SGC 100 vs. BGS/BVG 10 pristine

[srs1a]

I once had a great interest in SGC-graded '68 Topps. I had a large inventory of vending cards. At a high level, I did very well when I got them graded (years ago, when Derek Grady was the head grader) -- my records say I did something like 20+% MINT cards., most of the rest NM/MT+ and NM/MT. Out of something like 150 MINT cards, I got exactly 3 GEM-MINT cards.

I called my friend Sean Skeffington and asked WTF? He said that on"vintage" issues, they did not "look for GEM-MINT grades".

Now, how has this changed more recently, I cannot say. But, I can say that if you are looking for SGC-98's, I wouldn't look too far. I think -100's are limited to very modern cards.

[RGold]

I have made many submissions crossing hundreds of PSA 10 to SGC 98, all 1970 or later. Only 7 have graded SGC 100, and all were on the same submission.

Since there was nothing special about that particular group of cards, it seems to me that receiving the pristine vs gem mint grade was arbitrary.

(the greenish tint is from my scanner)

[Peter_Spaeth]

That card presents well for the grade.

[tjb1952tjb]

For what it's worth........here's my only SGC 100 Pristine card: