PSA Grading Standards
AaronfromKy
Posts: 114 ✭✭
I"ve only started collecting again seriously for about a year. So, I am not fully familiar with the differences with the 3 main grading companies and their standards. I thought PSA and BGS has basically the same standards and I know SGC is the benchmark for pre-WWII.
But why are PSA graded cards exponentially higher than BGS cards with the same grade? For example, I just bought a 1993 SP Foil Derek Jeter BGS 8 on Ebay for $150. The same card graded PSA 8 is consistently selling for over $300. Are PSA grading standards that much more strict so that the PSA 8 is a much better condition card than a BGS 8? I can't believe that people are willing to pay that much more just for the PSA registry.
Thanks for listening
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IG: goatcollectibles23
The biggest lesson I've learned in this hobby, and in life, is that if you have a strong conviction, you owe it to yourself to see it through. Don't sell yourself, or your investments, short. Unless the facts change. Then sell it all.
Hiya Aaron
Perhaps you're mixing metaphors here if ya know what I mean?
Prices on the registry are a reflection of one thing while "preferring" to buy PSA - as such - is another.
If you're buying "in person?" I recommend buying the card, not the holder. (harder sometimes to see in a scan)
If you see a knockout BGS 8 Jeter? Grab it - especially if cheaper.
I'll defer to the experts on all TPGs to make a definitive determination on which has more merit.
IMO, grading is so subjective, never do all 7s e.g. look the same.
Me? The card has to be centered - which many times will command a premium.
If ya want to talk registry? That's a horse of a different color and I've learned not to get involved - almost like politics if ya know what I mean?
I must say I don't understand the emphasis placed on centering by so many here, often to the exclusion of all else. Not the way I feel, but everyone is entitled to his priority. I'd much rather have a nicely cut 60/40 PSA 9 than a perfectly centered PSA 6.
Hiya Dave
I would like both sharp corners/edges and well centered for my 63F BB set.
Otherwise, sure - why not - a nice sharp 60/40 is fine.
I'm no expert on eBay or trends, but it seems that more and more people want well centered specimens.
On some cards, an OC 9 will command 10% of what the centered (qual.) card will bring.
In the end, it's just a preference no different than some like chocolate and some like vanilla ice cream I guess?
edit: but if I were an anal nut-bag on centering and you aren't? We can still be friends?
Hey, if I could have everything I'd like a perfectly centered PSA 10! But if I can't have perfection, I'd rather sacrifice a little on the centering with everything else perfect than have a dinged corner, say. And I feel a kinship for any anal nut bag, whatever his focus!
Thank so for the replies. I learn so much on this board. What I mean about the registry is that I've heard a lot of people prefer PSA over others grading companies because of the registry or something like that. Again I'm not that familiar with all the Benfits of PSA.
Thanks
It is a competition that PSA has for set collectors of PSA cards. Not just 1964 Topps type of sets, but Entire run of Nolan Ryan cards or Mantles or Top 50 HOFers and other unique lists. People chase to get to the top and maintain. You gain some incentives with free gradings for the set registry completions. *To note: I am novice to the registry as I don't use it personally. https://www.psacard.com/PSASetRegistry/benefits
https://www.psacard.com/PSASetRegistry/
AaronfromKy,
As they say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" by definition means: used to express the fact that not all people have the same opinions about what is attractive. One of the first things I learned about 5 years ago when I jumped back into collecting was "buy the card not the holder". Not sure who coined that phrase but it is a good one. Having said all of that buy what you like not what you think someone else will like.
Stone193 has some excellent advice that I agree with. As far as why a lot of people buy PSA it comes down mostly to:
1) ROI (return on investment). PSA cards resell for more than the other 2 major grading companies generally speaking.
2) Uniformity some collectors can't stand having different flips from the same company much less from a different company
3) Registry competition is a powerful drug and when you need a fix for your registry set sometimes common sense get lost.
I personally collect all three of the major grading companies but have mostly PSA. As Stone mentioned don't pass on a BVG 8 that is a knockout if you like the card buy it.
Aaron can you share us a little more about your collecting interests?
Well... to be perfectly it's not that I look at cards as an investment but I collect cards that I think will go up in value or at least will not go down in value if I have to sell because as I'm sure with most of us I don't have an unlimited budget. That's not to say I don't have the full fledged bug for the hobby and absolutely love it to the point my wife yells at me constantly for being on the computer. I'm sure that is a novice approach to the hobby but that is where I'm at right now. I see so many people "prospecting" by spending hundreds of dollars on a John Doe or paying $200 on a group break when you more than likely you end up with peanuts. I would rather spend a little more on a proven player. I apologize if I'm stepping on toes by saying that.
I like collecting all sports' hof'ers because I'm a sports nut first and foremost but with all that being said I'm a basketball guy at heart. I'm from Lexington, Ky so basketball is in our DNA. For example, I have 35 Lebron James RC's as of last count.
Probably to best understand my interests are to tell what I'm in the market for right now:
2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady PSA 9
1957 Topps Frank Robinson PSA 5
Any RC from 1983-84 or 1984-85 Star basketball
1962 Topps Lou Brock PSA 5
1983 Topps Mike Schmidt PSA 5
And of course any 2003-04 Lebron James I don't already own.
My recent buys are:
2014 National Treasures George Springer RC Auto
CARLOS CORREA 2013 ROOKIE LOT
Kris Bryant lot of four (4) 2014 Bowman Draft Chrome
2013 Bowman Chrome Nolan Arenado Xfractor
1960 Topps Carl Yastrzemski
1969 Topps Reggie Jackson
2003-04 Topps Contemperary Collection Lebron James BGS 9
Thanks for listening
I've been here a few weeks now Aaron and having a personal POV should never rustle any feathers IMO.
I've always held to simple advice on the hobby since it's so easy to go all nuts - aka OCD - and spend more than one should and the spouse is ready to hit ya with a 2X4!
There's a collector that some call a "Hybrid"
This is someone in the hobby that loves collecting and sports but has another eye for having their collectibles be an investment.
No problem with that.
Now, if one wants to call their collection a "subset" of their 401K e.g. Then, we have to talk about proper diversification.
IMO, except in rare instances, a collectible is a risk. Thus, the "subset" has risk but the potential for reward.
So, the "subset" should be an area where if there's total collapse, one won't crap out their 401 and wind up living at the off ramp of their local interstate.
My dad told me years ago, if ya can't afford to lose, ya can't afford to win.
We have quite a few "hybrids" in this forum IMO - and there's nothing wrong with that.
I would be lying if I didn't say that I would like to be able to get some money for collection if I needed the dough.
I apologize for the length.
Yeah. My Dad always told me, "Never bet with scared money". I guess I am in the "hybrid" class. As for Rule #1, I've been told that you can't collect everything- which is true. But I think where I'm at right now is to try to collect all my favorite cards growing up that I couldn't afford. At least in the short term. Then, my focus will be on finish collecting all the Lebron James Cards ever made.
Thanks for listening