PSA 6 vs. PSA 8(OC)

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Below are two T206 Frank Chance, Red Portraits. One is a PSA 6 that sold in a Memory Lane auction 5/6/17 for $1,365. The other is a PSA 8(oc) that sold in a Heritage auction 5/11/17 for $1,020. Both are common backs (although the SC 350, 25 on the PSA 8(oc) is actually a pretty tough back). In my opinion, the PSA 6 is less OC than the PSA 8, but no doubt off-center, and the bottom right corner is terrible. In my opinion, the card in the (old) PSA 6 flip, really is no more than a 4. The PSA 8 card, while extremely OC, is, in my opinion, a much cleaner card, with big wide borders and sharp corners. In my opinion, the PSA 8(oc) card is superior in quality to the PSA 6.

Same card, same general sales date. HOWEVER, the PSA 6, which I think should be a 4, sold for $350 (25% times) more than the card in the PSA 8(oc) flip. Why? Because having the "oc" designation on the flip is the kiss of death for the card -- its small pox! The market despises cards with an OC on the flip.

Sure, maybe I picked a card in a vacuum. So lets look at a more objective example. Below is a PSA 8(oc) T206 Red Cobb portrait that sold in Steiner sports auction on 5/6/18 for $12,105. Also attached is a screen shot of VCP's listing for PSA 6 Red Cobbs - every one of the last 3 of which sold for more than PSA 8(oc); maybe not 25% more in every case.

Bottom line - the market place hates an "oc" flip. If someone is going to spend fairly large money on a card, seems that money is better spent on a 6 with no qualifier (even if inferior -- like Chance) than on an 8 with an "oc" on the flip.

The question of this thread is whether you would rather have a PSA 6 or a PSA 8(oc). The marketplace prefers the PSA 6. I am a pure collector and I strongly prefer the PSA 6 and would not spend a single cent on any card with an "oc" on the flip, regardless of the grade that precedes it.

Agree with this and I think the empirical data suggests that an OC qualifier does not cause the card to be valued two levels lower, but more like three. I also think that the detriment of the qualifier varies based on how bad the miscut is. Some OC cards look no different than a badly centered card without the qualifier; most just look like shit.

[Leon]

At the end of the day it is "us" who make the decision to buy or not. Screw anything on the flip. If you like the card buy it and if not, don't. Personally I don't like OC cards whether on the flip or not. I collect cards for their aesthetics (among other things), others buy for their technical grades. It is a personal choice on how we collect but, as mentioned often lately, the hobby is moving a bit more towards buying the card and not the paper above it with a totally subjective opinion.
There isn't a right or wrong way to collect but it is true the market doesn't like OC on a flip (as Ryan mentioned). This T205 has a small stain on back. No creases, no wrinkles, no chipping and no letters can't be read on back due to the small stain. It is a PSA 2. Who cares? I am just grateful for the stain . I guess if I collected flips I would be upset.

Originally Posted by calvindog

Agree with this and I think the empirical data suggests that an OC qualifier does not cause the card to be valued two levels lower, but more like three. I also think that the detriment of the qualifier varies based on how bad the miscut is. Some OC cards look no different than a badly centered card without the qualifier; most just look like shit.