Advice needed on this Bazooka Mantle

A761506

I recently bought this 1962 Bazooka panel, fully aware that the right edge was partially cut through the dotted line... now I have a question about what to do with it... my initial inclination was to cut out the Mantle card perfectly, in a way it would grade an 8 or 9. There are a couple light scratches on the card that will prevent it from ever being a 10. I figured I would just give up the other two cards, as I wanted to cut the Mantle with an extra 1/16" of white around each border. To me, that makes the card the most attractive, as opposed to cutting perfectly on the dotted lines, in which case I could save the Mahaffey, which would also probably be an 8 or 9. The Mantle in 8 SMR's at $750, and there has never been one graded before. In a 9, it's $1500. The common in an 8 is $30, so I'm not overly concerned about burning it up.

However, any chance PSA would grade the panel with the right edge the way it is? I would of course trim up the other edges to leave them 1/32 - 1/16 wider than the border, which would give it a nice square look. And if PSA would grade it, would it still be worth grading it knowing that it probably wouldn't get any better than a 7 because of that edge?

Advice appreciated. Thanks -Josh

MajorDanby

I did a search on 1962 bazooka panels sold/auctioned off on ebay. Couldn't find any graded.

However, i did find a 1965 bazooka SGC 86.

Bazooka

I personally don't think they would grade the panel given the edge. I haven't handled too many panels...but the few that i have that were given a good grade had the dotted lines showing on all edges.

If you know you can get an 8 or 9 with a mantle, i wouldnt risk grading the entire panel (whats the SMR for the entire panel?).