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1971 Roberto Clemente questions...

I have never submitted any cards yet for grading, so I am not familiar with the grading process. I looked at the grading standards, but I wasn't sure if they tell the whole story. I recently purchased a 1971 Clemente, and I may submit it along with some other cards. I know the 1971s are a very sensitive set of cards, and good ones are hard to come by. I was wondering if anyone could speculate on the grade for it. The corners are very sharp. One has a very minor bend, but it is still pretty sharp. The centering is 60-40 or better on both sides. The edges are great compared to what I have seen on 1971s. There is no color loss. The only thing I see as a potential negative is some light surface scratches. There are 5 or 6 of them. Will the scratches alone cause the card to be graded a 5 or so? Or will the other good things about the card help it to get a better grade. Thank you!

Comments

  • StingrayStingray Posts: 8,843 ✭✭✭
    First, welcome to the boards!!

    Second, if you can provide scans, the board members here are pretty good at giving you an idea what they might grade.
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,448 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hi Dave

    And welcome!!!

    Can you see the scratches looking straight at the card or only if you turn it side-ways under a light?

    I wondered about that myself - I would imagine it would depend - in the mind of the grader - how many and how it affected the overall appearance of the card.

    If you can see the scratch - straight on - that would mean it broke the thin top veneer and it would definitely decrease the grade IMO.

    Have ya got a scan?

    Good luck on the sub!
    mike
    Mike
  • rajah424rajah424 Posts: 439 ✭✭
    Welcome Dave!

    Sharing a scan might save you some time and money.

    You might not like the news you get here but some of the guys on these boards can give you a pretty good indication of what your card would grade. New submitters tend to overgrade so post a scan and hope for the best. The 71 Clemente is a great looking card so good luck!
  • Here it is...please let me know what you think. Most of the scratches are not visible unless you turn the card into the light. Thank you for your help!
  • StingrayStingray Posts: 8,843 ✭✭✭
    Looks like a possible 8, though not sure on the left border how much chipping there might be??
  • I have attahced the card...see above.
  • Wow, nice card. You should grade it for sure. To me it looks in very nice shape, though I might be a bit concerned with top to bottom centering & a slight tilt to the card. As far as what appears to be a rough cut on the left edge that doesn't concern me as much. Either way, with edges & corners like that on a '71 you should get it graded.

    And welcome!
  • Both borders have very little chipping on them. The right edge looks worse in looking at the card.
  • ajwajw Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭
    image

    Looks to me like the bottom and right borders are cut off on the scan. No way anyone can predict the grade without seeing them.
  • I rescanned it and provided more room around the borders. Please let me know your thoughts now. Thank you!
  • ajwajw Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I rescanned it and provided more room around the borders. Please let me know your thoughts now. Thank you! >>



    image
  • bifff257bifff257 Posts: 751 ✭✭
    image



    Nice card, i will guess a 7
  • Does anyone else have any opinions on this? Thank you to those who looked at it. I'll have to scan some of my other cards for opinions on here. You all are very helpful.
  • jimq112jimq112 Posts: 3,511 ✭✭✭
    Welcome!

    This is an 8 oc, it has a little chipping also but yours is centered way better. Have you looked to see if your corners were touched up? In the old days it was real common to black marker the corners, not to hide anything but to make them look nicer in binders.

    If yours isn't touched up I think it gets a 7 but it depends on how much the grader thinks they detract from the card. I have a fairly decent 54T ted williams that I haven't sent in because I'm afraid of a couple surface scratches.

    Good luck with the grade!

    image
    image
  • The edges have not been touched up on this card. I am happy with all of the feedback I have gotten since I got this card at a very reasonable price.
  • jrinckjrinck Posts: 1,321 ✭✭
    The bottom right edge/corner looks a little odd--either some sort of odd miscut, or *gasp* a bad trim job.

    I had a '68 Rose with that kind of corner once, and PSA wouldn't grade it. They didn't say it was trimmed, but just miscut.
  • Nice card for sure. I think the centering is fine. It seems to be about the same as my 8. I would be a little worried about the lower right corner, it just doesnt look right, not sure if miscut or trimmed (hope not). I think it will get an 8 if the measurment comes out normal. One other problem with 1971's is recoloring, really hard to tell that with a scan but yours looks ok.
  • MeferMefer Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭
    Having put a PSA graded set together of 71s in 7 or better, I feel I can comment on this card (though my opinion is still just like a bum, everyone has one!).

    I would be mildly concerned about the borders. The left appears to have some moderate chipping and the right appears to have, for lack of a better word, a mild rough cut. Both are not extreme enough to cause major worries, but I think those factors alone make an 8 a less of a chance. Fortunately, the corners do look pretty good for the scan and it has been my experience with the set that PSA is more harsh on corner wear than border imperfections so the corners are a plus.

    As far as the surface, I cannot tell enough from the scan to comment one way or the other. If the scratches are noticeable, that could very well drop the card down further.

    All told, I think the card will grade in a range of 6-8 with the most likely grade being a 7 (believe me, I have submitted cards on a first go around that came back as a 6 with this set and upon resubmission, came back as 8s; even the graders have a tough time with this set). I think there is a slight chance of the card going up or down a grade from there (will depend mostly upon things that cannot be perceived in the scan). From the scan alone though, would I send it in if I were in your shoes? Absolutely. Good luck should you submit!
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