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1/2 Point: Thoughts and impact

I've read most of the positive and negative thoughts about the implementation of the 1/2 point system by PSA. I think that those that are suggesting doomsday are sadly mistaken.

While I can understand the concern and the anger over the change, especially after hearing for years that the 1-10 whole number system would never change, the impact on the average collector will be relatively insignificant.

I feel that drawbacks will be the volume of resubmission and all that it represents. Those with high end collections will reap a reward as their collections will probably jump in quality, but the fact that they will have to pay for resubmission and review is a bit unnerving. I can also understand the frustration of some sellers that recently moved high end cards that may now feel they've sold themselves short.

My concern also lies in the fact that low end PSA 9's will no longer be graded as they will now be PSA 8.5's. It will eliminate a lot of the "buy and crack" routines as the margin from PSA 8 to PSA 8.5 will not be remotely as lucrative as the margin between PSA 8 and PSA 9.

Also, what will this do to the PSA 9 market on tough population cards? I'm guessing we could see a significant bump in some of these prices over the next 12 months as more PSA 8.5 (both from PSA 8 reviews and newly graded raw material) show up and less PSA 9's enter the population.

I spent several years working as a senior grader at SGC and I cannot express enough how the 92 (8.5) was a safety valve grade. The use of the 8.5 was not purposeful or with the intent of limiting the MINT grade, but it was a reward for a very strong NM-MT card that just couldn't meet the standard for the MINT grade. I expect that we'll see the same thing happen with PSA grading on tougher issues and even condition sensitive newer material.

In the long run, I think the high end collector will be rewarded for his collection and it wouldn't shock me to see a boon in SGC realized prices (especially the half grade cards) as a result of the introduction of PSA's use of the half point system.

For those wondering why I don't mention Beckett having any effect or impact is that I sure that most of us realize that cracking out anything significant from a BGS holder is risking never getting into a PSA or SGC holder of ANY grade.

Just my thoughts . . . Feel free to flame away!

Comments

  • ttt
    Collecting PSA graded Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Bret Saberhagen and 1980s Topps Cards.
    Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
  • good points

    the only thing im leary of is your Stitzen Avatar
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