How do you estimate price on altered cards in big auctions?

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Posted By: anthony

I was looking through the Mastro site at all the awesome stuff that I can't afford and noticed that there are a few items that have seemingly low opening bids for items that are altered some how (trimmed, re-touched, etc.) but graded "authentic" by one of the big 3 grading companies.

I was wondering how you guys who regularly bid in Mastro's gauge the price a card could fetch? for example:

Let's say there is a SGC graded "authentic" card of Ty Cobb Red Portrait that looks like a 5 or 6 but is trimmed with an opening bid of maybe $500. Typically it might bring in excess of $3-4k but now that it is trimmed how would someone not overpay? would 50% or 25% of normal price be a good estimate? or...?

(I have checked out the t206.net site already)

thanks for input!

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Posted By: EcardCollector

I think it has to do with the rarity and demand of the issue. I have never seen a formula to calculate an "Auth" grade. They vary to greatly from card to card to really set a standard on IMO.

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Posted By: warshawlaw

If it is a crease removed that leaves a mark, I just grade it as creased, so vg at best.

if we are talking about a removal that leaves a mark (like a pencil mark); fair to good if on the back of a blank-backed card, fair if on the back of a card with back printingt, poor condition if on the front.

If we are talking about restoration like the T206 Plank: I would not value a card like that at any more than a few percent of the near mint value of the card, regardless of rarity. I'd rather have a poor condition card, warts and all, than a card with rebuilt corners, color added, and so forth.

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Posted By: peter chao

Dear Guys,

There's a market for restored old paintings. But there has never been a market for restored baseball cards. However, it seems like the auction houses are intent on trying to create a market for restored baseball cards. I don't like the trend at all.

Peter