Authentic vs. SGC 10 / PSA 1

[shimozukawa]

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[Zach Wheat]

Joe,

I think it depends upon the set and the extent of alteration. In general I would prefer a numerical grade but certainly don't mind picking up "authentic" cards with great eye appeal....particularly with certain sets like N172's (Old Judge's)etc. I purchased 4 N172's that I suspected were skinned/re-backed but they had such great eye appeal I didn't mind.

M Wheat

[bh3443]

Hello Everyone,
It's great to be back so here's my first post in a while:

I'm not really a fan of the A grade, however I can see it has a purpose.
I just feel that in most cases an A grade is just an expensive holder for the card or a way to keep your set all in the same holders.

I have plenty of low grade cards with a 1 or 2 grade, and have even done a project like the 1954 Topps #1 Ted Williams (one of my favorite cards) that I own in PSA 1 thru 4!

There are plenty of cards out there that i can only afford a PSA 1 or 2, but i'd prefer a number than a letter!


Take care,
Bill Hedin

[steve B]

I don't mind lower grade cards. I've slowed on buying low grade t206s but only because I can usually afford a VG one that I'll like better.

But most of my "better" cards are in pretty bad condition.

A grades are a gray area for me, if the card looks nice, I don't see much problem as long as the price is appropriate. I've sent in a few for grading, but only ones that I think are nicer. I've had 2 came back ungraded, both miscut. I'm glad I didn't get them slabbed as "A" because sometimes it's only taken to mean trimmed. Someday maybe they'll allow a bit more leeway with the size, one of the ungraded ones was short by less than one that got a grade was narrow.

I do have a couple cards that I bought that I believe are trimmed. I won't bother grading them, but I'm still happy with the look of them. And for the more expensive cards I wouldn't rule out a card slabbed A.

Steve B

[novakjr]

I don't think people are sending in cards and saying "I hope I get a 1 or 2". While a 1 or 2 is better than an Authentic, that Authentic card often times may have way better eye appeal. At any means, it's my belief that low grade cards are sent in generally for the sake of Authentication anyways. Or just to be able to list a card on a set registry, even if it simply be for filler(In which case there's a huge difference between A, 1 and 2). Flippers are a different story that I won't really go into.

Since you're referring to t206's, I'll stick with them as an example. I, and I'm sure many others on lower budgets, mainly collect whatever we can get on the cheap, usually raw. A graded example will occasionally come into play, but it's generally only because the price is right, and it's nice to have one that's authenticated. In that case, there's really not much of a difference between A, 1 or 2(or even raw), just the fact that it's authentic is really all that matters.

Anyways, if you're working on t206 set. I'd suggest compiling as many as you can get, for as little to start, and worry about condition and upgrades later. As long as you never pay more than you think you can get in return, (just in case you ever do decide to upgrade), you can never go wrong with any purchase...