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Grading instrument question!

flyerfan27flyerfan27 Posts: 56
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Hi,

Does anyone know the type and strength of the magnifying glass PSA uses for looking over the cards they grade? I would like to get one to look over my cards before sending into PSA. A few of my cards did not get grades I feel they should have. I think it is because I am not using a strong enough magnifying glass.

Also; when I first started collecting graded cards I did not know Beckett had 2 different grading scales, BCCG & BGS or BVG. At that time I didn't even know that you should only use or buy PSA or BGS. I now have a lot of BCCG 10 graded Allen Iverson rookies. Do you think it is worth it to send them in to PSA for crossover? I bought them with the purpose of displaying them which I am doing. But who knows some day I might want to sell them.

All opinions welcomed and would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks, Jim

Comments

  • julen23julen23 Posts: 4,558 ✭✭
    psa first grades the card oni the basis of HOF vs common before ever looking at actual card condition....

    welcome aboard!

    Julen
    image
    RIP GURU
  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭
    A 10x lighted loupe will be all you need for pre-grading your cards.

    Re: The Iversons, I wouldn't bother paying to have them graded by another company unless/untill you decide to sell.
  • flyerfan27flyerfan27 Posts: 56
    Hi Julen,

    Thank you for your response and for welcoming me aboard. I joined PSA's grading membership a little over a year ago. I just noticed they have this BB page a few days ago. This was my first posting. I hope to have more time to spend here in the future.

    Thanks again,
    Jim
  • flyerfan27flyerfan27 Posts: 56


    << <i>A 10x lighted loupe will be all you need for pre-grading your cards.

    Re: The Iversons, I wouldn't bother paying to have them graded by another company unless/untill you decide to sell. >>





    Hi,

    Thank you for responding to my posting and for the information on the type of magnifying glass PSA uses. I also want to thank you for your opinion about my BCCG cards. I deeply appreciate your response.

    I hope you don't mind, but I have one more question. Even though the BCCG cards are graded a 10 it says MINT+ on them and not GEM MINT. Do you think they would grade at least a 9 MINT with PSA on a crossover or do you think they would grade lower? If anyone has experience with this type of crossover I would appreciate to hear from you.

    Thanks again, Jim
  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>A 10x lighted loupe will be all you need for pre-grading your cards.

    Re: The Iversons, I wouldn't bother paying to have them graded by another company unless/untill you decide to sell. >>





    Hi,

    Thank you for responding to my posting and for the information on the type of magnifying glass PSA uses. I also want to thank you for your opinion about my BCCG cards. I deeply appreciate your response.

    I hope you don't mind, but I have one more question. Even though the BCCG cards are graded a 10 it says MINT+ on them and not GEM MINT. Do you think they would grade at least a 9 MINT with PSA on a crossover or do you think they would grade lower? If anyone has experience with this type of crossover I would appreciate to hear from you.

    Thanks again, Jim >>




    Hi Jim--

    The 'average' grade on a BCCG is around an 8.5-- i.e., if you send in a random lot of BCCG 10's for crossover you should end up with about 1/2 8's, 1/2 9's, with perhaps a smattering of 10's mixed in there. However, since you sent in your cards without understanding the difference between BCCG and BGS/PSA, it's possible that all of your Iverson's are 9's or 10's. Without seeing them in person it's hard to say.

    Here's a good rule- if you can see any wear on the cards at all with the naked eye-- any slight wear around the corners, or nicks along the edges-- then the card is probably a PSA 8. If they look completely mint to the naked eye then they are likely PSA 9's and 10's.

  • flyerfan27flyerfan27 Posts: 56
    Hi Boopotts,

    Thank you so much for answering my posting again. You have been a very big help to me. I can’t thank you enough. I hope everyone on this board is as kind and helpful as you.

    I did not send my BCCG cards into Beckett for grading. I bought them on eBay already graded thinking I was getting real 10’s. I will look them over more closely now using the great advice you just gave me. Even though I am going to look at the cards closely I am taking your advice and I won’t have them crossed over unless I decide to sell any of them.

    Thanks again, you are a GEM MINT in my book!

    Take care, Jim
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