoy]

What kind of card is it? Some of the very thin ones do have some issues in SGC slabs but some float around in PSA slabs and do not present well so they each have pluses and minuses.

I think both companies postage is around $10+, also no membership needed for SGC vs PSA $100.

Its only one card sub I would say stop by and talk to SGC since you are already in the area, cant beat that.

[Exhibitman]

Depends on the card. I've had good luck with normal thickness large cards in SGC holders and I think the presentation is much better than the PSA holder:

[glchen]

For postcard-sized and oversized (up to 5x7), I like PSA's holders better. They are thicker and sturdier. SGC's larger holders tend to be easier to compromise or crack open during shipping. For standard size holders, SGC is sturdier than PSA.

[glynparson]

I sometimes think I am the only one that hates SGC holders. I think the quality of plastic is rather low, I dont trust the gasket not damaging cards either through movement or a chemical reaction with the cards they are up against. as to the best of my knowledge it is not made from a material that has been tested not to cause damage over time. I also loathe the cheap 1980's looking print of the label.

[x2drich2000]

Cosmetically, I prefer the SGC holders, but as Gary said, I do think they are easier to crack so you need to be a bit more careful with them.



DJ

[tiger8mush]

Originally Posted by Idiottax

I've just purchased an oversized card I would like to get graded, primarily to protect the card from my ownership.

For protection, I'd recommend consideration of a 3rd option - Beckett.

You could leave the card out in your neighborhood street overnight and rest assured no damage in the morning. Assuming its not stolen

[Exhibitman]

That's true, Rob, I forgot about Beckett. Their holders are damned tough, the worst to crack by a large margin. That said, I recently bought a Topps notebook page encapsulated in one of their big item holders and had to return it because it had cracked badly in shipping. Seller sent it in a padded envelope and a corner got munched. The moral of the story is that no matter how good the holder the USPS can mangle it if the packaging isn't right. I don't like the way cards look in the Beckett holder but between the card condom and the holder itself, it is definitely the best storage of the big three.

[Idiottax]

Thanks for all of the helpful recommendations.

To close the loop, I ended up taking my oversized card (a 1910 Plowboy Orval Overall) to SGC for grading today. Essentially, the poor shipping of the seller left me with no practical way to effectively ship the card to Beckett, but I was able to fashion something together to safely transport the card from my home to SGC's offices.

[brob28]

Originally Posted by Bicem

if your only concern is protection then I'd go PSA, large cards seem to slip under the gasket more often in SGC's over-sized holders vs their normal sized holders from my experience.


of course there are much better ways to protect cards than grading but I digress.

Anyone out there with experience slabbing R315's in SGC holders and them slipping? I have a Ruth and like the looks of the SGC holder better, but not at the expense of having the card slipping around.

[smtjoy]

I think you will be fine on the R315 in a tallboy SGC slab, they are a little thinner than an exhibit but I believe still thick enough to not slip. I only have one but it looks great and fits just right. Just for reference I have had over 1000 exhibits slabbed at SGC and have yet to have one slip outside the gasket. Also on a card at that value I am pretty sure they will cut it a custom gasket, if your worried call Earl at SGC and im sure he will help.