Is this recent unopened pack worth getting graded?

milbroco

It is a 1985 Topps football cello pack with the Dan Marino record breaker on top and the regular Dan Marino card on the bottom.
I was thinking it may be worth it, especially if I was to put it on Ebay.
Thanks,
Bob

goodriddance189

depending on the grading fee, im sure it'd bring $50-$60

ctsoxfan

Probably right. I saw a similar cello (ungraded) at a recent show, with the regular Marino on top. Guy wanted $30, but no takers. I looked closely at it, and beacuse the Marino was on top of the cello, it already had pinched corners. Interesting item, though.

packCollector

if that's all your sendin gin then no. it will cost you $10 for the grade plus shipping both ways. You'll be spending $25-$30 to sell a pack for 40-50.

TheRoach

Pack grading is just another way to make $$$ for these grading companies. It's ridiculous in my opinion. I am concerned with what is inside the pack, not the outside. Isn't it possible to still pull a crappy conditioned card out of a "Mint" pack? What a scam.

What's next? Maybe grading the game worn material on game worn memorabilia cards? Grade the actual swatch.

Grading cards basically does not have an exact science, so why would I allow some gimoke to grade my pack? I guess if people are willing to pay a premium for graded packs, there will always be people willing to grade them.


TheRoach

Lothar52

I have a 84 topps cello with Elway RC on the front (Ram HOF Slateron back)...prolly would grade a 8..and im serious.....i also have 85 cello's with 1- Moon RC and Joe Montana on 2 others. These are great collectibles to those who love the 80's football cards....after all..it was during THIS TIME that america truly became americas sport. Elway, Marino, Montana, etc etc. IN THE FUTURE...it may be worth it..however i doubt we willbe alive forthat...id say next century...right now...i dont think its worth it. The stigma in the future for such collectibles will be as the 52 topps packs and such...OWN A CARD OF BLAH THAT HAS NEVER EVER BEEN TOUCHED BY HUMAN HANDS BEFORE!! WILL IT GRADE A 10?? etc etc

here is my elway pack ...click the link

AlanAllen

Roach, it's about the authentication, not the grade. Although trimming and other modifications are a problem with singles, resealing is a HUGE problem with wax. GAI authentication has been a wonderful boon for unopened collectors.

Joe

WinPitcher

Encapsulation of unopened packs also keeps them in the same condition for posterity besides authentication.

ctsoxfan

I agree with that, even though I think the whole pack grading concept can be suspect. How do they really know if a pack/box has been tampered with, anyway? I realize it is just an educated opinion, but I have seen bad results come from some GAI graded packs.

Also, what is the difference between a pack graded 7 and a pack graded 9? Is one "more authentic" than the other?

TheRoach

<< <i>Roach, it's about the authentication, not the grade. Although trimming and other modifications are a problem with singles, resealing is a HUGE problem with wax. GAI authentication has been a wonderful boon for unopened collectors.

Joe >>



And we are supposed to trust the same graders that say a card wasn't altered when it actually, was to grade our packs? If you take that same look, they will just grade packs that have been opened and resealed carefully. If you come back and say that cellos, etc.. cant' be resealed once opened, then why have them graded in the first place?

If these crooks can get trimmed cards past these "experts", why couldn't they get some packs by them? Who are we to say otherwise? Unfortunately, the crooks are smarter than the graders right now. Hopefully that changes one day.

Maybe PSA could take some of the $$$ they brought in from the 7,000,000+ cards they have graded to come up with a better way of detecting such practices? Just a thought.

Or they could do nothing about it and keep more of their profits. I have a good feeling which route they will go...



TheRoach

Tabe

<< <i>Pack grading is just another way to make $$$ for these grading companies. >>


What the heck do you think the companies are in business to do? Making money is the whole purpose of starting a company and expanding your offerings of products/services is a great way to do that.

Tabe
www.tabe.nu

AlanAllen

Roach,
For one thing, it's not the same graders. GAI's primary pack authenticator is Paul Wright, who is the world's foremost authority on the subject. It's difficult to reseal a cello pack, but over the last few years homemade cello packs have become prevalent. Early cello packs had no markings at all, just clear cellophane, so some enterprising crooks have taken a few commons and wrapped them in vintage-looking cellophane. It takes an expert to spot stuff like that, and many collectors don't even know fakes like that exist.
Also, I'm sure that some resealed packs have been slabbed by GAI. As with cards, all they are offering is their expert opinion. But, GAI offers the best peace of mind out there for vintage wax collectors, and marketplace values for their packs reflect that.
Finally, you stated that "I am concerned with what is inside the pack, not the outside." That's not true with all pack buyers. Some are buying the pack for the pack not for the cards inside, and want the best-looking pack they can get. That's why penny packs, which contain only 1 card that is always wax stained, have value. Some sell for high 3 or low 4 figures, just because of the rarity of the pack.

Joe

67standup

I've always bought packs for the rarity of the pack, not the cards inside. Need a 1952 Mantle, just look on Ebay about once a month. However, how many times do you see an unopened 1952 pack as with the current Mastro auction?

I do take this whole collectible industry/business with a grain of salt, and am also wary like Roach. It just takes one cost efficient technology to make forgeries undistinguishable from the real thing.