Beautiful Low Grade Cards

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by Northviewcats

Just back from SGC. I have graded cards with creases in them that got higher grades then these two beauties.

Boy Joe, I really don't get that. They look so good. Even if there are creases we aren't seeing they should grade higher than that.

[Big Six]

I have a few NM graded cards that aren't this nice...no creases, no marks, no paper loss that I can see, clean back...the "lines" on the front are on the slab, not the card.

[tbob]

I have a slew of 1910 Obaks which look like they came from the Black Swamp Find and which are graded as 40s and 50s. Granted they were graded back when SGC was knocking grades down for the purple numbers stamped on the back 100 years ago but c'mon!!!!

[Northviewcats]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

Boy Joe, I really don't get that. They look so good. Even if there are creases we aren't seeing they should grade higher than that.

Thanks David for the observation. They are very sharp cards.

There are no creases on the either card, but the cards were removed from an album, so they were probably docked for some slight glue stain or residue on the back that you cannot see unless the card is under magnification. I don't see any flaws, front or back, now, or when I submitted the cards for grading. I also have an ungraded Gehringer on the BST that I didn't send in for grading because you can barely see some light glue residue when you turn the card in the light.

My beef is that cards with creases on them, or major stains, or corners that are rounded often get grades that are higher than the grades given to all of the beautiful cards displayed on this thread. For example, I have a E93 Hal Chase with two huge creases on the front, and visible caramel stains on the back that PSA graded a 4. It doesn't display well next to my Greenburg & Ott, but it will probably sell for more than both cards put together because of the grade.

As for my two Diamond Stars, I'm just happy to have them in my collection even with the low grade. I just think it is unfortunate that grading companies don't take the overall appearance of a card as the main consideration when assigning a grade. Instead they seem to use a checklist approach that docks each card for minor flaws even though overall appearance of the card is outstanding. In the grading company's defense they are trying to be objective. I'm sure that they try to be as fair as possible.

Best regards,

Joe

[joeadcock]

Though PSA 4 not a real low grade, card looks so much better

[Ladder7]

Terrific Wags Darin

[h2oya311]

those darned pinholes on Simmons...and some back damage on Youngs...and some paper loss on front of Yaz...

I love cards that get low technical grades but are beautiful to the eye. Well, let me re-phrase that - - I love cards that get low technical grades but are beautiful to the eye WHEN I'M THE BUYER!!