Grading leniency on 1971 Topps?

uriwvu

I've got a '71 set with a few key cards (Mays, Seaver, Carew, Baker RC) as well as some commons that I'm considering having graded. On the surface I see them in the 5-7 range at best (some commons 8, maybe 9).

My question is, with sets such as '71 and '62 Topps, do any of the companies (PSA, SGC, Beckett, etc.) make any allowances for these sensitive sets? Or do they go strictly with the same grading standards, regardless of year?

Please advise.

Thanks,

Rick

FB

Not on my best day!!!!

Sending in both 62 and 71 can and is a brutal experience. I normally send in 100 cards at a time from the 72 set and usually receive back:

35 PSA 9's
5 PSA 7's
60 PSA 8's

But, when I send in 71's, I generally receive:

60 PSA 8's
35 PSA 7's
5 PSA 6 or 5.

If you send in a 71 that has anything more than 1/4 inch of white (total) around the edges or corners then you're pretty much assured a 7 or lower. No slack is cut for the black border and I've only sent in a few 62's, but my percentages run about the same as the 71's.

bleacherbum

As a '71 collector, I can attest to the fact that they do not make any allowances - nor should they. Grading needs to be consistent, regardless of each sets' particular challenges.

Where you'll notice the difference is in the market. Due to the challenges of receiving high grades on these sets, the cards will sell for a premium in PSA 8 or higher vs. the other sets of that era.

norty

No absolutely not. In fact Hell no, absolutely not. Brutally hard on 71's.