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general grading question

ldfergldferg Posts: 6,742 ✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
do graders use something like a 10x magnifier when grading? seems like i've noticed some threads regarding the 10x loupes in the past. i did purchase one and it seems like every card i look at has flaws on the edges (chipping, rough edges) or corners frayed. of course this can't be seen be the naked eye so how much chipping, corner fraying, etc... is acceptable for a 9 or even 10 grade?

i'm looking over some 80t and 81t i opened from vending, wax, and rack. the edges look nice and the corners look razor sharp (as in MINT - 9 or 10). however, when magnified 10x, i don't know that there's one anywhere...


Thanks,

David (LD_Ferg)



1985 Topps Football (starting in psa 8) - #9 - started 05/21/06

Comments

  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    lol that is why the word "subjective" is thrown around so freely......in the old days a card was looked at with the naked eye and graded as well or better imo then today. I use a 3x mag glass only cuz i have 49 yr old eyes. they should save the 10x loupes for grading coins
    Good for you.
  • DirtyHarryDirtyHarry Posts: 1,917 ✭✭✭
    I have a 4x lighted loupe and don't understand how or why you need to get a better look at a card than that. I took a piece of jewelry to be repaired for my wife to a local store yesterday, and there was a magnifier sitting on the counter. I asked the jeweler if I could take a look at it. It was a 10x loupe, but it was the size of a quarter. For the life of me, I couldn't get anything in focus on it. I dunno, but I don't think we need the hubble telescope aimed on cards. But what the hell do I know - that's why I decided to list a bunch of my 67 Topps raw baseball on Ebay tonight because I don't want to go through the grading BS, with certain exceptions.
    Proud of my 16x20 autographed and framed collection - all signed in person. Not big on modern - I'm stuck in the past!
  • jrdolanjrdolan Posts: 2,549 ✭✭
    The corners of a 2004 card fresh from the pack will look fuzzy if you magnify it enough. I doubt that ANYTHING made of paper looks great at 10X.
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,407 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Id
    this is a great question and I have never asked PSA what size loop they use - I have been working with many difference size mags just for the experience. I started a thread on it but got no response. I wanted to discuss in a series the different instruments I purchased to study. I will tell you that the Linen tester is a good mag and device to measure borders accurately. They are cheap and can serve a dual purpose as well as the fact that it folds up Flat. I thought I remember someone saying that graders use a 5x loop/mag? On the linen tester, when you lay it on a protected card, you have mm or inch fraction lines which accurately measure the two borders to determine a %.

    image
    Stone
    Mike
  • A761506A761506 Posts: 1,309 ✭✭✭
    I have always thought that 10x magnification was the standard at PSA. Personally, I use a 10x and a 30x (the 30x is helpful when checking for touch ups and alterations, but not so much for corners). If you look at a card graded by PSA that they have a 9 or 10 on, even vintage, the corners look prestine under the 10x magnification. Lower power magnification makes it very difficult to detect wrinkles, and the difference in corner & edge wear between a 8, 9 or 10.

    I also use a black light to look for alterations/touch-ups, and it can also be useful in idetifying fake cards if there is ever a question about the authenticity. I am nearly certain that PSA passes every card they grade under a blacklight as well.

  • DirtyHarryDirtyHarry Posts: 1,917 ✭✭✭
    Stone - I have some vintage boxer shorts. I think they may be worth something. Can I send 'em to you so you can review with that linen loupe?
    Proud of my 16x20 autographed and framed collection - all signed in person. Not big on modern - I'm stuck in the past!
  • ldfergldferg Posts: 6,742 ✭✭✭
    30x???? whoa, my eyes are crossed enough with 10x... i just looked at a couple of 9's from 80t and they look similar in what i'm continuing to see with other 80 and 81t.


    Thanks,

    David (LD_Ferg)



    1985 Topps Football (starting in psa 8) - #9 - started 05/21/06
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,407 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Stone - I have some vintage boxer shorts. I think they may be worth something. Can I send 'em to you so you can review with that linen loupe? >>


    Harry
    Sure!....hmmm.....remember no skid marks! Do they look like these?

    image
    Mike
    image
    Mike
  • iamthegreatcornholioiamthegreatcornholio Posts: 3,366
    My favorite grading company uses 1600X magnification -



    << <i>enlarging and grading the card based on a scan 1600X the normal size is " in our opinion" the only proper method of grading >>



    psadnacards still cracks me up.

    Brian
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,407 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>My favorite grading company uses 1600X magnification - >>


    OK Brian
    Let's give'm hell - full bore! I want to see the grains of ink, the specks of paper, why not the atomic structure?

    image

    image
    Mike
  • jrdolanjrdolan Posts: 2,549 ✭✭


    << <i>My favorite grading company uses 1600X magnification >>


    Heck you can grade cards on Mars without leaving home!
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