Authentic vs. SGC 10 / PSA 1

[novakjr]

I don't think people are sending in cards and saying "I hope I get a 1 or 2". While a 1 or 2 is better than an Authentic, that Authentic card often times may have way better eye appeal. At any means, it's my belief that low grade cards are sent in generally for the sake of Authentication anyways. Or just to be able to list a card on a set registry, even if it simply be for filler(In which case there's a huge difference between A, 1 and 2). Flippers are a different story that I won't really go into.

Since you're referring to t206's, I'll stick with them as an example. I, and I'm sure many others on lower budgets, mainly collect whatever we can get on the cheap, usually raw. A graded example will occasionally come into play, but it's generally only because the price is right, and it's nice to have one that's authenticated. In that case, there's really not much of a difference between A, 1 or 2(or even raw), just the fact that it's authentic is really all that matters.

Anyways, if you're working on t206 set. I'd suggest compiling as many as you can get, for as little to start, and worry about condition and upgrades later. As long as you never pay more than you think you can get in return, (just in case you ever do decide to upgrade), you can never go wrong with any purchase...