Is this real Mantle RC?

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

My big question is why is that only a 5.5? Seems like that would be higher based on what I can see. That would be my red flag

There are 5-range cards that look like 3's, and then some that look more like 7's that were undergraded. It's difficult because EX is a catch-all middle grade. If the corners and centering are really nice, the card might have a difficult to spot surface problem that reduced it, or something else on the back. I've seen vintage cards that look like they should be given 8's or 9's based on centering and corners graded 5 due to very light surface wrinkles - yes, even on the front. They aren't supposed to do that, but I've seen it.

You would probably need more detailed scans, or to inspect it in person to see precisely why that one graded what it did. But I would agree just from that one scan, it looks fantastic for the grade assigned and not like a garden variety 5.5. Congrats if you pick it up!

[samosa4u]

I see the card up on eBay.

Click on this seller's feedback and then click "Received as a seller." You will see that he only deals in modern cards. Does he know his vintage cards? If somebody switched that Mantle card, would he be able to catch it?

I bought a PSA 5 this year, but I got it from a person who has sold many high-end vintage cards before, so I was very comfortable dealing with him.