To Peel or Not to Peel? 1994-95 Finest Refractor for Grading Purposes - Opinions Please

Meatloaf

I am about to submit a 1994-95 Finest Refractors #331 Michael Jordan card (see pics below) for PSA grading. Does anyone have opinions for "leave the peel on or take the peel off" in the context of achieving the highest grade possible?

I think my card has the potential to be a 10, like this one here (w/ peel - Example 10). However, the peel has many pin hole sized bubbles on it. I do not want to take a surface hit for these peel only blemishes. BGS states on their site that they grade the peel as if it were the actual surface of the card. In the end, people get terrible hits like this (3 x 9.5s and the Hit of Death leaving the peel on.

I personally like the look of these MJ refractors cards w/o the peel (see my two other 1993-94s pictured below the 1994-95). However, I am concerned about physically damaging this perfect card with my fat fingers trying to get the peel off, either by dinging corners or chipping the edges...or by having the peel come off and strip some of the surface with it (being that the peel is 20 years old).

I am looking for any suggestions here with regard to the peel. If you say taking it off has a high potential of increasing the likely hood of a 10, then please also offer tips on how to best remove the peel. If you recommend leaving it on, please explain how PSA takes peels into account (i.e. compared to BGS) for overall grading marks.

Thank you.

Meatloaf

miconelegacy

I've done both. You have to be very careful peeling it off. If the the is perfectly on, on all edges I would keep it on. I believe it will carry a higher premium if it grades a 10.

saucywombat

This is about all I collect - Finest Refractors - and I can tell you for certain that there is no premium what so ever associated with a card having the peel on - particularly in the graded context.

Peeling will give you a much greater chance of higher PSA grades.

Use a needle under magnification to get a corner started and then peel away.

miconelegacy

<< <i>This is about all I collect - Finest Refractors - and I can tell you for certain that there is no premium what so ever associated with a card having the peel on - particularly in the graded context.

Peeling will give you a much greater chance of higher PSA grades.

Use a needle under magnification to get a corner started and then peel away. >>



I'm not saying your wrong if this is all you collect. I just looked at 94-95 completed auctions and some of them have w/coating in the title.

I've done both, but sounds like without the coating it's worth more. It is I know hard to get a 10 with the coating. I just thought it was worth more that way bc often times they are already partially or a little bit peeled. Good info saucy.

detroitlion20

I know that some of the registry sets require both with peel and with out for the composite. I think it is just a preference. They do look nicer with out and they will be protected in a PSA holder anyway.

halosfan

<< <i>I know that some of the registry sets require both with peel and with out for the composite. I think it is just a preference. They do look nicer with out and they will be protected in a PSA holder anyway. >>



That is true all the way around.

Stingray

Yes, the colors really do pop so much more without the protector!!

Tishasheree

If you look closely under magnification, you can usually find a corner that is already slightly lifted, and go from there. The cards look so much better without the coating.

Meatloaf

Looks like it is off with the peel...will provide "after results" in a few days...need to find a magnifying glass....was going to buy a Loupe...guess I need it now.

MrNearMint

I believe that the peel was never intend to be left on long term, and sometimes it can start to bubble and peel off. I would usually leave the peel on because the peel is an original part of the card, and I like to keep it that way. However, in your case with the peel starting to bubble, that would almost certainly effect the grade so I would agree with everyone and say peel away!

Constantine

Topps does say to peel and remove it.........

dtkk49a

If the peel is perfect, I would leave it. Otherwise,, it should be removed for grading.

PhilG

Diana Rigg would say “Peel It”.

hyperchipper09

Though not technically refractors, the 95/96 and 96/97 Select Certified Hockey Mirror Gold cards have the peel and I second what someone else said about not leaving on long term. I've got 2 95 Mirror Gold Chelios'. Peeled one, left the other. As careful as possible I was, but, the peel actually removed some of the card coating. I left the other unpeeled and same for some Scott Stevens I have, left unpeeled. I'd rather take a coupe of points hit on grading instead of killing my cards.

Meatloaf

<< <i>Though not technically refractors, the 95/96 and 96/97 Select Certified Hockey Mirror Gold cards have the peel and I second what someone else said about not leaving on long term. I've got 2 95 Mirror Gold Chelios'. Peeled one, left the other. As careful as possible I was, but, the peel actually removed some of the card coating. I left the other unpeeled and same for some Scott Stevens I have, left unpeeled. I'd rather take a coupe of points hit on grading instead of killing my cards. >>




Yikes!

PSASAP

It's socially irresponsible not to leave the cover on. Oh wait, I'm thinking of something else. :-)

Estil

Was kinda in the same boat you were. Click to find out what I chose to do

PSASAP

Here's something to make you feel old: refractors are 21 years old now, so someone buy that refractor a beer!

bouwob

When I was growing up the thought was not to peel. With how I grew up, I would spend 20-30% more with an unpeeled in the same grade as a peeled (of course they are much harder to grade that way).

I think if I was running on an investment standpoint, I would let the population report make my decision. For the right collector, a PSA 6 that is best in class is still more valuable than a PSA 10 that has 50 other copies.