Card Authentication

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Posted By: Chad

I've come back to the hobby recently and it seems the card grading companies have really taken over the business. I like that you can get a card authenticated, especially since ebay has become so popular, but I'm not crazy about the grading service, or the ugly plastic holders they put the cards in. Is there a service that allows you to get a card authenticated without a grade? I think I'd prefer that. And do any of them have less obstrusive holders. A nice clean, sealed top loader with maybe a micro-etched serial number would be ideal. Or am I just another starry eyed dreamer?

BTW. Just bought a couple of 1951 Japanese bromide cards of Booker McDaniels and John Brittain from Rob's Japanese Baseball Cards and the service was the best I've ever had. Just thought I'd throw a plug in for him here because I'm still floored by how gracious he was.

--Chad

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Posted By: Julie

http://www.prestigecollectibles.com> also good for Japanese cards.

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Posted By: Josh K.

The best looking slabs, IMO, are SGC and GAI. SGC seems preferred by most people on this board for grading vintage cards. There are no slabs as simple as you describe - a top loader w/o more would allow some dishonest sellers to switch poorer condition cards (or worse) for the card that had been authenticated. I do believe GAI has a "pregrade" service where they will put the card in a top loader with a GAI label across (and sealing) the top. The label assigns an expected grade should you get the card slabbed. Im not sure if that service is only available at shows or if you can send cards in for it as well.

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Posted By: Myron

I think SGC's holders look the best, especially with the black background. As far as grading goes, I agree with you. I have nothing against grading companies. If I had a choice between bidding on a graded card and a non-graded card, I'd go for the graded because I'd know it was authentic. But, this business about paying more for a card because it's been graded is stupid. Do people realize that they're paying more for an attribute that the card should have anyway? When you look up a card in a price guide, those market values are for authentic cards. So, why am I going to pay NMT market value for a VG or Ex card just because a grading company says it's authentic? It doesn't make any sense.