1968, 1969 & 1970 Topps Nolan Ryan -Sent to PSA - Post 26 PSA grades back*

[JollyElm]

For comparison sake, here are two Ryans I have laying around…

ryans.jpg

I know the scan quality isn't too great, but it's clear to see that both of your cards are in better shape than these. So, logically speaking, you should receive better grades on each of your cards…but who would ever think there's actually logic involved at the TPG's???

[swarmee]

Those cards were graded probably 10+ years ago based on the flips and the grading scale has gotten harder since then. However, I don't think the 1970 card in the first post would get an OC nowadays unless it was a 9(OC). It's not "that" off center, maybe 35/65. Even that would still barely qualify as 9 centering. So I'll upgrade my guess on the 1970 to an 8.

http://www.psacard.com/Services/PSAGradingStandards

Its just a number, and the inconsistency of grading. The question is how qualified are these people to grade cards, do they have a standard for each grade or is it how they feel on a particular day. Save your money.

[lgbbcards]

From the pics I see a 5 for the 1969 and a 6 for the 1970 Ryan

[murphy8276]

Thanks everyone for their opinions and thoughts on the cards.

It is a gamble either way when you send these in apparently and the grader determines the number they give with various outcomes.

I have never sent one into grading, but I think I will venture to do so with these 2 since it is more than likely a break even with some upside potentially if one gets lucky at 6.5 or higher. I will read on how to submit them unless someone has a general breakdown of the best method to do a first submission?


I originally had plans to run the nolan cards together. I have his rookie 1968 too along with this 69/70, but I believe the 68' is tilted a bit in appearance. It is sharp otherwise so I am not sure also what that would grade, but I figured it would be smart to grade that regardless being his rookie so I didn't bother to post it.

[swarmee]

Well, since you're just submitting three cards, you are probably fine just doing a non-member submission for three cards at the regular submission cost of $17/each +S/I for cards valued up to $500 each (ungraded). They will take a while to log into their system (~5 business days), but get graded within 10 business days and be mailed back to you priority mail with insurance.

If you just had the '69 and '70 Ryan, I would have you wait for someone going on a group bulk submission special or offer to send them in for you on my next bulk submission of 1956+ cards. But with the rookie, just send them all in.

Or... if you think this is going to become a "thing" for you like it has for me, you should join the PSA Collector's Club for either the 6 free grades or 15 free grades. That gives you the ability to get cards graded under the bulk submission rates at $6-7 a card, but they take up to months to complete.

[swarmee]

As to your Ryan rookie card, PSA doesn't downgrade much for "tilt" unless it causes the off-center parameters to be exceeded for a grade. Your cards with tilt won't qualify for the half-point bumps within a grade (like 7.5 instead of 7) for having good eye-appeal normally around highly centered cards.

You may want to post your '68 Ryan anyways, since 1) people like to see them, and 2) it might actually be a Milton Bradley version.

[JollyElm]

If you're looking to trade the '68, then definitely check out my bucket. All sorts of good stuff there.