Two Fringe Grading Companies
BRDSR
Posts: 94
Just recently started trying to put together a 1965 Topps set I started a few years ago. About halfway there, but in going through the cards, I noticed two graded by fringe companies.
My Steve Carlton rookie (#477)is graded 7 by Certified Sports Authentication, and that seems accurate if not a little conservative. This webpage suggests that the company is legitimate.
My Gibson World Series card (#138) is graded 10 by Graded Rookies Authenticated, and that is most obviously a sham. The corners and edges are decent, but with a very light crease near the bottom I doubt it could be anything better than a 4. This comports with this statement, which I found here: "Graded Rookies Authenticated-(GRA)- This company is a guy who grades the cards himself and assigns a ten to them to try to garner higher market prices. Trust me when I say he gives them a 10. I will give a $100 dollars to anyone that can find a graded card by this company that is anything other than a 10. To top it off the cards are not encazpsulated but put in a screwdown holder. This guy is shady."
My question is, as these cards are not graded by one of the top four or five companies, is their value (especially the Gibson) diminished by being in the cases? If so, do you recommend that I crack the case? And if so, is anyone experienced in such matters? Is there a better or worse way to try and do it?
Any help appreciated, thanks.
Brad
My Steve Carlton rookie (#477)is graded 7 by Certified Sports Authentication, and that seems accurate if not a little conservative. This webpage suggests that the company is legitimate.
My Gibson World Series card (#138) is graded 10 by Graded Rookies Authenticated, and that is most obviously a sham. The corners and edges are decent, but with a very light crease near the bottom I doubt it could be anything better than a 4. This comports with this statement, which I found here: "Graded Rookies Authenticated-(GRA)- This company is a guy who grades the cards himself and assigns a ten to them to try to garner higher market prices. Trust me when I say he gives them a 10. I will give a $100 dollars to anyone that can find a graded card by this company that is anything other than a 10. To top it off the cards are not encazpsulated but put in a screwdown holder. This guy is shady."
My question is, as these cards are not graded by one of the top four or five companies, is their value (especially the Gibson) diminished by being in the cases? If so, do you recommend that I crack the case? And if so, is anyone experienced in such matters? Is there a better or worse way to try and do it?
Any help appreciated, thanks.
Brad
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Comments
Saw your post that your working on the 65 set. I started it a couple of years ago but am never going to be able to finish it. I have around 200 PSA 7/8s including stars, high numbers and some of the tougher cards. Send me your email and will get you a list and prices.
Jeff
jeff58@sbcglobal.net
PS...you need to turn your PM on under profile so people can send you notes/comments.
PMs turned on and one sent to you. Look forward to hearing from you.
Brad
The newer CSA elite (snazzy clear holder with hologram logo) are almost all trimmed as they have the lowest minimum gradeable size in the industry - all shorties get graded.
The Blue holders are about 50/50 trimmed or not in my experience.
The oldest holders (clear with a PSA-like label) are also about 50/50. I have had some success and some disappointments with the older CSA's - hope you fare well with yours.
Bosox1976