Question on the OC qualifier

WinPitcher

Lets say you have a card, a 1952 Bowman Mays. It is a sharp card that would grade NMNT/MNT. It is however OC. The degree of OC would downgrade it by 2 points as it would meet the qualifications for a 6. The question is do you want an 8OC or a straight 6?

Steve

fsjeter

I don't think that PSA should ever have invented/used qualifiers in the first place so I would take the straight 6. Just my $0.02.

Scott


Edited to add: Grading is inconsistent and subjective enough. Qualifiers only make it worse IMHO.

ajw

I actually prefer the OC qualifier. Another board member discused this point a few days ago, and his point makes a lot of sense to me. He said that when you have a PSA 8 OC, you have a very good idea of the card's qualities. You know it will have 8 quality edges, corners, surface and registration. You also know that the card is off-center. When a card is a PSA 6 and see in the scan that it's off-center, you really have no idea of the other qualities of the card. The corners look good, but are they as sharp as 8s or are they touched like 6s? The edges look a little off, but is that just the scan? It's hard to tell.

Now, it seems to me that most people prefer cards with no qualifiers, but I think it makes sense to have the card grade describe the card's qualities as fully as possible. A PSA 8 OC gives you a LOT more information than does a PSA 6.

Just my opinion...and I'd prefer a well centered PSA 6 to a PSA 8 OC...but that's because I'm more interested in eye appeal than having razor sharp corners.

jmbkb4

I've been shocked at how low (OC) cards sell for on eBay. IMO, less than even cards graded 2 points lower.

ctsoxfan

On something like a 52 Bowman Mays, I would much rather have the higher grade, with the qualifier. It would show that the card has all the attributes of an 8, but it is OC. On a newer card, I would rather an unqualified grade.

envoy98

<< <i>On something like a 52 Bowman Mays, I would much rather have the higher grade, with the qualifier. It would show that the card has all the attributes of an 8, but it is OC. On a newer card, I would rather an unqualified grade. >>