What do you look for in low graded cards?

[atx840]

Cheap price.

: )

I dislike creases and pl on the front. Next is decent registration and overall clean looking.

Corners aren't a big concern.

[rainier2004]

No paper loss, pieces missing, pin holes, writing, trimming or rips.

Corners, edges and staining are no problem.

Overall color/brightness and registration have become my most important qualities in determining eye appeal for my cards. Centering usually has to be 0/100 to bother me.

[birdman42]

Cards that have received a low grade from a TPG (third-party grader) but that still look nice. There was an N167 Ewing posted recently that got hit by the grader because of slight scrapbook gum on the back. I just picked up a 1914 Cracker Jack that graded a poor because of I'm not sure what exactly. There are lots like that out there, in almost every set.

As Leon said, cards with a little damage or glue on blank backs are great buys. Check out the grades on lots of Old Judge N172s and you'll see what I mean; beautiful images with a little glue or writing on the back get clobbered.

But most of all, collect what you enjoy! Get a few cards in hand and you'll see soon enough what bugs you and what doesn't.

Bill

[Eric72]

For me, a clean and fairly well centered front with sharp registration and bold, unfaded colors is key. Paper loss on the back (as well as writing, print spots, or other, "marks," which I simply do not mind...it gives the card a modicum of character, in my humble opinion) or corner wear do not bother me nearly as much.

If the TPGs lower the card's grade for the aforementioned reasons, and I can pick it up on my current budget, I am a much more interested buyer.

Best Regards,

Eric

[Chris-Counts]

I actually go out of my way to look for low graded cards. Here are a few of my favorites. All were busted out of slabs marked 1s, 2s and 3s ...

[SushiX37]

I agree with Leon. I'm ok with paper loss on the back if the front is centered and has good color.

[DeanH3]

Centering and registration top my list. I like to avoid creases but light corner wrinkles are ok. This card is a perfect example for me. Centered with great color and registration. The light corner wrinkle does not bother me at all.

[AMBST95]

I really get freaked out by centering and creases. The rest is part of the lower grade, IMO, but major creases and very bad centering are real downers to me. I go back and look at things in my collection and find that I want to upgrade all of the time because I thought I could live with a centering issue or a crease and then it just drives me nuts.