Guess the grade: 1974 OPC Seaver (Update: Front and Back Scans added)

jmaciu · February 13, 2015 5:35AM

I just picked this beauty up. It has been kind of a white whale for me. It is in a PSA holder, so guess the grade:

pjb103183 · February 13, 2015 5:39AM

Im going to guess 8...very nice card john! 70s opc high grade is so tough!

charrigan · February 13, 2015 5:40AM

Really need a larger and clearer scan to tell. At this point, throwing a dart ..... 6!

mexpo75 · February 13, 2015 5:40AM

Very Nice. I would say 8 also.

MinorLeaguer · February 13, 2015 5:45AM

9(oc)

Gorgeous L/R!

FavreFan1971 · February 13, 2015 5:49AM

If you sale White Whale it's gotta be a nine but Dear Lord the "kind of white whale" comment makes we say PSA 7

Dusto · February 13, 2015 5:57AM

8oc

80sOPC · February 13, 2015 6:07AM

Looks like a 7

DavidPuddy · February 13, 2015 6:39AM

<< Looks like a 7 >>

This

gemint · February 13, 2015 6:49AM

I say 7 or 8(OC).

svtPONY95 · February 13, 2015 6:55AM

Nice card , John !! I'll say it's a 7.

grote15 · February 13, 2015 7:26AM

Due to L/R centering, I would say NM 7. Sharp card, John!

miwlvrn · February 13, 2015 7:51AM

8. It could also be a 9 (OC) but I'd prefer an 8 to that.

The centering is pretty darn good for 1974 OPC baseball.

cardsfan73 · February 13, 2015 8:09AM

7.5... Love the 74 OPC!!!

ldferg · February 13, 2015 8:17AM

9

Littletweed · February 13, 2015 8:24AM

'74 OPC is tough! Looks like an 8 to me

jmaciu · February 13, 2015 8:36AM

It is in a 9(OC) holder, do MinorLeaguer is correct. I really am not a fan of the qualifiers, but I feel like the centering on this one is not unappealing. The terrific L/R centering makes this card very presentable, especially with the horizontal layout. I will post a clearer scan when I get the card in hand. This is a card that I have been in search of for a long time. This is by far the best example of this issue I have come across.

DavidPuddy · February 13, 2015 8:37AM

It's a great card, and would not look out of place in an 8 holder. Congrats on the pickup.

OAKESY25 · February 13, 2015 8:48AM

7

OOPS didn't see you posted the grade

lahmejoon · February 13, 2015 9:09AM

So, the question is, if (generally speaking) a 9OC is the equivalent to a non-qualifier 7, which would you guys rather have? Personally, I think I would prefer a the 9OC grade.

Nice card!

LarkinCollector · February 13, 2015 9:22AM

<< So, the question is, if (generally speaking) a 9OC is the equivalent to a non-qualifier 7, which would you guys rather have? Personally, I think I would prefer a the 9OC grade.

Nice card! >>

I think this question would get a better response in a separate thread, but for at least 99% of cards I would take a 9(OC) over a 7 for equal money. The only flaw to the card is clearly identified and you know it's pack fresh sharpness in all other aspects.

That card is a beauty, but would look much nicer if he were in his proper Reds uni

grote15 · February 13, 2015 11:17AM

9OC almost always translates to a straight 7 in my experience if card is otherwise mint. This card is horizontal so the OC from L/R is not as detracting as it would be if card photo were positioned vertically. 9OC typically commands higher price than a straight 7, which can have other issues besides centering holding it back.

charrigan · February 13, 2015 11:26AM

I would rather have a 7

jmaciu · February 13, 2015 12:46PM

<< 

<< So, the question is, if (generally speaking) a 9OC is the equivalent to a non-qualifier 7, which would you guys rather have? Personally, I think I would prefer a the 9OC grade.

Nice card! >>

I think this question would get a better response in a separate thread, but for at least 99% of cards I would take a 9(OC) over a 7 for equal money. The only flaw to the card is clearly identified and you know it's pack fresh sharpness in all other aspects.

That card is a beauty, but would look much nicer if he were in his proper Reds uni

>>

So true, LarkinCollector!!!

grote15 · February 13, 2015 12:50PM

<< 

<< 

<< So, the question is, if (generally speaking) a 9OC is the equivalent to a non-qualifier 7, which would you guys rather have? Personally, I think I would prefer a the 9OC grade.

Nice card! >>

I think this question would get a better response in a separate thread, but for at least 99% of cards I would take a 9(OC) over a 7 for equal money. The only flaw to the card is clearly identified and you know it's pack fresh sharpness in all other aspects.

That card is a beauty, but would look much nicer if he were in his proper Reds uni

>>

So true, LarkinCollector!!! >>

Blasphemy!! Tom Terrific will always be known as "The Franchise," and not for the one in Ohio, either!

I still remember him in tears talking to reporters the night he found out that Grant traded him away to Cincy.

grote15 · February 13, 2015 12:52PM

Still one of, if not the darkest moments in NY Mets history.

The Midnight Massacre

KalineFan · February 13, 2015 1:17PM

I would normally have called that an (8) any day of the week, but I am guessing its the back that is
WELL off-center?

Tony
KalineFan

grote15 · February 13, 2015 1:58PM

<< I would normally have called that an (8) any day of the week, but I am guessing its the back that is
WELL off-center?

Tony
KalineFan >>

Compare white area between blue border and edge of card on top of scanned photo to the white area between the tan NY Mets pennant on bottom of card.

The OC is not nearly as noticeable to the eye on horizontal shots as opposed to vertical ones.

tsalems1 · February 13, 2015 2:28PM

<< 

<< I would normally have called that an (8) any day of the week, but I am guessing its the back that is
WELL off-center?

Tony
KalineFan >>

Compare white area between blue border and edge of card on top of scanned photo to the white area between the tan NY Mets pennant on bottom of card.

The OC is not nearly as noticeable to the eye on horizontal shots as opposed to vertical ones. >>

I agree

Littletweed · February 13, 2015 2:34PM

Centering is tough on OPC. There have been no '74 Seaver in a 9. Here's two to compare, neither cards are mine.

grote15 · February 13, 2015 2:37PM

I like John's 9OC better than either 8. The tilts are a pet peeve of mine.

jmaciu · February 13, 2015 11:09PM

<< I like John's 9OC better than either 8. The tilts are a pet peeve of mine. >>

I agree with you Tim, tilts are very hard on the eyes.

BTW, thanks for all the responses and kind words guys.

otwcards · February 13, 2015 11:44PM

I'd be hesitant suggesting that all PSA 9 (OC) would be PSA 7... I've seen some that would be hard pressed to get in a straight PSA 6 although they have incredible corners!

Chargers49ersTigers · February 13, 2015 11:51PM

I would take 9oc over PSA 7, as long as it is centered side to side, or left to right, depending on horizontal or vertical card, like your card is left to right. For me, top to bottom is less of eye sore if off center. Appeal of any card is much better when centered side to side or left to right. Great card! Congrats!!!!

PaulMaul · February 13, 2015 11:54PM

In theory, 9OC should not automatically be equivalent to an unqualified 7. It should be possible that a card is a structural 9, and has the centering required for an 8. That should still make it an unqualified 8, and a 9OC with qualifier.

That said, PSA almost always gives a grade of 7 when no qualifiers are requested and then would have given a 9OC. It bothers me because it seems like a card with more wear would have a better chance of getting an unqualified 8.

And of course, if the centering is really brutal for a structurally perfect card, 9OC could and should equate to grades lower than 7.

miwlvrn · February 14, 2015 12:06AM

<< In theory, 9OC should not automatically be equivalent to an unqualified 7. It should be possible that a card is a structural 9, and has the centering required for an 8. That should still make it an unqualified 8, and a 9OC with qualifier.

That said, PSA almost always gives a grade of 7 when no qualifiers are requested and then would have given a 9OC. It bothers me because it seems like a card with more wear would have a better chance of getting an unqualified 8.

And of course, if the centering is really brutal for a structurally perfect card, 9OC could and should equate to grades lower than 7. >>

Hypothetically, if you prefer 7 NQ to 9 (OC) but hope for a higher grade, then sent a card in raw with a request for NQ and got a 7, then subbed it again for review with a minimum grade 7.5 or 8 bump, I wonder what the success rate would be? Depending on how important the grade was, seems like an interesting experiment.

Either way, I think that Seaver should at least qualify for a 7.5, and compared to some 8's I've seen, has a shot at an 8 as well. 1974 OPC are so hard to find centered. I've pulled a couple 8's subbing from that set, but it isn't easy to find them and I'm surprised they don't sell for more than they do considering that difficulty, even compared just to the other 70's OPC baseball sets.

grote15 · February 14, 2015 1:30AM

<< In theory, 9OC should not automatically be equivalent to an unqualified 7. It should be possible that a card is a structural 9, and has the centering required for an 8. That should still make it an unqualified 8, and a 9OC with qualifier.

That said, PSA almost always gives a grade of 7 when no qualifiers are requested and then would have given a 9OC. It bothers me because it seems like a card with more wear would have a better chance of getting an unqualified 8.

And of course, if the centering is really brutal for a structurally perfect card, 9OC could and should equate to grades lower than 7. >>

I think that is primarily due to set registry weight which equates a 9OC with a 7. I would agree that not all 9OCs should be straight 7s, though they will generally assign the Mint grade with the OC qualifier if all other attributes of the card are mint other than centering that falls outside the NM-MT parameters. If centering is within parameters for a NM-MT 8 grade, they will usually eschew the OC qualifier with the Mint 9 grade for a straight NM-MT 8. I have also gotten straight 7s on otherwise mint cards with PD and then resubmitted them to get a 9PD.

PaulMaul · February 14, 2015 2:51AM

That's interesting Tim. So you're saying that even if I don't request no qualifiers, and my card is a structural 9 with 8 centering, they will give it a straight 8 rather than a 9OC?

grote15 · February 14, 2015 3:15AM

<< That's interesting Tim. So you're saying that even if I don't request no qualifiers, and my card is a structural 9 with 8 centering, they will give it a straight 8 rather than a 9OC? >>

That is my experience, yes. I have many PSA 8 cards that would be 9s or 10s, if not for centering that limits the card to a straight 8. I think it probably depends on the grader, but I don't find (in my experience, at least) that a card within PSA 8 centering requirements (but not PSA 9), will be given a 9 OC grade. I think most graders will assign a straight 8 instead of a 9OC in that case.

PaulMaul · February 14, 2015 3:23AM

If true, that's encouraging and good to know.

jmaciu · February 26, 2015 12:44PM

I finally got the card in hand, so here are the front and back scans. The one of the back is really fuzzy, but does show the centering.

This card is super sharp, and I honestly think that this card fits in the PSA 8 category when compared to the two 8's that were posted. I am really pleased with it, as it is truly mint in every way except for centering.

Stone193 · February 26, 2015 12:50PM

Superb card John.

I thinking the same thing - if you asked for no qualifier? My take is that it would come back an 8, IMO.

grote15 · February 26, 2015 1:17PM

The horizontal card does a great job masking the centering~looks terrific! (Tom Terrific, LOL!)

slum22 · February 26, 2015 1:25PM

John,

Congrats on a beautiful card. I am late to the party. Before I got to your post with the grade revealed, my guess was an 8. It is very sharp looking and while I am not familiar with PSA standards for this specific set, based on what I have seen for other PSA 8's I think the centering is within standards. I have certainly seen 8's with worse centering. Either way, beautiful card!

Guess the grade: 1974 OPC Seaver (Update: Front and Back Scans added)

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