How do you really know the true psa population?

[CMIZ5290]

In this crazy day and age of T206 uncommon back frenzy, how do you really know what the exact population is of that rare back? So many people advertise in auctions that their card is "1 of 1", or "the highest graded example" of that back. What is unknown is how many examples may be in the dreaded "unknown back" category. Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated.....

[glchen]

You will never know the true pop of a rare back because PSA did not keep track of the backs when they first started grading. (I don't think SGC did either.) As you said, the "Unknown Back" comprises of a lot of cards.

[danmckee]

You have to count the hundreds of broken slabs I have in a big box in the basement!

3rd party grading is a complete joke!

[ullmandds]

ok guys...who's holding out...who's got the crystal ball? I know someone must have one? Or maybe a time machine...time machine? Anyone? Delorean maybe?

Maybe the aliens know?

[Davy_Kangaroo_Jones]

lol

[CMIZ5290]

Peter- wtf???? DID ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE A GENUINE D***

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by glchen

You will never know the true pop of a rare back because PSA did not keep track of the backs when they first started grading. (I don't think SGC did either.) As you said, the "Unknown Back" comprises of a lot of cards.

Gary,

SGC beat PSA to this by years and years. Not sure why people always lump SGC in with this problem every time the issue is discussed?

It was PSA that completely missed the boat on this.

Here is an early SGC-graded T206 I sent in myself a dozen years ago...they were recording and slabbing T206 based on backs:

[glynparson]

I don't necessarily believe the concept of third party grading is a joke, however I absolutely believe its implementation has been a joke or worse.

[Peter_Spaeth]

For third party grading to work right, you need really knowledgeable graders, consistent standards, a fee structure that allows the company to make a profit while allowing sufficient time to evaluate each card properly (and resources to hire really knowledgeable graders), and an organizational structure absolutely free from influence or conflicts of interest. While I wouldn't be as negative as Glyn, I don't think we have seen this realized yet.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

For third party grading to work right, you need really knowledgeable graders, consistent standards, a fee structure that allows the company to make a profit while allowing sufficient time to evaluate each card properly (and resources to hire really knowledgeable graders), and an organizational structure absolutely free from influence or conflicts of interest. While I wouldn't be as negative as Glyn, I don't think we have seen this realized yet.

+1. Very well said, Peter!
Val