When to grade older commons?

GB5HOF

Hey guys...was hoping to get some input on when it's a good idea to grade older commons. These are commons that I'd actually like to sell....and I'm wondering if it's worth sending them for the $4.50 August special.....or just to sell them raw. I know I enjoy buying graded commons on eBay etc for the sets and players I'm collecting. Buying raw can sometimes be difficult when you can't actually hold the card in your hand.

I recently made a pilgrimage to my mothers house where 95% of my collection still sits. I'm 36, so the majority of what I have is from the overproduced 1980-1991 era. Not much value in any of it. But I do have a quite a stockpile of 1959 Topps that my father and I were collecting in the mid 80's. For whatever reason I always thought it was a cool set as kid...and he and I would hit shows in Michigan and Ohio on a regular basis. There was a dealer that always had the cleanest 59 commons...and he was selling them out of binders for 22 cents each. He got to know my father and I and would give us small discounts like 6 cards for a dollar, etc. Really a nice guy...and now looking back...some really pretty cards.

Anyway...I have about 300 commons that look to be in really nice shape. I don't have an interest, or the funds to complete this set. I got back into the hobby about 2 years ago and I'm working on some sets from the 70's...and on some player cards that I've always wanted. That being said...the investment I have in these cards in miniscule. Here are a couple of scans (there are no surface creases or stains on these cards)....please let me know what you think. Your opinion is greatly appreciated!

msassin

My 2 cents....if it is at least an '8' send it in.

Jensen - I'd send in (scan looks nice). Drake - I wouldn't (centering and top corners are a little soft)

lsutigers1973

I wouldn't sub the Jensen either if the color in top left corner is faded.

earlycalguy

with good scans and accurate grading you can get same money raw for them as graded, and save on the grading/shipping fees.

if you have any borderline psa 9 grade cards then you could send those in as a 9 would be a good jump in value.

use VCP and you can set the entire set to give you average prices for psa 8 cards and check that way

GB5HOF

I'll have to go back and look at the Jensen...it might be the scan. I hope so.

I'm also going through some raw 71 commons that I had too. I know these are really tough to get high grades on (based on what I've seen in the pop report)...but I'm looking at a few that I have and they look pretty good. The black borders and centering seem to make it nearly impossible to get a 9...and no way I have 10 I'm sure.

Brick

If you feel many are very nice perhaps you could send in a small sample to get a feel for the grades you would receive. You may pay a little extra per card but will avoid a disaster if PSA doesn't think they are as nice as you do.

leadoff4

From the scans and my experience... send some of the '59s(Jensen for sure) do NOT send the '71s... this is based off the scans shown.