May set registry grading "special": Review Results Thread
nike24801
Posts: 448
I sent in 33 cards for the 1/2 price review special and just got my first results so I thought I'd start a thread to see how everyone's results are. After getting no bumps on my first 3 reviews I'm pretty convinced this is just another money grab (had a Jim Brown 7 that I can't see how it didn't bump), but we'll let the results decide. I sent in a 65 Biletnikoff 8 (one bad corner, but very nice centering), '52 Bowman large Stydahar 7 (didn't think it would bump but worth a shot) and the Jimmy Brown 7. So far my tally:
0-3
Jasen
0-3
Jasen
0
Comments
In fairness, I sent all of my best bumpable cards for review last year when the half grades first came out and got quite a few bumps. About a 20% success rate.
Of the 4 cards I already got results on, 2 of them had been sent previously and denied. The other 2 are newer additions, both high dollar cards (over $1,000 in PSA 8). I was not supremely confident in any of these bumping, but at half the grading fee it was worth the gamble. And make no mistake, this is a form of gambling...lol
We will see what happens with the 16 card order. Probably half of those 16 had been sent in before and denied. But there are a few new ones that I am confident deserve a bump. Any less than 3 bumps on that order and PSA is definitely grading reviews tougher than they were a year ago.
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
I'm pulling only those cards with nearly 50-50 centering, 4 sharp corners and little to no print defects. These are cards that usually 9 but were apparently reviewed by the grader of death. Anyone know how leanient they are for print dots? I have some '61T baseball that are otherwise vending fresh mint cards but have a few black specs which are common on '61s.
1957 Topps 99% 7.40 GPA
Hank Aaron Basic PSA 7-8(75%)
Current tally:
3 for 18
Jasen
<< <i>To be fair, I didn't think the Stydahar would bump due to a stain on the back, but the front was so nice and it's such a high dollar card I thought it worth the review fee. Also, 4 of the first order of 15 that I sent in were graded under the new .5 scale, so not a huge surprise they didn't bump. Take those out and I'm 3 for 13, still not great. The one I am most disappointed with is the Jim Brown, I am really shocked that it did not bump. Otherwise, about what I expected. The Langer and Winslow bumps paid for the entire submission and then some, and I still have a sub of '48 Leaf and '52 Bowman large HOF RCs yet to pop so it's all gravy with the bumps I get there. I do expect some bumps, particularly with the Doak Walker and Bednarik Leafs and the McElhenny Bowman. We'll see.....
Jasen >>
FYI, I've gotten lots of bumps over the past couple of years, but one set that I have had ZERO luck with is the 1948 Leaf. Not one single solitary bump from any I have sent in. They were all 5-6-7 grades...Usually the little sticker from the grader says "corners"... Hopefully you can get the tide turned for us all Jasen..lol..I've got a couple there in one of my orders right now..Still hoping they will finally see things my way...lol
Also, 20% bumpage, even when you send your best and brightest and you've had a very good submission. I've sent in anywhere between 10-15 review orders over the past few years (they were doing reviews even before the .5 change) and 20-25% has typically been my best submissions, although the last few (2009) have been closer to 10-15%...
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
<< <i>Also, 20% bumpage, even when you send your best and brightest and you've had a very good submission. I've sent in anywhere between 10-15 review orders over the past few years (they were doing reviews even before the .5 change) and 20-25% has typically been my best submissions, although the last few (2009) have been closer to 10-15%...
Jason >>
I'd get 20%+ full grade bumps when submitting before the half point system was implemented (during 'grader of death' days). By right, if I'm submitting the same quality misses today, the percentage going to 8.5 should be much higher than what used to bump to 9.
I really think 8.5's are graded more harshly than 9s. Based on submissions posted on these forums, not many half point grades are awarded at first submission. Those seem to be reserved for only those few special cards that are the cream of the crop of the lower full grade level. I'm willing to bet the graders scruitize the half grades much more than the full grades. So you'd be much more likely to have a card grade out a 9 than an 8.5. So the 1/2 grade system really isn't a half grade per se but more a placeholder for the nicest few % of all cards graded at the lower full point level.
<< <i>
<< <i>Also, 20% bumpage, even when you send your best and brightest and you've had a very good submission. I've sent in anywhere between 10-15 review orders over the past few years (they were doing reviews even before the .5 change) and 20-25% has typically been my best submissions, although the last few (2009) have been closer to 10-15%...
Jason >>
I'd get 20%+ full grade bumps when submitting before the half point system was implemented (during 'grader of death' days). By right, if I'm submitting the same quality misses today, the percentage going to 8.5 should be much higher than what used to bump to 9.
I really think 8.5's are graded more harshly than 9s. Based on submissions posted on these forums, not many half point grades are awarded at first submission. Those seem to be reserved for only those few special cards that are the cream of the crop of the lower full grade level. I'm willing to bet the graders scruitize the half grades much more than the full grades. So you'd be much more likely to have a card grade out a 9 than an 8.5. So the 1/2 grade system really isn't a half grade per se but more a placeholder for the nicest few % of all cards graded at the lower full point level. >>
Good observation, and I agree with your assessment. Dead on, my bump %'s on reviews were actually HIGHER in the pre-half grade days than they are now. i thought maybe my vision was just getting worse...lol
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
Jasen
3 for 11 SGC crossover under $500.00
0 for 7 PSA Review 500 +
0 for 2 PSA Review 1500 +
0 for 4 SGC Crossover 1000 +
I'm still waiting on a 15 card lot of under 500 review.
I would say I've always run about 20% on reviews and probably 50% on sgc crossovers. But not this time. I'm probably done with the whole review process.
What really shocked me was the crossover and many of the cards are very nice.
Here's some scan of my SGC crossovers,
1957 Unitas -- I thought it was close, especially after seeing Mosh's 9
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/yakbigham/Football Collection/1957ToppsJohnUnitasSGC92.jpg
1950 Fears -- -- Centering dead on
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/yakbigham/Football Collection/1950BowmanTomFearsSGC96.jpg
1957 lane -- Looks like a 8 to me, but I guess I was wrong
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/yakbigham/Football Collection/11957ToppsDickLaneSGC88.jpg
52 millner -- this is one of the few that crossed and I actually thought because of the centering it wouldn't.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t207/yakbigham/Football Collection/1952bowmansmallWayneMillnerpsa8.jpg
I didn't have scans of all of my SGC , but heres a taste.
Jasen
1 for 6 Express Service Level ($500-$1,999)
3 for 9 Regular Service Level (under $500)
The 1 of 6 was my 1953 Topps Mantle from PSA 6 to 6.5 (sweet!).
My 3 for 9 were a '52 Bowman Large Otto Graham from PSA 7 to 7.5 (brilliant centering); '62 Jim Brown PSA 7 to 7.5 (not much corner wear, POP 1); and '72 Staubach RC PSA 8 to 8.5 (bright color, centered). All four are viewable on my "Weinhold's Top 250 Sportscards In The Hobby" Registry.
I also have had trouble getting half-point bumps on 1948 and 1949 Leaf Football cards - like my Waterfield, Pihos, Baugh, and others that are well centered with strong color. They placed sticky notes on them pointing to corner wear. I like the sticky notes to at least know the reason for not getting the bump, and didn't expect them to see them.
BTW, I did not qualify for the Set Registry "Special" because my cards were postmarked on the last day of April and I seemed to do OK. Maybe you get what you pay for? J/K
I have sent in one other sub for review.....20 cards and 7 were bumped. The seven were all 1959 Topps.....Berra, Skowron, Richardson, Stengel All Star, Killebrew, Triandos and Billy Hunter.
My recommendation is to only send in the blazers and not only check centering, but most importantly check the corners. Also check for any minor print flaws. The card damn near has to be a 9 to get an 8.5. I sent some in that did not bump and at first glance, they are screamers....but the corners held them back.
If anyone sends in a large quantity, I fear that you will be very disappointed unless you have checked each card out thoroughly before submitting. Be careful not to waste money on this....although PSA would love that.
I heard Joe Orlando talk about this previously, and his view is that the card has to be technically about an 8.7 to 9.0 to get the bump. They don't have their grading set up in those numbers, but it has to be a very high end 8 to get the 8.5.
Collect primarily 1959-1963 Topps Baseball
set registry id Don Johnson Collection
ebay id truecollector14
Mariner, congrats on that 1959 Mantle. The color and print quality are killa! Terrific.
<< <i>FYI, I've gotten lots of bumps over the past couple of years, but one set that I have had ZERO luck with is the 1948 Leaf. Not one single solitary bump from any I have sent in. They were all 5-6-7 grades...Usually the little sticker from the grader says "corners"... Hopefully you can get the tide turned for us all Jasen..lol..I've got a couple there in one of my orders right now..Still hoping they will finally see things my way...lol
Jason >>
Well, Jason, score one for the good guys! I submitted 7 cards from '48 Leaf and one got one bump, but it was a nice one....Bobby Layne from a 6 to a 6.5! Other bumps were '50 Bowman Groza (7 to 7.5) and '52 Bowman McElhenny (7 to 7.5). On this sub, 3 for 15, bringing my total for all subs under the special to 6 for 33, a little under 20%. A couple I were disapppointed in were my '58 Jim Brown RC and my '48 Leaf Doak Walker, both of which I think were dead centered and should have bumped, but what can you do...Good luck to the rest of you on your subs.
Jasen
<< <i>
<< <i>FYI, I've gotten lots of bumps over the past couple of years, but one set that I have had ZERO luck with is the 1948 Leaf. Not one single solitary bump from any I have sent in. They were all 5-6-7 grades...Usually the little sticker from the grader says "corners"... Hopefully you can get the tide turned for us all Jasen..lol..I've got a couple there in one of my orders right now..Still hoping they will finally see things my way...lol
Jason >>
Well, Jason, score one for the good guys! I submitted 7 cards from '48 Leaf and one got one bump, but it was a nice one....Bobby Layne from a 6 to a 6.5! Other bumps were '50 Bowman Groza (7 to 7.5) and '52 Bowman McElhenny (7 to 7.5). On this sub, 3 for 15, bringing my total for all subs under the special to 6 for 33, a little under 20%. A couple I were disapppointed in were my '58 Jim Brown RC and my '48 Leaf Doak Walker, both of which I think were dead centered and should have bumped, but what can you do...Good luck to the rest of you on your subs.
Jasen >>
SWEET! Throw up some scans of that 48 Leaf when you get it back so we can use it for comparison sake.
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
http://www.psacard.com/SetRegistry/showcase.aspx?sc=829
I submitted the Walker, Layne, McAfee, Baugh, and Trippi from the ones listed in my showcase, only the Layne bumped. On the '52 Bowmans, I submitted the Marchetti, McElhenny, Donovan, Christiansen & Lary and only the McElhenny got a bump. Some of them I knew wouldn't bump, and I thought the Layne & McElhenny were definitely two of the stronger cards, but did expect a couple others. Who knows, may try some again...
Jasen
0 for 2 Express Service Level ($500-$1,999 / card)
2 for 10 Regular Service Level (Under $500 / card)
This brings my totals for all my review submissions over the past six weeks back closer to the norm:
1 for 8 Express Service Level ($500-$1,999 / card)
5 for 19 Regular Service Level (Under $500 / card)
6 for 27 grand review total for a 22.2% conversion percentage.
My best bump on the recent pile of ten was my 1958 Topps Sonny Jurgensen RC from PSA 8 to 8.5. This is one card that barely made my cut for submission because the color appeared dull such that the yellow frame didn't contrast against the white borders very much. Apparently, other card qualities like corners, image registration, and centering must have made up for it. I sometimes use a 10x loupe (like I think PSA does) to help me make review decisions.
Jasen
Line # Item # Cert # Grade Description Type Country
1 1 40047307 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 150 WILLIE MAYS Card US
2 1 04224393 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1961 TOPPS 307 WORLD SERIES GAME 2 MANTLE SLAMS 2 HOMERS Card US
3 1 08122877 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 388 BOB CLEMENTE Card US
4 1 60059120 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 415 HANK AARON Card US
5 1 40211654 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 417 JUAN MARICHAL Card US
6 1 02162223 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 475 MICKEY MANTLE MVP Card US
7 1 60040252 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 484 HANK AARON MVP Card US
8 1 31558754 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1961 TOPPS 575 ERNIE BANKS ALL STAR Card US
9 1 06434532 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 577 HANK AARON ALL STAR Card US
10 1 09045165 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1969 TOPPS 95 JOHNNY BENCH ALL-STAR ROOKIE Card US
11 1 08045748 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1969 TOPPS 100 HANK AARON Card US
12 1 08045749 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1969 TOPPS 120 PETE ROSE Card US
13 1 30387886 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1952 TOPPS 94 SAM MELE Card US
14 1 30527452 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1956 TOPPS 164 HARMON KILLEBREW GRAY BACK Card US
15 1 09062055 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1956 TOPPS 292 LUIS APARICIO Card US
16 1 01060444 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1957 TOPPS 212 ROCCO COLAVITO Card US
17 1 04499944 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1959 TOPPS 360 AL KALINE Card US
18 1 02029521 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 578 MICKEY MANTLE ALL STAR Card US
19 1 31024010 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1971 TOPPS 513 NOLAN RYAN Card US
20 1 30290082 MINT 9 1970 TOPPS 660 JOHNNY BENCH Card US
21 1 01173936 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1968 TOPPS 280 MICKEY MANTLE Card US
22 1 08171858 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1968 TOPPS 247 REDS ROOKIES J.BENCH/R.TOMPKINS Card US
23 1 04215552 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1963 TOPPS 553 1963 ROOKIE STARS Card US
24 1 02057534 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1969 TOPPS 190 WILLIE MAYS Card US
Edited to add that I did put a sticker on the holders of the cards I wanted to have reholdered regardless of their bump status. Hopefully PSA complied with my request.
grats
please let us know if they did reholder when you receive them back.
thanks
SKY
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
<< <i>Pretty solid results. How long did they take to pop? >>
Total Items: 24
Date Received: 6/3/2009
Date Shipped: 6/22/2009
Order Status: Shipped
It was the 10 working day option. They didn't quite make it.
EAR MINT-MINT 8 1959 TOPPS 202 ROGER MARIS Card US
2 1 06456524 NEAR MINT 7 1959 TOPPS 222 BOBBY SHANTZ Card US
3 1 01767764 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1959 TOPPS 310 LUIS APARICIO Card US
4 1 09053946 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1959 TOPPS 360 AL KALINE Card US
5 1 03412240 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 425 YOGI BERRA Card US
6 1 04020358 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 472 YOGI BERRA MVP Card US
7 1 09043657 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 541 ROLAND SHELDON Card US
8 1 09038108 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1961 TOPPS 559 JIM GENTILE Card US
9 1 40436872 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1961 TOPPS 576 ROGER MARIS ALL STAR Card US
10 1 30030988 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1961 TOPPS 578 MICKEY MANTLE ALL STAR Card US
11 1 09044852 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1961 TOPPS 579 WILLIE MAYS ALL STAR Card US
12 1 08066015 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1963 TOPPS 300 WILLIE MAYS Card US
13 1 31039722 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1964 TOPPS 300 HANK AARON Card US
14 1 30754623 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1964 TOPPS 541 BRAVES ROOKIES P.ROOF/P.NIEKRO Card US
15 1 04516945 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1965 TOPPS 250 WILLIE MAYS Card US
16 1 02515628 MINT 9 1966 TOPPS 126 JIM PALMER Card US
17 1 01785342 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1966 TOPPS 555 RON PERRANOSKI Card US
18 1 02515641 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1967 TOPPS 200 WILLIE MAYS Card US
19 1 01737146 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1967 TOPPS 400 BOB CLEMENTE Card US
20 1 02089310 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1967 TOPPS 476 TONY PEREZ Card US
21 1 02515648 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1967 TOPPS 558 ORIOLES ROOKIES M.BELANGER/B.DILLMAN Card US
22 1 03065538 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1967 TOPPS 580 ROCKY COLAVITO Card US
23 1 08095783 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1967 TOPPS 600 BROOKS ROBINSON Card US
24 1 11663526 NEAR MINT-MINT 8 1967 TOPPS 605 MIKE SHANNON Card US
25 1 30754631 NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 1969 TOPPS 100 HANK AARON
<< <i>I posted my results in another thread, but I will post them here as well. My results were similar-8/25, including a full bump on the Palmer rookie.
>>
Some nice bumps. That '61 Gentile must have made your day!
<< <i>
<< <i>I posted my results in another thread, but I will post them here as well. My results were similar-8/25, including a full bump on the Palmer rookie.
>>
Some nice bumps. That '61 Gentile must have made your day! >>
I have to decide if I want to keep it, or downgrade to an 8. The 61 set is my favorite, so I might hang on to it. I definitely plan to sell the Palmer 9 and replace it with an 8.
1976 TOPPS 257 RANDY GRADISHAR 10
1976 TOPPS 158 RANDY WHITE 10
1990 ACTION PACKED ROOKIE UPDATE 38 JUNIOR SEAU 10
1990 ACTION PACKED ROOKIE UPDATE 39 CORTEZ KENNEDY 10 (POP 1)
2002 UPPER DECK XL 362 ALAN FANECA 10
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
<< <i>gemint,
grats
please let us know if they did reholder when you receive them back.
thanks
<STRONG>SKY</STRONG> >>
They did reholder the cards I asked them to. The others that didn't bump didn't get reholdered. So if you want a new holder, be sure to put a sticky on the old holder requesting it. The downside is the reholdered cards didn't retain the notes stating why the card didn't bump. That's not too bad though since I wasn't expecting any of those to bump.
On a side note, my '61 Aaron didn't bump because of top to bottom centering according to the note. The centering measures 60-40 which is within the guidelines of a 9. So why is 60-40 good enough for a 9 but not good enough for an 8.5??? Same goes for my '69 Aaron. Top to bottom centering is 60-40 yet that's what they pointed to as the reason for not upgrading.
I purchased this '56 Killebrew raw off eBay several years ago. I wish I had bid to win the equally nice '56 Mantle and '52 Snider being auctioned at the same time. I contacted the winner of the Mantle and he ended up getting a GAI 8.5 on it.
I won a 1970 set that included a PSA 9 Bench. I felt my 8 was every bit as strong as that 9, so I sold the 9 and kept the 8. This review vindicated my decision.