Help understanding psa grading

[swarmee]

At that low of grade, the centering probably played very little part. If it was a PSA 4 and the rest of the card was PSA 8 worthy, you could chalk it up to centering. A Fair card would not be much higher with better centering.

TPG's grading is inaccurate and not consistent being the personal opinion of the person employed by a TPG which means nothing ! Its a non regulated Industry that has no one to answer to, but still all the sheep waste their money getting cards graded

[Kzoo]

Like Pete suggested, if those white spots are paper loss, the highest grade it would have received in my experiences would be a 2. Still good eye appeal and a good example why folks should buy the card and not the holder.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Kzoo

Like Pete suggested, if those white spots are paper loss, the highest grade it would have received in my experiences would be a 2. Still good eye appeal and a good example why folks should buy the card and not the holder.

They will. That card should get a premium for the grade if put up for auction. If a BIN, I would ask a premium and more than likely get it.

[packs]

Mine is a 1.5 too. Yours looks accurately graded:

[scmavl]

I would also say it was fairly graded. While it wouldn't be out of place in a 2 holder, I think 1.5 is an accurate grade. Those Goudey's color flakes off and it kills the grade.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by scmavl

I would also say it was fairly graded. While it wouldn't be out of place in a 2 holder, I think 1.5 is an accurate grade. Those Goudey's color flakes off and it kills the grade.

And they have never been kind to paper loss. I know it's a matter or personal preference, but I rather have the off center one with paper loss, than the centered one with the big crease down it. But don't get me wrong....both of them are fine cards.

[Hankphenom]

I've never understood the PSA and other TPGs' scale at either ends. The lower end is much too loose, in my opinion--I always haul out the same example, in this case that pretty 1 Gehrig gets the exact same grade as one run over repeatedly by a tank in the mud. At the other end, if the human eye cannot detect any imperfections above a 4, what are the other six grades for? I'll tell you what they're for: to create a lucrative market at the high end for dealers and auction houses to satisfy their rich OCD clients' obsessions. And gosh, who do you think the TPGs get most of their business from (with big discounts for the quantities involved)? That's right, it's the dealers and auction houses that will take those artificial grades and make fortunes off them. Meanwhile, collectors now must get all their cards graded (at retail) and pay multiples for the same cards they were collecting before the TPGs came along. But hey, let's give credit where credit's due: what a great game these guys have created for themselves! One last blast: if you have a 10-point grading scale, shouldn't elementary mathematics suggest that the difference between each grade be approximately equal? The problem with that though, is that if everybody could distinguish with their own eyes between a 9 and a 10, or a 1 and a 2, or even a 5 and a 6, who needs the TPGS and their mystical behind-the-curtains magic? And that is the actual situation that existed in the card market until they managed to throw it over, whereby the P-Mint scale was easily grasped and more or less abided by collectors and dealers alike. Differences in opinion were worked out in the marketplace.

[packs]

I agree and I actually think the lower end grades are absurd in many ways. My card was obviously not in the worst condition it could be in.

The other night a 51 Bowman Mantle with a hole punch in it sold. This card was graded a 1. It had a hole punched into it. My card has a crease down the middle and it sits at the same grade as a card with a hole punched in it.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

I've never understood the PSA and other TPGs' scale at either ends. The lower end is much too loose, in my opinion--I always haul out the same example, in this case that pretty 1 Gehrig gets the exact same grade as one run over repeatedly by a tank in the mud. At the other end, if the human eye cannot detect any imperfections above a 4, what are the other five grades for? I'll tell you what they're for: to create a lucrative market at the high end for dealers and auction houses to satisfy their rich OCD clients' obsessions. And gosh, who do you think the TPGs get most of their business from (with big discounts for the quantities involved)? That's right, it's the dealers and auction houses that will take those artificial grades and make fortunes off them. Meanwhile, collectors now must get all their cards graded (at retail) and pay multiples for the same cards they were collecting before the TPGs came along. But hey, let's give credit where credit's due: what a great game these guys have created for themselves! One last blast: if you have a 10-point grading scale, shouldn't elementary mathematics suggest that the difference between each grade be approximately equal? The problem with that though, is that if everybody could distinguish with their own eyes between a 9 and a 10, or a 1 and a 2, or even a 5 and a 6, who needs the TPGS and their mystical behind-the-curtains magic? And that is the actual situation that existed in the card market until they managed to throw it over, whereby the P-Mint scale was easily grasped and more or less abided by collectors and dealers alike. Differences in opinion were worked out in the marketplace.

Hank's post really sums up my beliefs as well. There's way to much variance across the lower grades (1 - 3). And it is way too minute between the higher grades (7 - 10). Their scale is ridiculous and makes no sense.

I would wholeheartedly support a TPG that administered even increments from 1 to 10, based on actual condition and eye-appeal. Or better yet, a TPG that simply slabs the card as authentic or not with no numerical grade, so the collector can determine for themselves. I really wish a service like this would come along.

[MikeGarcia]

Originally Posted by packs

Mine is a 1.5 too. Yours looks accurately graded:

..mine was downgraded because half the printing on the back is absolute gibberish..

..

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by MikeGarcia

..mine was downgraded because half the printing on the back is absolute gibberish..

..

LOL...That's French!!! Look at all the Gehrig's!!!!