Do you agree with PSA on this card?

[novakjr]

It could just be the scan, but the top edger appears to be a little more crisp than the others. Anyways, altered could mean any number of things. Maybe the card was touched up, chemically cleaned? It may have even been pressed and then trimmed all around, so that it still met the size requirements. Hell, it may have simply been pressed so that the corners and edges looked better, without having to trim it. Those last two could be very hard to tell with it still being slabbed.

I'll go with the Chief on this one though, crack it and re-submit. What have you got to lose?

[npa589]

Thanks for the info - I never thought of it being pressed. Never really knew that as a possibility (I'm new to this to say the least).

I think it is definitely the scan. I might use my camera when I get home and put it on a picture hosting site so that you can see it in more detail.


Thanks for all the comments - much appreciated.

Nate

Originally Posted by novakjr

It could just be the scan, but the top edger appears to be a little more crisp than the others. Anyways, altered could mean any number of things. Maybe the card was touched up, chemically cleaned? It may have even been pressed and then trimmed all around, so that it still met the size requirements. Hell, it may have simply been pressed so that the corners and edges looked better, without having to trim it. Those last two could be very hard to tell with it still being slabbed.

I'll go with the Chief on this one though, crack it and re-submit. What have you got to lose?

[scottglevy]

Top edge looks a bit concerning to me. Esp. the top left corner. Bottom of the card and sides look fine. I'm in the 'what do you have to lose' camp though.

Even though I'd bet it's trimmed....it's certainly worth the very minimal cost for a second opinion. Just make sure to crack the card out of the case first to get a fair eval.

Best,
Scott

P.S. One way to know a bit better is to see if the 'natural roll' of the paper (vs. a choppy inconsistency border or edge) appears on the card.

[JamesGallo]

I know the card market does not like any restor work, but I doubt a professional pressing could be detected. The comic grading company CGC can not detect when a comic is pressed so I see no reason why PSA could.

I would suspect a chemical cleaning if it is not trimmed. I would say crack it bring it to SGC at a show to do on site grading if they think it was altered you can at least find out what they think is wrong by asking the graders.

James G

[David W]

Doesn't PSA say why they think it is altered when they slab it?

[lharri3600]

Nope,
sgc and beckett puts a sticker on telling you what the problem is. Psa should do the same. That way they can save themselves from harsh remarks from submitters.

Originally Posted by david w

doesn't psa say why they think it is altered when they slab it?

[bunst]

sgc and beckett puts a sticker on telling you what the problem is. Psa should do the same. That way they can save themselves from harsh remarks from submitters

Really? A card I just got back from SGC as Authentic gave no explanation what was wrong. Would be nice to know so that I can see the problem for myself.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by JamesGallo

I know the card market does not like any restor work, but I doubt a professional pressing could be detected. The comic grading company CGC can not detect when a comic is pressed so I see no reason why PSA could.

I would suspect a chemical cleaning if it is not trimmed. I would say crack it bring it to SGC at a show to do on site grading if they think it was altered you can at least find out what they think is wrong by asking the graders.

James G

I think they test the thickness of the stock. A professionally pressed card would still be thinner all around.

[JamesGallo]

Originally Posted by novakjr

I think they test the thickness of the stock. A professionally pressed card would still be thinner all around.

Seriously you think PSA tests the thickness of a card!!!


First, off how the hell do they do that??

Second, how do they know it was't soaked and sitting under a pile of books.

Third, I really don't think it would be thinner, perhaps since it is layered paper but I really don't see any way PSA could test this.

James G

[steve B]

Originally Posted by JamesGallo

Seriously you think PSA tests the thickness of a card!!!


First, off how the hell do they do that??

Second, how do they know it was't soaked and sitting under a pile of books.

Third, I really don't think it would be thinner, perhaps since it is layered paper but I really don't see any way PSA could test this.

James G

Very simply. Digital readout calipers are down to $20 now, and under $100 for a really nice one. In the old days a micrometer would have been used. same as the paper mills do to ensure consistent quality.

Given a good sampling of known original cards it would be easy to establish a proper range of thickness just like there's a proper size range.

I have a caliper, and I could probably get a hard number based on my collection if anyones really interested.

Steve B