GAI Graded Cards

[Stampsfan]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I did a search and could not come up with a definitive answer.

I am wondering about GAI graded cards. I have seen references here about how they were once reliable, but evolved into not being so. In another recent thread, Peter Spaeth indicated "This was GAI's failure despite the excellence of Mike Baker as a grader...".

Can anyone provide details around such?
Is there a way (number sequence) to tell if a GAI graded card can be "more trusted" than another series of numbers? Any details around why?
What is the danger of trimmed or re-colored cards with GAI?

Looking more for informed details, not opinions such as "Don't trust any GAI".

Thanks in advance.

[drcy]

The below metallic labels shown here is from their old, reliable days. GAI autograph LOAs with Mike Gutierrez's name on it are also from their earlier, reliable days.

[Peter_Spaeth]

The problem I think is that they were still using those metallic flips when they went bad, that is, started doing favors for people (IMO). Cards that say first graded are usually fine. But it's a crap shoot I don't think you can tell from the cert if it's early GAI or not, maybe I'm wrong.

[Yastrzemski Sports]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

The problem I think is that they were still using those metallic flips when they went bad, that is, started doing favors for people (IMO). Cards that say first graded are usually fine. But it's a crap shoot I don't think you can tell from the cert if it's early GAI or not, maybe I'm wrong.

I think you’re exactly right. There are 2 reasons cards are still in their holders. Either they will grade less in a legitimate holder or they will not pass authentication. There is no reason to keep a card of significant value in their holder because most people won’t look at it. You have to judge the card as though it was raw - because it may as well be.

[Pilot172000]

I have a GAI 2 graded T206 Bresnahan Portrait I got pretty cheap. The card wouldn't grade a 2 anywhere else IMHO, but I wanted a GAI card holder just for fun and its labelled 1st graded so Ill keep it in the slab.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Yastrzemski Sports

I think you’re exactly right. There are 2 reasons cards are still in their holders. Either they will grade less in a legitimate holder or they will not pass authentication. There is no reason to keep a card of significant value in their holder because most people won’t look at it. You have to judge the card as though it was raw - because it may as well be.

Or because someone is too lazy/cheap to regrade a VG T206 common....

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by steve B

Or because someone is too lazy/cheap to regrade a VG T206 common....

I have quite a few early '60s Hall of Famers that are mid-grade (mostly GAI 5s and 6s). They were bought back when GAI was on a par with the other TPGs.

It's not that I'm too lazy to re-grade them... it's more that I care lots more about the card than the inconsequential slab. I would rather judge the card to my standards than have a stranger do it. I suppose that when it comes time to sell, I should consider re-grading, but am not sure it's really worth the cost of doing so.

Instead of coughing up the money to an entity I dislike, I might rather just crack the cards out, and sell them as raw through Greg Morris.

[Leon]

As others have said, there is almost no (good) reason to have a card in a GAI holder today. It will devalue them.

Originally Posted by Stampsfan

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I did a search and could not come up with a definitive answer.

I am wondering about GAI graded cards. I have seen references here about how they were once reliable, but evolved into not being so. In another recent thread, Peter Spaeth indicated "This was GAI's failure despite the excellence of Mike Baker as a grader...".

Can anyone provide details around such?
Is there a way (number sequence) to tell if a GAI graded card can be "more trusted" than another series of numbers? Any details around why?
What is the danger of trimmed or re-colored cards with GAI?

Looking more for informed details, not opinions such as "Don't trust any GAI".

Thanks in advance.