The word "Graded" as is applies to PSA & SGC item titles

[drcy]

Actually, now that I think of it, I have heard collectors use the term "number graded." Type graders saying they want the rare card in any condition as long as it will be assigned a "number grade" (1-10), meaning it is unaltered.

There you go. Problem solved. Now we can move on and debate Peace in the Middle East and the theoretical possibility of cold fusion.

"But, David, you haven't actually solved the debate, but compartmentalized the issue and put the Authentic in another room."
"Shut up."

Immanuel Kant said that many arguments are not caused by disagreement over the main ideas, but that the arguers unknowingly define terms differently. Once the parties mutually set the definitions (which they didn’t do in the beginning), they are often surprised to discover how much they agree with each other.

Which leads us to So then, If a Tree Falls When No One's Around Does It Make a Sound or Doesn't It?

[HRBAKER]

I think I'll crack out the "Critique of Pure Reason."

[drcy]

When I was little and would ask if something was "a" or "b," my professor dad would say "There may be other possibilities" or "It might not be an either/or. It might be a both/and."

Now you know where I got it from.

[botn]

Neither SGC nor PSA list Authentic on their list of "grades" however I think most collectors consider a card in a holder as graded even if the outcome is Authentic.

Not all card assessed as Authentic are altered. Cards which are larger or smaller than the factory specs, for instance, will get encapsulated with an A, if the submitter wants. And not all cards assessed with an A are NM or better. I see more that are chewed up.

[drcy]

Originally Posted by botn

Neither SGC nor PSA list Authentic on their list of "grades" however I think most collectors consider a card in a holder as graded even if the outcome is Authentic.

Not all card assessed as Authentic are altered. Cards which are larger or smaller than the factory specs, for instance, will get encapsulated with an A, if the submitter wants. And not all cards assessed with an A are NM or better. I see more that are chewed up.

And many autographed card submitters looking for the "A" don't even ask for or want a number grade, but just designation that the card (and autograph) is authentic.

[botn]

Originally Posted by drcy

And many autographed card submitters looking for the "A" don't even ask for or want a number grade, but just designation that the card (and autograph) is authentic.

Great point. I vaguely recall in the very early days of grading there had even been a discussion to not assign a numerical grade but to simply assess the card for authenticity. It was suggested that using a numerical grade distracted from the main purpose of assessing cards--to determine if they were altered. Anyone else recall that?