Information/Opinions on Graded Unopened Packs Needed

slum22

I wanted to get some opinions on vintage (pre-80's) and premium 80's wax packs. I have mainly collected singles (for set building purposes) and I know higher graded singles can go for premiums over raw and lower graded samples. My main questions are:

1. If you are not planning on busting the packs and want to just have a collection of classic unopened packs is it worth paying the premium for graded vs. ungraded packs?

2. What type of premium is placed on ungraded vs. PSA 7 vs. PSA 8 vs. PSA 9 packs?

The reason I ask is because I have been researching using sold Ebay auctions and it seems like there is a certain premium placed on graded vs. ungraded wax (which makes sense since you are presumably paying for the relative confidence that the pack has not been tampered with). However, comparing the premiums of graded packs PSA 7 vs. 8 vs. 9, etc. There does not seem to be as steep of a premium on higher grades compared to slightly lower graded packs as there is with higher graded singles vs their lower graded counterparts.

Thanks for your insights!

Beezer12

Authentication should be all that matters with packs as grading at those higher levels is mostly about which rumpled and folded wax coated paper originally intended for the garbage has more eye appeal than the next rumpled and folded wax coated paper originally intended for the garbage. Grading packs is a blend of marketing and voodoo.

slum22

Beezer,

So I take it then that you don't care so much between a PSA 7, 8 or 9 as they are all authenticated and the grading is based more on the wrapper vs. the actual grades of the cards in the pack. I would guess then that is why the price between a PSA 9 pack and a PSA 7 pack is marginal while the difference of a single card in PSA 9 is likely far greater in value than the same PSA 7 single. Thanks for chiming in.

dtkk49a

There can be a big difference in price between a PSA 9 graded wax pack and a PSA 7 graded wax pack. If I submit a pack and it comes back a 7, I am tempted to crack and rip that pack.

ReggieCleveland

I am by no means the yardstick of the market, but I couldn't care less what the numerical grade of the pack is. I just want it authenticated by Steve Hart and protected by the slab.

It also doesn't hurt that I can't, for the life of me, determine what does and what does not qualify packs for certain grades. PSA 8 & 9 packs with the gum fused to the cards or grubby (dirty) wrappers? I don't want a pack with a wrapper tear but other than that I'm not picky.

Does PSA post their grading standards for packs like they do with cards?

slum22

I honestly don't know what the grading standards are. It seems to me the grade would be simply based on the condition of the wrapper itself. There would be no way to know if the pack was dropped on a corner thereby damaging the contents of the package. Since most collectors, myself included, are for more concerned with the condition of the contents (in this case the cards) as opposed to the package, it would seem like the most important part of grading should be the authentication aspect. My humble opinion would be that it doesn't make a lot of sense to put premiums on grades that are close to each other. I am new to graded packs so I am curious to hear more opinions.

Beezer12

Grading wax is all about the aesthetics of the wrapper and has nothing directly to do with the contents in terms of potential card grades for those higher graded packs in particular. It really depends on why you want the pack. Myself, I started collecting before grading so authentication was key because my interests aren't in the cards at all, just the combination of visual appeal of the graphics plus the element of rarity in having a sealed pack that has survived this long when it was made to be opened with the wrapper and display box thrown away.
That said, if one wants packs for the cards, with higher grade cards being the goal then pretty much all you can do is to avoid corner tears really as this is the most obvious wrapper condition that could indicates wear on the card corners. Grades up to 6 by either company might show such wear to varying extents and truthfully one shouldn't need a 3rd party to pick up on that as it's quite obvious usually. Grades of 7-9, sure the wrapper might be better centered to a degree, the graphics maybe cleaner, less crinkles, but such things are pretty subtle when we are talking about folded up, crinkled paper that's stained with wax in the highest graded packs to start with. Nothing wrong with collecting packs based on grade either. If the graders apply their companies standards consistantly one can tell a 9 from a 6, maybe even a 7 but i think the level of subjectivilty is much, much higher than is the case with cards.