How important is CENTERING to you???

[nolemmings]

Depends on the card, but I'm kind of with your old buddy, Bob, or at least I was for years. I always separated factory mistakes from those caused by handling and wear, at least within reason (95/5 centering was always offputting, so too the print defects that give the player an extra eye or some huge abscess on his neck).

Lately though, I focus more on centering for all mainstream issues (I am extremely forgiving on back centering though). For example, I'm slooooooowly gathering Philly gum football sets, and will only buy very, very well centered cards. I could have completed these sets, even in my preferred grade of 8, if I ignored centering and just bought whatever came up for auction. Instead, I'm about half way on some, worse on others. Still, I know there are just so many of these out there that if I'm patient, I'll be happier with my set(s). If the corners are strong 8s but the card is not well centerd, I'll bide my time.

Prewar and scarcer items are a different story. There I grab what I can afford and worry about upgrades if and when I ever see the card again.

[Chris-Counts]

I'm probably in the minority, but I actually look for off-centered cards because I can usually get them for just a fraction of the price of a centered card. As long as some semblance of a border exists, or the card doesn't have a bad diamond cut, I'm okay with it.

[sox1903wschamp]

I value centering quite a bit on 50's and 60's cards. It seems that as the years go by I have to upgrade those 85/15's or worse to at least 60/40 especially side to side. Funny though, I can stand bad centering top to bottom if the border is on top but if there is little or no border on top, I can't stand it as I think the card looks terrible.

For pre-war I am more lenient and even more so if the card is rare.

In general, I will always value centering over sharp corners.

Nice topic, Thanks, Michael

[ChiefBenderForever]

I used to not care as much as I do now, but still don't mind as long as it isn't so outrageous. What I can't stand is the slanted off centering. If it is even borders I don't mind the off center. I have many nrmt cards off center and many exmt cards with soft corners dead centered. I guess I would rather have a nice centered card with soft corners instead of razor sharp corners off centered.

[Mrc32]

Centering for sure.

Cards were meant to be handled, so rough edges and softer corners are alright. I will always go for the centered card over razor sharp corners.