Non Big Three Grading Companies in 2024

[Johnny630]

I think PWCC is getting some done by that guy who puts those little diamond stickers on Cards to say whether raw cards are authentic or not.

I wonder if any other auction houses will come up with their grading services?

[ClementeFanOh]

Drew- I just bought an HGA (Hybrid Grade Approach) graded 1977 Topps
Paul Molitor rookie at a show last week. A dealer there other than the one
I bought the Molitor from, had for sale approximately 30 HGA graded cards
as well. I like the Molitor and think they got it exactly right at 7.5. This
company may be the droid you are seeking

I have also owned a couple CSG graded cards and transacted them with
other collectors, and I agreed with the grades on those cards. Speaking
exclusively about grading accuracy, the sample size I've seen is no worse
than PSA's accuracy, and is likely better (although that's not a high bar
to climb).

These are the only 2 I've experimented with in the past year. They clearly
lack the popularity of the Big 3 up to this point; however, I think the same
logic with their cards applies to that of dealing with the Big 3- buy the card,
not the holder.

Trent King

[raulus]

Definitely see plenty of vintage CSG out there. Although admittedly it tends to be postwar midgrade stuff. I suspect that most submitters haven’t really warmed up to the idea of high grade and high value pieces in CSG holders, aside from that one time a 311 Mantle was graded by CSG, and even then there was a whole lot of guessing that it might have been the CSG owners who were trying to promote their brand.

[notfast]

Id 100% rather have CSG vintage than BVG/BGS at this point. I think this year we see CSG pass Beckett into the top 3.

[Svabinsky78]

CSG does have the nicest slabs and the vintage cards in CSG slabs I do own, I feel have been properly graded. CSG though (now CGC) has mainly a niche in Pokemon and comic cards. For sports cards, I've mostly seen CSG,CGC associated with modern,/ultra modern, not so much vintage.

I do personally like BVG, but I know that I am in the minority. The BVG slabbed cards I own are properly graded, in some cases undergraded IMO, and I like the feel of the slabs. For some reasons beyond my comprehension, Beckett has turned into a leper.

[swarmee]

CSG/CGC got a lot of vintage submissions when COMC opened up bulk grading submissions to them, but then they all but dried up when COMC started offering PSA grading submissions a few months later.
However, I've been pleased with my submissions to CSG, and hope they add some larger sized holders soon.

[Leon]

I think the CGC (formerly CSG) larger holders will be a bit of a game changer, for vintage, when they start shipping. Hopefully that will be in the next 30-60 days.
All of my submissions go to them already and I can't wait for those holders. They might have to hire more graders!
(note the flip wording...very cool)

Originally Posted by swarmee

CSG/CGC got a lot of vintage submissions when COMC opened up bulk grading submissions to them, but then they all but dried up when COMC started offering PSA grading submissions a few months later.
However, I've been pleased with my submissions to CSG, and hope they add some larger sized holders soon.

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by notfast

Id 100% rather have CSG vintage than BVG/BGS at this point. I think this year we see CSG pass Beckett into the top 3.

Yep - Totally Agree

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Drew- I just bought an HGA (Hybrid Grade Approach) graded 1977 Topps
Paul Molitor rookie at a show last week.

A 1977 Topps Molitor rookie? Now that I'd like to see!

[Snowman]

I'm a big fan of CGC holders for my PC. I'd probably send them everything if I never cared about resale value. I hope they continue to make more inroads into the vintage space (or just sports cards in general).

Although if SGC were to ever come out with a new holder that is similar to the CGC one, in addition to their current holder, giving collectors a choice, then I would probably never send another card to any other TPG ever again.

[Snowman]

As far as any "AI" grading options making its way to the vintage sector, I see that as highly unlikely. I work in AI, I'm a data scientist, and I'll spare you the details but grading vintage cards accurately through any sort of automation or "AI" process is much more difficult than grading ultra modern cards. I'm not convinced that "AI" will ever outperform human grading in this hobby. But I've been wrong before.

[Exhibitman]

Where CGC has a real opportunity is with sub-$500 cards. Sending cheaper cards to PSA is cost-prohibitive. Their prices eat up too much of the margin for resale.

One thing I tested about GCG is slab toughness and they pass. Opening those suckers is hard work. I had to cut off a lot of the top before I could get a screwdriver in the gap and crack it the rest of the way.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Snowman

As far as any "AI" grading options making its way to the vintage sector, I see that as highly unlikely. I work in AI, I'm a data scientist, and I'll spare you the details but grading vintage cards accurately through any sort of automation or "AI" process is much more difficult than grading ultra modern cards. I'm not convinced that "AI" will ever outperform human grading in this hobby. But I've been wrong before.

Curious if you think any of the big three are using it now. My guess is yes, but more so for identification and sizing of cards, not for grading.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

Curious if you think any of the big three are using it now. My guess is yes, but more so for identification and sizing of cards, not for grading.

No, they're definitely not using it to grade cards. None of them. PSA is using it currently to detect counterfeit cards though.