PSA 6 Nolan Ryan Rookie For $500?

pjw77

Hi, I'm sure a similar question has been asked before, so my apologies if that's the case. I'm a junk-wax era kid who's getting back into the hobby after 35 years, and am shocked by how different everything is now and feel like I'm relearning everything, but it's been fun.

Question: I was at a sports card show this past weekend (the one at the Wildwoods Convention Center in N.J., for reference) and a vendor at a table was selling a slabbed PSA 6 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan/Jerry Koosman #177 Rookie Card for $500. My first reaction was that the card looked in way better condition than a 6, but that's another story. I verified the PSA Certification Number and corresponding photo on their app, and also saw that these 6's go for $1500+ (Two 6's went that same day for $2586 and $1625 at auction).

The vendor was an older guy and we made small-talk, but I didn't want to be rude and ask him why it's so cheap or doesn't he know he can can more for it (I'm still learning card show etiquette). There obviously could be many reasons for the $500 price: He's owned it originally and/or had it for years and looking for quick cash (which I'd guess cover the table costs and doubt he'd tell the I.R.S. about the sale); he's disappointed with the 6 grade and just looking to offload it; maybe he really didn't know what he had (but I doubt it); or maybe it's a fake (also doubt it, but you never know).

Any explanations? Thanks in advance. I appreciate it.

vols1

Grading standards have changed. Yesterday's 6 maybe todays 4! Look at the card not the grade.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WAIZf42GkCo

Harnessracing

Should of bought it

HOMETOWNSPORTS

@vols1 said:
Grading standards have changed. Yesterday's 6 maybe todays 4! Look at the card not the grade.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WAIZf42GkCo

NOPE standards are NOT suppose to change with time...for example is yesterdays 1 lb todays 1/2 lb?...obviously NO....Now is TODAYs PSA 4 tomorrows PSA 2...IT should NOT and NEVER BE...DO YOU SEE WHAT I"M SAYING????

PaulMaul

We all wish it were possible that grading could be that cut and dry, but it is not and never has been. It is simply a fact that more leeway was given on centering 15 years ago than was given five years ago or now. Buyers need to factor that into their decisions, unfortunately that's the best we can do.

bgr

Lost in this is the assertion that "standards are NOT supposed to change with time". That's a bold statement.

1. Must a standard be objective or could a standard be subjective?
2. Are there any examples of new information or new technology which has prompted a standard to change and, if so, is there any reason to believe that could not apply to sports card grading.

Then there's the aspect of whether the standards have or have not changed, and I would argue that the changes to centering are an objective change to their standards for grading. I would also argue that, further, the subjective interpretation of the standards has changed to give more weight to certain aspects of quality - at the very least.

And of course, as PSA's volume has grown there is the lack of consistency we observe in the consistency of their grading.

I would have loved to see the PSA 6 Ryan 68T because I suspect we're over-thinking this one anyways, but yeah... PSA is a disaster. Fat & Lazy.

ElMagoStrikeZone

It seems that PSA has become the industry’s leading authenticator of petulance.

Chicago1976

I agree, that price would have raised suspicion for me. The VCP average for that card in a PSA 6 is about $2000. Find it hard to believe a vendor with a table at a large card show would not have looked up current comps for that card at arrived at $500. All the pricing data is right there in our pocket/smart phone.

Maybe at a garage sale, where someone who knows nothing about cards, selling grandpa's collection...maybe.

The phrase "too good to be true" applies here. I think passing on it was the right thing to do. And the fact that it was still on his table late in the day means others passed on it as well.

1959

"when it was a game" !!!

bgr

I was thinking perhaps it was an autographed copy. A 1968 Ryan authentic with a 6 auto grade might be in that range in rougher shape as described (not a 6). I didn’t want to assume anything about the OPs experience but I could see how that might be confusing to someone returning to the hobby after a 35 year hiatus.

Tune in for post #2 to find out!

1982FBWaxMemories

^ you may have nailed it!

If this follows SOP there wont ever be a post #2 from the OP

BLUEJAYWAY

@PaulMaul said:
We all wish it were possible that grading could be that cut and dry, but it is not and never has been. It is simply a fact that more leeway was given on centering 15 years ago than was given five years ago or now. Buyers need to factor that into their decisions, unfortunately that's the best we can do.

Makes one wonder what the future will bring. Since not much in life stays the same.

HOMETOWNSPORTS

@bgr said:
Lost in this is the assertion that "standards are NOT supposed to change with time". That's a bold statement.

1. Must a standard be objective or could a standard be subjective?
2. Are there any examples of new information or new technology which has prompted a standard to change and, if so, is there any reason to believe that could not apply to sports card grading.

Then there's the aspect of whether the standards have or have not changed, and I would argue that the changes to centering are an objective change to their standards for grading. I would also argue that, further, the subjective interpretation of the standards has changed to give more weight to certain aspects of quality - at the very least.

And of course, as PSA's volume has grown there is the lack of consistency we observe in the consistency of their grading.

I would have loved to see the PSA 6 Ryan 68T because I suspect we're over-thinking this one anyways, but yeah... PSA is a disaster. Fat & Lazy.

I think standards SHOULD be and are considered constant...if not then use the word guidelines which may be changeable with time..