Confused about grading vs. authenticating

[Archive]

Posted By: Plastic Dog

I think it would be permissible for SGC to grade some types of altered cards as an (SGC 10) POOR. Trimmed cards, skinned, bleached cards, and maybe a couple of other alterations (which don't add to the value - e.g. Snodgrass) seem likely candidates. Essentially examples where nothing has been added to the card (as opposed to rebacked Old Judges, restored Goudeys, retouched 1894-5 Mayos or 1971 Topps, etc.) might be permissible. Maybe even add a qualifier to the grade (e.g. SGC 10 TR for trimmed, BL for bleached, TR/SK for trimmed and skinned). I don't see much difference between these and a card that has been through the wash, had a big chunk ripped off, with writing on the back, and graded a 10.