SGC vs. PSA

MBMiller25

Guys, I am just starting to branch out from Modern ERA cards and set building and focus on vintage 50's 60's 70's HOF RC graded by PSA. My question is, I am really trying hard to acquire a 1968 Nolan Ryan PSA 8 card, but the cards are closing for more than I want to spend. I have located a beautiful SGC 88 that I think I can afford, but know very little about this grading company. Is SGC comparable to PSA in grading standards? Is one a harder grader than another? In terms of future resale, which graded card will bring more $$$ a PSA 8 or a SGC 88? If I purchased this SGC 88 and tried to cross it over to PSA for a PSA 8, do I have a realistic chance of getting it to cross? Thanks in advance for the help.

ROCKDJRW

I think SGC is a great company. I also feel that generally a card would have a good chance of being crossed over if you want to risk cracking it out and submitting. Not so sure if it would cross presented in its SGC holder. I also believe SGC is less strict on a cards centering so be sure to check that before purchasing. I say if you like the card buy it and enjoy it in the SGC holder. Good luck with your collection!

MBMiller25

Thanks for the information, This card is dead centered which is one of the reason its so appealing to me, has sharp corners, very nice card overall. I would not crack the case and send to PSA, I would be inclined to send to PSA in the SGC holder and hoped it crossed over.

Stingray

From what I have read, it is better to crack the card out before sending it in to PSA.

PoppaJ

Crack and submit .... that's the way to go.

I'll go out on a limb from personal experience to tell you that if you don't
crack the card 1st, it will come back the same equivalent grade or lower almost every time.

We've subbed hundreds of different 1951-69 Mantles to PSA, over the past couple of years, and have learned
very quickly that cross-overs don't do well at all, whereas crack-outs do.

If you do decide to submit cards as cross-overs to PSA, just be sure to enter a minimum grade in the space provided on the
submission form, which will prevent them from lowering the grade.

PoppaJ

Mickey71

PoppaJ hit the nail on the head. Crossovers on high dollar cards do not do well. In fact I've tried on about 5 SGC 88 Mantle's and each time PSA says minimum grade not met. They were nice 8's. I've actually done better crossing GAI over to PSA. I never really hear of anyone crossing over expensive (over $1000) cards. You have to crack the card out of the case first. Although, this can be a disaster. There are many trimmed cards in SGC and PSA holders. But, if you don't crack it out you are just donating money in most cases. There is obviously a bias in regards to crossovers. The fact that this happens frequently is actually troubling to me.
Mickey71

jrinck

Here's what you do if you want to prove bias...

First send the cards in holdered from the other company. If they come back "Minimum Grade Not Met", then crack and resubmit. Then note the grade that it comes back at.

I'm sure after about a sample of ten or so that you'd be able to get a good handle on if there's bias or not.

VitoCo1972

If the card is dead centered, crack it. SGC is notoriously easy on centering but tough on edges. Who knows, you may have an 8.5...or a Evid. of Trimming

But hey, I enjoy gambling!

smtjoy

I primarly use SGC and I am very happy. I do agree with the advice here in that if you want it in a PSA holder then crack and sub is the only way to go. I have had good luck and nearly all I have cracked out came back equal or higher graded from SGC. As someone mentioned above PSA is harder on centering and SGC harder on corners. Plus I have never had an SGC card come back trimmed from PSA but have had a number of Gai's.

Boopotts

<< <i>Here's what you do if you want to prove bias...

First send the cards in holdered from the other company. If they come back "Minimum Grade Not Met", then crack and resubmit. Then note the grade that it comes back at.

I'm sure after about a sample of ten or so that you'd be able to get a good handle on if there's bias or not. >>



Someone on these boards actually did this about three years ago and the results seem to conclusively indicate that there was a bias at work.

WinPitcher

The fact that this happens frequently is actually troubling to me.


Not to me it isn't, some people expect PSA (or ) SGC to be able to grade a high dollar card
when it is in a slab. I think they like to err on the side of caution. If they crack the slab
they now have to grade it at the minimum when in fact it may not be.


Welcome and good luck!


Steve

earlycalguy

not high dollar cards but I just had 2 sgc's 7.5 cards come back trimmed from psa. cracked out of holder when sent in. they both looked like 8's.

shagrotn77

Speaking from experience, PSA will not cross a high $ card from another holder, even if it should be a slam dunk crossover. I had a high $ SGC 92 card that they would put, at best, in a 7.5 holder. It's all a farce.

MBMiller25

Guys, I am not sure I have the "You know whats" to purchase a $1300-$1500 card like a SGC 88/PSA 8 Nolan Ryan RC and then crack it taking the chance that I get at least the same grade. I would love to be able to actually attach the pic of this card that I am considering purchasing. It is 52KB and I dont know how to downsize it so that I can attach it. If someone is willing to allow me to email this picture to them, and shrink it, and put it up on here, I would love to get some opinions. Let me know guys, My email is mbmiller25@yahoo.com

MBMiller25

Here is a picture in questions. Thoughts? Crack it and send to PSA? Keep it as is?

WinPitcher

If you don't have the you no whats then live with it in the SGC holder.

What does the reverse look like?

Also, get a photobucket account and you then can post pics here.

Steve

chaz43

<< <i>Speaking from experience, PSA will not cross a high $ card from another holder, even if it should be a slam dunk crossover. I had a high $ SGC 92 card that they would put, at best, in a 7.5 holder. It's all a farce. >>



That is your experience. My experience is that I had a 57' Power Hitters Mantle GAI 8 that crossed to a PSA 8, so it does happen. I've had SGC cards that would not grade with PSA and PSA cards that would not grade with SGC. I have submitted cards to BVG that would not grade ( I really don't think they know what they are doing somtimes) from PSA. It's bizarre. chaz

BobaFett72

my advice; keep it in the beautiful SGC holder.

akuracy503

Someone Please Confirm......SGC graded cards found trimmed and rejected by PSA??

I posted a similar subject a few days ago (See 1953 Topps Mantle...Opinions for a Buyer)

What is the likelihood that SGC will misgrade and athenticate a trimmed card...I'd hate to drop good money for an SGC card to realize I purchased a trimmed card!! this would be a nightmare...

perkdog

<< <i>That is your experience. My experience is that I had a 57' Power Hitters Mantle GAI 8 that crossed to a PSA 8, so it does happen. I've had SGC cards that would not grade with PSA and PSA cards that would not grade with SGC. I have submitted cards to BVG that would not grade ( I really don't think they know what they are doing somtimes) from PSA. It's bizarre. chaz >>



Chaz did this happen before or after the .5 bump thing took effect?

MBMiller25

For what its worth, the seller of this card (1968 Ryan SGC 88), has a brother that has been cutting 1984 Topps Football sheets and having them submitted to BGS for BGS 9.5 and BGS 10 of the Elway and Marino RC. At which time, this seller is selling the newly graded 84 Marino and Elways that have been flooding the market. With that in mind this certainly has me a bit concerned that if I was to crack this card, it might come back trimmed.

bikerider60

SCG is the best ,they will call you and ask Questions. They're Grading standers are the best. What more could a COMPANY DO. They Don't Play Favorites.........Like some others...................

TheHun

Does anyone else think this PSA card (left) looks trimmed ?


Goudey Indian Gum

WinPitcher

They Don't Play Favorites..


Are you sure?

Ive heard some horror stories regarding them as well.

Mostly from the top........



Steve

fkw

Why crack it? SGC has a better slab and is a better company overall. If anything crack PSA cards out and send them to SGC. At least in true vintage (1880-1941) thats the way to go. IMO

But if your collection is mostly PSA cards (that would suck) then Im sure you dont want mixed slabs. Its sort of like when CD's hit the market in the early 1980s many diehard record collectors took forever to switch over. SGC has passed PSA in vintage and will take them in modern (1948-Now) a few years down the road. IMO

dfr52

<< <i>For what its worth, the seller of this card (1968 Ryan SGC 88), has a brother that has been cutting 1984 Topps Football sheets and having them submitted to BGS for BGS 9.5 and BGS 10 of the Elway and Marino RC. At which time, this seller is selling the newly graded 84 Marino and Elways that have been flooding the market. With that in mind this certainly has me a bit concerned that if I was to crack this card, it might come back trimmed. >>



I have cards from each of the three companies in my collection. I like BGS for newer stuff (1990 and up) but the number of 1984 BGS 9.5's is crazy. Since the Ryan is pretty popular card you would think SGC would really look the card over so errors did not occur.

RawPlusSlabbed

<< <i>
What is the likelihood that SGC will misgrade and athenticate a trimmed card...I'd hate to drop good money for an SGC card to realize I purchased a trimmed card!! this would be a nightmare... >>



The likelyhood for SGC to encapsulate a trimmed card is less than any of the other grading companies. Also, the likelyhood of SGC making good on an error is higher than any of the other grading companies.

SGC has the the most knowledgable card graders in the business and it aint even close.

jay0791

yes mr hun
imo the goudy certainly looks trimmed. the s/s borders are square....yet t/b are not and the top edge looks to slant down.
psa is pretty good at catching trimmed cards but some do get by.