Is this a PSA 3?

ajw

I'm *very* new to the world of graded card collecting, but I've been looking through 1962s and 1956s on eBay. I found these two auctions, both for 1956 PSA 3's. The scans look fantastic to me. The corners and edges look incredible, and the color is amazing. Do these "look" right?

1956 Banks 3

1956 Jackie 4

(edited to fix links)

goodriddance189

more than likely an unseen surface blemish on the back, probably a hairline crease or something. i personally love these cards, youre getting a PSA 7 (in appearance) card for the price of a PSA 3

ajw

Ah, that makes sense. I emailed the seller asking for scans of the backs. Hopefully he'll reply.

What do you think these cards will sell for? I'm thinking of starting a 1956 set, and card appearance is far more important to me than what the slab grade is. I'd happily take a card with a wax stain on the back...especially if it's well centered and has great color. Do you think these two would sell for more than a "typical" PSA 3 (or 4 for the Robinson)?

I know that I should subscribe to the PSA price guide online, but I'm a student and the $5 or whatever isn't too attractive. :-(

Thanks,

AJW

goodriddance189

ERNIE BANKS - 1956 TOPPS - PSA 5 $38.03

Jackie Robinson 1956 Topps - PSA 4 $85.00

these are the prices i found while doing a Completed Items search on ebay. the Banks was a 5, and closed at only $38. i'd assume a PSA 3 would sell for $25 or so

yawie99

If appearance is more important than grade, then these cards could be good values. Chances are they're not really undergraded, but the problems that earned them their grades may not profoundly impact eye appeal - at least until you flip them over. The centering on the Banks isn't so hot, but based on the scans at least, both cards look a lot better than the average 3 and 4.

purelyPSA

"Very slight paper wrinkle" on the Robinson. Sounds like a job for Distilled Man!

duner

the picture in the auction may have been touched up too.

pandrews

there was a thread awhile back (here) discussing PSA 2's.. in the Banks auction you posted, the description says "back has a couple spots".. i had a SHARP 1951 Bowman Whitey Ford that came back a PSA 2 because it had some VERY LIGHT scuffing on the back, i was expecting a psa 5 when I sent it in.. (it was my 1st submission, and we all get those wrong)

ajw

<< <i>the picture in the auction may have been touched up too. >>



That's what I was thinking. The corners and edges look *incredibly* sharp on the scan. At least to my very uneducated eye. How often do people tweak scans? Would they bother to do so for a PSA 3 and 4?

Wabittwax

Those pictures are definately brightened up too. Even the PSA label is super white. Those cards belong is SGC holders. They would probably grade them higher because of the centering.