Heritage Auctions offering new "Best-in-Class" certification

[oldjudge]

Am I to understand that these stickers are given by HA to consigned pieces that they deem to be “Best in Class”? If so, to maintain an even playing field does LOTG, REA, etc also need their own “Best in Class” award? If not, who is making this determination?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Am I to understand that these stickers are given by HA to consigned pieces that they deem to be “Best in Class”? If so, to maintain an even playing field does LOTG, REA, etc also need their own “Best in Class” award? If not, who is making this determination?

Heritage has some experts on staff as well as a lot of other auction houses that will make determinations. It seems subjective but, if I see Best In Class, I am expecting great eye appeal for the item.

And an example of Best in Class (not in any auction)
.

[1880nonsports]

when SGC first started I had some N43's graded and I asked Brian D. the head grader (now running REA) if I could just get the cards entombed and given an authentic and unaltered notice. He actually laughed and told me no-one would want something like that. They probably didn't and don't - but I'm a sort of different person......

I'm always aware that the standards and practices of all the TPG's are subject to changes over time - the morphing of which must at some point alter the collectors perception of a grade.

(Perez Fan) "TPG grading should be going the exact opposite direction. Would love to see the emergence of a grading company that simply determines whether the card is authentic and unaltered. Forget the arbitrary contrived number... the card's owner can determine that for himself."

[Exhibitman]

Dean Wormer: This year is going to be different. This year we are going to grab the bull by the balls and assign our own jacked-up grades to cards.
Greg: What do you intend to do sir? The cards are already graded.
Dean Wormer: They are?
Greg: Yes, sir.
Dean Wormer: Oh. Then as of this moment, we will label them "Best-In-Class"!
Greg: Best-In-Class, sir?
Dean Wormer: There is a little-known codicil in the Heritage Auction rules which gives the director unlimited power to make up any nonsense he wants whenever it might make money off of suckers, er, bidders. Like phoney-baloney words: "extant", "ducat", "obverse", and so on, that make our auctions sound more important than they are. Collectors love stickers. They pay money for flips. They'll pay even more for flips AND stickers. Find me a sticker maker and a free graphics program and make a Best-In-Class sticker. Put Neidermeyer on it. He's a sneaky little shit, just like you, right? [Greg nods] The time has come for someone to make up some really stupid marketing nonsense. And that marketer is me!