Opinions on PSA 9 Cobb

[Rhotchkiss]

I once purchased (and owned) the card pictured below. Once in hand, I became concerned it was “short.” I tried to cross it over to SGC, and I requested a minimum grade of 6, because I preferred the card stay in a BVG 7.5 flip to an SGC A flip. SGC did not cross it, claiming it did not achieve minimum grade. My skepticism increased (this is a good looking card).

I then took it to the philly show and showed it to several experts-friends and auction houses. The unanimous consensus was that the card “had to remain in the BVG flip”. Three strikes confirmed: the card was short (and likely so from trimming). I ended up strongly requesting that the asshole who sold me the card (I am convinced he knew it was short) buy it back from me for $1000 less than I paid (yes, I lost a grand), and he did. Good riddance.

This PSA 9 Cobb reminds me of my old, short BVG Cobb (mine was short on bottom; the PSA 9 looks short on top and maybe a bit on bottom). The main difference is that mine resided, and had to remain, in a BVG flip, a less desirable flip, and the current Cobb 9 was lucky enough to get into a PSA flip; (for some reason) the most desirable flip. If this PSA 9 Cobb sat in a BVG 9 flip, it would sell for substantially less and it would need to remain in the BVG flip if it wanted a number grade.

Few takeaways, and one thought: first, I have never bought another card from that dealer and never will. Second, I have since never purchased another card in a BVG flip that is older than 2000, and the ones newer than 2000 I have bought are cards my kids wanted. Third, I am very sensitive to cards that are short, and this PSA 9 looks short (I doubt BVG would cross it ).

Finally, ethically, I think Heritage is perfectly fine to auction the card and to tout it as a PSA 9- indeed, that’s exactly what it is. Unless Heritage has proof that it is short/altered, I believe they are ethically ok to auction what is consigned to them, and to describe it as what it is - a PSA 9 Cobb. That said, I would take care in the description bc they should not make reps or opinions (like PWCC) beyond what PSA has determined. I think it’s best if they simply stated something like “PSA 9 Cobb bat off. Enough said”