How Much Impact Does "Snow" Have On A Grade?

scottsusor

I've often seen "snow" (those little scattered nicks on the face of a card) mentioned in this forum with regard to cards. My question is -- Based on your experience, how much impact does this "snow" have on a card's grading? I know this phenomenon really affects only vintage level cards -- But does the effect vary with the quantity of "snow?" -- Does ANY snow knock down a card's grade? If so, how much? -- Or is "snow" completely overlooked?

Scott

miami3

Scott,

I have found that "snow" will often take the card down one grade from PSA.

This is especially true with 1962 and 1963 Topps baseball that for some reason always have their
certain run of cards with this printing problem.

Some of the Low pop cards from these years are only low pop because of this problem and are next to
impossible to find without it i.e.-62 George Witt #287, 63 Vic Power #40 etc.

Bieng from the east coast, I'm getting pretty tired of all kinds of snow!

Jim

Fabfrank

It seems to me that "snow" falls under the "overall eye appeal" category. I've seen 9's with heavy snow in the players photo and 8's with light snow in a colored border. I don't think snow automatically lowers the grade, but than again who knows

gaspipe26

1 grade if it is distracting is what I usually get.

coach30

Snow is one of those areas where PSA can be a little harsh. Some cards have a hint of snow that you really can't see by the naked eye and only under heavy magnification. To me that card's grade should not be affected by that. It seems quite regularly to drop the card one grade. Snow that is clearly visible by the naked eye usually receives a PD which in terms of value means that a PSA 8 card has the same value as a 6.

Wabittwax

My experience is that snow is very very bad. You can get a straight 9 with a honker of a print dot right on the guys face but almost impossible with snow.

highend

about a year ago i had snow wreak havoc on a submission of very nice 57 topps b.b. if i had received unqualified 8's i was planning on selling them as they were from the semi-high series. of the 10 i think 4 were dubbed 8 PD. 6's and 7's for the rest. i didn't think the snow was too much of a distraction. as WABBITWAX indicated PSA can be tougher on snow as opposed to "fish eyes" or "boogers". as for the PD's i cracked them and put it my raw set.

i have a 71 mccovey that i put on my next submission with a tad of snow on the borders the card looks like a dead 9 , but i would take an 8 and i am considering putting "no qualifers" on the invoice to be assured a 7.

dude

It depends. If it's a few scattered flurries, they let it slide, but that may vary from grader to grader. If there's steady accumulation, expect to get knocked down one grade. If it's a blizzard, it could get knocked down 2 grades or even get a PD qualifier.

NickM

I have some '75s that aren't worse than steady accumulation and got PD qualifiers. Meanwhile, I have a '75 football card with a triangular bright red dot that makes Lyle Alzado look like a convert to Hinduism that got a straight 8. Ah, the joys of different graders.

Nick