Does a trimmed card have any value?

Tedw9 · January 12, 2008 10:04AM

I know I may get answers from all sides, but I was wondering what everyones view was on trimmed cards. And when I ask about trimmed cards, I am not talking about modern cards, but vintage. Mantle, Williams, Robinson and those guys. Is there a price range where a trimmed card would still have value? For instance, does a card that books at $1000 have any value when it's trimmed or should it be at least $2000?

The reason I am asking is there is a card I am looking at that books around $3000 in nmt shape, but this copy is trimmed. Just slightly, you can hardly notice it unless you are looking for it and it still displays nice. The card has a price tag of $200 on it and I am wondering if it is worth a couple of hundred, because there is no way I could afford a copy that looks as nice as this one does. I was thinking of buying it and just have it slabbed as authentic for my own collection and display purposes.

Ok guys, give me some feedback!

jmbkb4 · January 12, 2008 10:05AM

does a trimmed card have any value?

-- sometimes.

MantleMarisFordBerra · January 12, 2008 10:08AM

Yes, they do have some value...but it varies card to card. If it's a rather hard to find card (a 1914 Cracker Jack Matthewson for example) the percentage of the full value would be higher - maybe 20%. For easy to find cards, (most Mantle, Williams & Robinsons) maybe 10% of the full value.

pandrews · January 12, 2008 10:08AM

its worth whatever someone will pay for it..

WinPitcher · January 12, 2008 10:08AM

I think in the situation that you described, yes it is worth it. Will it have resale value? Maybe, maybe not. However if like you say you can get it into a top TPG holder as authentic then it will have some liquidity.

The bottom line is you saying you like it, so IMO that is all that really matters.

Steve

OAKESY25 · January 12, 2008 11:49AM

I bought a 57 banks and a 62 mays mantle.. I own them for about $65...
I personally trimmed them.. knowing I am not going to sell them...
I have them on my shelf and they display awesome...

I say pick it up if it is for display.. $3k vs. 200 to have the real article??
if you had an original that was cut short from the factory would you chuck it?? or sell it for less/?
hell no you wouldnt.. buy

originalisbest · January 12, 2008 1:28PM

Well, they're your cards -- but color me confused as to why you'd trim them....

OAKESY25 · January 12, 2008 2:03PM

the corners were rough... like psa 4.. at the most..
I wanted to display them and not sell them...
if you could see the before and after.. you might agree..
maybe not.. but like you said... they are my cards..
it is not something I do normally.. the mays/ mantle I picked up cheap
to do just what I did to the banks.. and on my shelf they look like mint condition..
as before they would look like crappy old cards.. with cool players..
only I know.. and it is better then having a reprint.. I get some satisfaction of knowing that
it is authentic..

originalisbest · January 12, 2008 2:10PM

Were they mine, I'd have matted them, and not defaced the cards in the process. But they are your cards, so to each their own.

OAKESY25 · January 12, 2008 2:18PM

I didnt want them matted.. I want to display them like baseball cards..

metalmike · January 12, 2008 3:12PM

yes. A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle for example. Back in the dark ages 1983 a ex copy was 1000 dollars. or you could buy a 1983 1952 Topps reprint of the same card for 5-10. A trimmed card may look better but is it worth that much money? If I can't eat it smoke it drive it It is a toy. Yes a toy. Your 200 dollar card may be authentic, I'd rather have the reprint or a well loved one. Mike

Ahmanfan · January 12, 2008 3:19PM

Oak - I respect your right to do what you want with your own cards. But the fact is, during your lifetime or after, at some point those cards are going to be sold. and that could be where a problem arises.
John

OAKESY25 · January 12, 2008 3:40PM

I can't help what other people do.. I am just saying I have no intention on selling them...
if ever I decided to sell them I would tell the person it was trimmed...
I sold one trimmed card.. a 60 bob gibson... got like $3 on ebay for it.. listed it as trimmed..
it was trimmed before I got it.. back a long time ago when I was 16 or so..
I thought I got a great deal.. but after I looked real close
I noticed it was trimmed.. anyway... the person that bought said.. honest ebayer.. would have never known...

the 62 I trimmed all 4 sides... it will be noticably smaller.. the banks may be as well... the banks was the first card I ever trimmed..
I had it sitting on my desk.. and just felt unsatisfied looking at its rounded corners..but I love the card, now I love looking at it..

dont trim to deceive... I am 34.. and will own this til I die.. what happens after that. who knows.. but it will go to my kids
who will know it is trimmed and hopefully I raise them well enough to know right from wrong...

the point was.. the card he is speaking of... if it is say a clemente rookie.. that appears mint.. but it was trimmed...
I would buy that... for $200.. it is a rare piece of history.. look at the t206 wagner.. most reports say that is trimmed..
history is history... I will never sell a trimmed card without letting the buyer know.. period.. I would never trim a card
if I intended to resell it.. I have trimmed 2 cards in my life... which I openly admitted and proudly showed you pictures of..

I dont have the money to buy a psa 8-9 mantle or 57 banks.. but I can spend 21 on the mantle and 28 ( i think ) on the banks..
and display it like they are.. and thats what card collecting is about.. some people will be happy with a demolished psa 1 52 topps mantle..
I would only own that because it is worth so much.. I would be much happier with a trimmed 52 that looked mint..

psafan · January 12, 2008 4:01PM

How much are trimmed cards worth once they are in PSA 9 and PSA 10 holders?

OAKESY25 · January 12, 2008 4:21PM

I thought that didnt happen?

I actually read somewhere that people have theories that many are...
my personal feeling is as long as they measure up.. what I dont know is what I dont know..
when i did it to my own cards.. I realized I was ruining its $$$ value..

I went to that big show in chicago.. and saw many psa 9's
and I cannot fathom how a 45 yr old card would survive in that condition..
especially when they had no monetary value back then.. people didn't know to care for them...

Allen · January 12, 2008 4:27PM

Yes they have value. I would not trim cards like he did even for my collection, but I would buy a card for way less if it was trimmed and still looked good. I am looking for a Jerry West Rookie, if I can fund a stunner that says it was deemed trimmed and it was cheap- I would buy it.

metalmike · January 12, 2008 5:19PM

1:17 am I have given up trying to find a fair/good Pete Rose rookie, at this point until reprints are cheap I'll stick with the 1964 Topps real rookie. rookiecardsaredumbwhataboutlastcards? LAST CARDS? what dat?

TNTonPMS · January 12, 2008 8:47PM

<< its worth whatever someone will pay for it.. >>

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So True . . .

In my collection , I would like to have the card where John Elway is wearing a Yankee uniform and it really wouldn't matter to me if it was trimmed / stomped or crumpled .

Naturally I would much rather have the untrimmed /stomped or crumpled variety .

hofautos · January 12, 2008 9:22PM

I personally wouldn't want a trimmed card especially for a couple hundred bucks...if you can't afford one, buy a reprint for a buck, or keep a scan for free.

ColleSystem · January 12, 2008 10:28PM

Another downside of owning trimmed cards is that they cast doubts on the rest of your collection to prospective trading/buying partners.

stevek · January 12, 2008 10:47PM

A trimmed card is worth nothing to me, with the possible exception of a T206 Wagner, that's it.

TNTonPMS · January 12, 2008 10:57PM

<< I personally wouldn't want a trimmed card especially for a couple hundred bucks...if you can't afford one, buy a reprint for a buck, or keep a scan for free. >>

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I don't feel the same about reprints as I do about the original .

swartz1 · January 12, 2008 11:12PM

2 threads two days in a row about trimming ....this is a goner...

gemmintrarities · January 12, 2008 11:42PM

<< Oak - I respect your right to do what you want with your own cards. But the fact is, during your lifetime or after, at some point those cards are going to be sold. and that could be where a problem arises.
John >>

You have got to be kidding me with this.....big deal. Nothing HAS to be sold. I think it is fine, that he trimmed them to look nicer to display. They are after all his cards, he can do what he wants w/ them.

goose3 · January 12, 2008 11:59PM

Of course it has value.

Anything that is Very expensive in pristine condition, whether it be a car, card, coin, etc, always has a market for a less desirable or damaged piece.

RipublicaninMass · January 13, 2008 12:11AM

well when I bought mine in GEM 10 holders they did, then when I cracked them and sent them to PSA they didn't. I would have no problm selling them to Mr mint however

perkdog · January 13, 2008 12:14AM

It would not bother me to own an expensive card IE: a 1914 Cracker Jack or '52 Mantle that was trimmed. I wouldnt pay big bucks for it though..

WinPitcher · January 13, 2008 1:50AM

Stevek only the wagner? What about 52 Mantle, Mays and those types of cards?

55 Clemente, Koufax etc etc etc?

Steve D

jimq112 · January 13, 2008 2:00AM

I don't mind trimmed cards if it's a card I would otherwise not spend the money to own. I buy them as a toy to be enjoyed, not as an investment, but I figure that if "I" bought it that someone else will also, maybe not for as much, but someone will buy it if I ever need to sell it.

Just be honest if you have to sell it.

WinPitcher · January 13, 2008 2:22AM

Every set that I collect i can afford the cards in them, so i have no need to want any trimmed cards in my sets. I would rather have a lower graded example then an authentic but trimmed card.

I also would rather have a card with rounded corners as an example and would not trim a card up so it looks nicer.

Steve

Buccaneer · January 13, 2008 2:27AM

I agree with Steve, as well as the post that a knowingly trimmed star card might cast doubt on your entire collection. I believe altered cards will become more reported and thus, more of a taboo.

stevek · January 13, 2008 2:27AM

<< Stevek only the wagner? What about 52 Mantle, Mays and those types of cards?

55 Clemente, Koufax etc etc etc?

Steve D >>

For example, if a trimmed 52 Mantle was offered to me for free, but with the stipulation that I could never sell it, then I wouldn't even want it. Frankly, I find trimmed cards repulsive and don't ever want them in my card collection. I never said some trimmed cards wouldn't have value to somebody, of course they would, that's obvious, but trimmed cards are worth nothing to me.

-

hofautos · January 13, 2008 2:40AM

<< 

<< I personally wouldn't want a trimmed card especially for a couple hundred bucks...if you can't afford one, buy a reprint for a buck, or keep a scan for free. >>

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I don't feel the same about reprints as I do about the original . >>

Different strokes for different folks....i would rather have a reprint of the card in question PLUS $200 than an altered original. There are PLENTY of cards I would like for $200, and I have no desire for a trimmed card, so the OBVIOUS choice for me is $200 PLUS a reprint. The only exception would be to have a trimmed card that I could flip for over the $200, as it wouldn't fit in my collection.

I would rather have any of these cards (recently sold around $200) than ANY trimmed card that I could not flip.

OR HERE, TAKE YOUR OWN PICK...
SOLDS AROUND $200

WinPitcher · January 13, 2008 4:32AM

SteveK

So if someone gave you a 52 trimmed Mantle w/o the stipulation you would have no problem?

I'm confused as to why you wouldn't want a trimmed, but Authentic 52 mantle.

??

Steve

dizzyfoxx · January 13, 2008 4:46AM

As far as I'm concerned, any trimmed card is only worth the recycle amount for the cardboard.

OAKESY25 · January 13, 2008 5:07AM

I am curious why 1/100th of an inch would make a card worthless?
would you rather have a 68 camaro that is beat up or one fully restored...
either way it isn't the same car that came off the line..
again.. I would never pay full $$ for a trimmed card.. I agree that it being altered takes
some integrity away from it.. but to think that there are not cards holdered that have been trimmed is naive...
we have all sent cards that came back as trimmed.. that I would have never thought that.. and we all also know that when we
believe they are wrong we resubmit and it gets slabbed..
the theory of owning a 86 psa rice over a 55 clemente to me is crazy...
I would much rather have a real clemente rookie over a untrimmed slabbed rice anyday...
there are a million rice cards... and who said the rice wasn't trimmed.. just some guy...
there has been a million threads on this board about.. look at this card.. it don't look right..
and many times they don't.. and I say.. I wouldnt even need to think twice about calling that ev of trimming..
but it is slabbed and people pay huge money.. so I can buy a "mint looking" slightly trimmed clemente rookie
for $200... or your slabbed and possibly trimmed rookie for $3k... unless you are the original owner, you just never know..

mealeworm · January 13, 2008 5:20AM

The only problem is some trimmed cards find there way into graded holders.

WinPitcher · January 13, 2008 5:34AM

I would never pay the same for a beat up camaro either. So i fail to see your analogy.

Steve

psafan · January 13, 2008 5:46AM

<< The only problem is some trimmed cards find there way into graded holders. >>

So how much are those cards worth? The ones that are trimmed but in holders, are they worth less than ones that are not trimmed and in holders?

stevek · January 13, 2008 5:48AM

<< SteveK

So if someone gave you a 52 trimmed Mantle w/o the stipulation you would have no problem?

I'm confused as to why you wouldn't want a trimmed, but Authentic 52 mantle.

??

Steve >>

Yes, because w/o the stipulation I would immediately sell the dam thing. Who ever turned down free money?

But a trimmed card has no place in my collection. I don't like trimmed cards, I don't want trimmed cards, and that's that. I mentioned the T206 Wagner because it is such a Holy Grail of card collecting unlike any other card.

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stevek · January 13, 2008 5:49AM

A "car analogy" to a "card analogy" frankly is a very poor analogy.

kingraider75 · January 13, 2008 5:50AM

cards should never be trimmed. If the card is a PSA 3, then it's a PSA 3. Yes trimming it looks like a PSA 6 or something, but it goes against the idea of a collectible. Don't trim your cards. When you die, your wife will sell them all as nrmt!

OAKESY25 · January 13, 2008 5:55AM

win...

a beat up camaro.. = a psa 1 52 mantle...

a restored camaro.. = a nice looking but trimmed mantle...

people including you are saying you would rather own the psa 1 mantle

I am saying if it was not baseball cards but a 68 camaro.. you would have no problem owning the restored car...
even though it is not stock...

hope that helps.. if not.. sorry..

OAKESY25 · January 13, 2008 6:00AM

steve.. I dont think it is a poor analogy at all..
and the fact you would own any trimmed card regardless makes you sound like a hypocrite

you have conditions when you will own a trimmed card.. either way.. that t206.. is altered.. and should therefore be worthless

the mantle and banks are not in my "collection" the are on my shelf..
much like a painting on a wall..

Buccaneer · January 13, 2008 6:21AM

OAKSYS, because cards (in the advent of third-party authenticating) are not meant to be physically altered beyond normal wear and tear. The only analogy I can make to a car would be rolling the odometer back.

OAKESY25 · January 13, 2008 6:38AM

rolling back an odometer.. is done to defraud.. I am not condoning defrauding..
rolling an odometer.. doesnt apply at all..
I do not approve of someone trimming cards and selling them as unaltered..
I am saying.. make something old.. look better then its natural state...
for your own personal gratification..
all the while everyone knowing that it has been altered...
someone that would rather own a "photo copy" or a reprint
as opposed to an authentic original.. seems like they are only in it for the money..
I am sorry I replied to this to offer my support..

Buccaneer · January 13, 2008 6:52AM

<< I do not approve of someone trimming cards and selling them as unaltered.. >>

And that is the crux of the problem we are facing when such alterations are getting better and more of them are ending up in holders to be sold. We should not be encouraging alterations for any reason because we cannot know what will or will not happen to such cards tomorrow.

Don't be sorry about debating an important issue such as this. It comes with the territory.

HammeringHank · January 13, 2008 7:02AM

A trimmed card is basically worthless...end of story....the value of the card is based on it's original condition...tampering with that condition devalues the card...it's no longer an original card...

The issue that I might have with trimming a 57 Banks card that might have been a PSA 4 card is that the PSA 4 has value to those that can not collect a PSA 8 or PSA 9....

Example...I have a friend who collects 1954 Topps PSA 5 cards...why because he cannot or does not want to pay PSA 7-8-9 prices...trimming a PSA 5 destroys an irreplaceable card (they don't make these cards any more)...for other collectors...what if all PSA 5 cards were trimmed...then what? Most likely the value of a real PSA 5 would increase...because there just simply would not be any to buy (and demand would increase the value)...and again that same collector now cannot afford or wish to buy the PSA 5 cards...

Last, all property such as collectibles, even though we may own them physically in our lifetime should be looked at as that we are merely "caretakers" of these properties for the moment...I may own my sets...but it is temporary...don't I have some sort of responsibility to those that will own my sets after me? As I collector I think I do...and for that reason alone I think everyone should re-think trimming a card, because they own it for the moment only...destroying by tampering these "cardboard" wonders is just wrong...

OAKESY25 · January 13, 2008 7:07AM

see.. everyone keeps saying they end up in holders.. so to me it sounds like most everyone is willing to buy a potentially altered card..
as long as the 3rd party says it looks real good and if it was altered they can't tell...

I guess everyone should buy graded cards if it is that concerning..

I bet it is much less then people think.. I really believe that some happen for whatever reason...
and I don't know what to say about it.. that is the reason I pretty much only deal with post cereal...
I know those were altered up front..
or if I buy raw.. I take the chance that it is possibly altered and budget accordingly... and roll the dice
if I see a real nice raw card.. my first thought is why hasn't it been graded...
surely most people that own a real nice vintage card.. would get advice before just throwing it up for sale..
I don't think anybody on the planet is so oblivious to the fact that old baseball cards hold incredible value..

I think psa is pretty solid at catching trimmed.. I dont deal with the others.. so cant speak for that...

OAKESY25 · January 13, 2008 7:14AM

I own my card for my happiness today.. not someone elses I will never meet...
I spent good money, that I earned... I dont live my life worrying about crap like that...
it is not an investment.. if someone wants to buy a psa 5.. buy a psa 5.. mine wont ever be a psa 5..
I could care less what that holder says.. mine is the real deal.. and looks better then yours and I probably paid a heck of a lot less..

if I were buying for investment.. it wouldnt happen... this is not an investment!!!!!!

OAKESY25 · January 13, 2008 7:20AM

The issue that I might have with trimming a 57 Banks card that might have been a PSA 4 card is that the PSA 4 has value to those that can not collect a PSA 8 or PSA 9....

exactly.. I am the collector who cannot afford the psa 8 - 9...

and a psa 4.. is ugly to me...
so now my cards look like 8-9's
but have the value of a 1... my choice.. I wasnt concerned about the couple dollars
as long as my intention is not to swindle you..
you shouldnt be concerned with it..

Does a trimmed card have any value?

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