Authnetic Grade - Why not a Number

[g_vezina_c55]

for me Auth = 0

[Taxman]

Authentic but beautiful

[skelly]

Personally, I'll take an authentic over a poor grade all day. I just think it sounds bad ( poor ) authentic is like well its real, but certainly not in great shape. This is speaking from a collecting standpoint. I realize that a poor grade card generally sells better than an authentic. I buy poor cards all the time and re-submit for the auth. grade.

[drc]

I think authentic means its altered or otherwise majorly damaged-- ala a big portion missing--, while a grade poor card has to be whole. With natural but significant wear it's a judgment call whether it falls into the authentic or poor camp, but the powers that be feel that the 1-10 grades apply to cards in their natural state and altered cards fall outside that system.

I agree with with the initial post's take. I think it's fair to call an 'authentic' card, even an altered one, poor. Though I've seen grade 1 cards, and there are different levels of poor.

In the end, any grading system involves arbitrariness.

[birdman42]

Because "Authentic" is the best description for cards like these that have had color added (on the back)
Bill

[steve B]

I'd love it if they started showing why it's an "A". I can understand not wanting to put a grade on a card with a funny cut or one that doesn't measure up the the min size, but those can be factory and lumping them together with trimmed or otherwise altered cards just doesn't seem "right".

I'd take odd but original over trimmed, and have a handul of each.


Steve B

[wazoo]

I actually have a question about trimming (not trying to hijack the thread). I bought a t206 a while back and it was deemed trimmed. Now this card is in great shape, and measures larger than it actually should be. I know that t206s can be larger and still be trimmed, but I'm just not seeing it with this card. Corners are crisp, edges and sides are straight, etc. Now I'm just wondering that either PSA made a mistake or the person just did an amazing trim job?

[Jay Wolt]

Originally Posted by steve B

I'd love it if they started showing why it's an "A".

I agree! TPG's occasionally list on the flip why its an authentic.
Be it trimmed, re-backed, color added or what have you.

SGC did list on the flip that this card was skinned, so why do it for some and not for others?