When it comes to card condition, what matters most to you?

11235813 · July 24, 2008 12:11PM

Because I collect cards primarily for their visual appeal, centering is what matters most to me. I will always take a well-centered card with a imperfect corners over an off-center card with perfect corners.

ArchStanton · July 24, 2008 12:13PM

LR centering is a lot more important to me than TB centering.

perkdog · July 24, 2008 12:36PM

I prefer well centered 7's for my vintage collection, I dont mind a soft corner or two but if there is a tilt or OC it does not appeal to me.

itzagoner · July 24, 2008 12:46PM

glossy, crispy and arced like the hindquarters of fashion model.

summerof68 · July 24, 2008 12:49PM

Centering isn't everything--its the only thing....

BunchOBull · July 24, 2008 1:08PM

If it's modern, everything has to be great. Vintage, centering alone matters, as long as the other flaws don't take away from the visual appeal of the image.

Elemenopeo · July 24, 2008 1:22PM

A nice rack, really. Anything else is just gravy.

digicat · July 24, 2008 1:26PM

For vintage, sharp corners trumps centering for me, as long as it's not miscut.

I'd take a 60/40 card with 4 perfect corners over a 50/50 card with a dinged corner.

storm888 · July 24, 2008 1:26PM

Centering

Corners

Color

Surface

Focus

metalmike · July 24, 2008 1:39PM

Price and authenticity. Some of my cards PSA will not grade and most of the others would be Psa 1's or 2's anyway.

Leiascards · July 24, 2008 1:40PM

Centering since it affects eye appeal the most.

hofautos · July 24, 2008 2:01PM

99% of the time centering...the only card I have made the exception on is my jackie rookie. I have had much better centered ones, but it is TRULY hard to find one thats clean as this one.

nearmint · July 24, 2008 2:54PM

<< <i>99% of the time centering...the only card I have made the exception on is my jackie rookie. I have had much better centered ones, but it is TRULY hard to find one thats clean as this one. >>

That's a great looking 4! With the yellow background, the centering doesn't detract much at all from the eye appeal.

I generally care most about centering, too, but it depends on the card. hofautos's Robinson cards are a good example of a card being much nicer than a better-centered card in the same grade.

Of the major faults, I think a light crease is actually the least detracting. Ironically that's the one PSA hammers the hardest.

jswieton · July 24, 2008 3:50PM

The centering is probebly the most important because that is what PSA and beckett has ingained in our minds. However, corners are still important to me because that is how I used to grade cards as a kid.

cardbender · July 24, 2008 4:53PM

Corners

Centering l-r being the most important

Focus

color

gloss

print defects

Estil · July 24, 2008 8:01PM

Corners (as sharp and lack of wear as possible), and free of any gum/wax stains is first and foremost, and with reasonable centering on both sides (definetly no miscuts or hairline borders). For 1974-onward I try to get the raw cards as close to consistently NRMT/MT as I can. When I start doing 1960s sets however I'll settle for EXMT raw and PSA 6 HOFers/checklists to keep them affordable.

I do however, insist on PSA 7's for all cards from 1973-77 that are worth $8 or more in the Beckett Almanac. For 1970-72 (I'll start them in full earnest in early September) I want all HOFers and checklists in PSA 7. Then when I'm ready for 1960s sets, I'll go with PSA 6 HOFers/checklists.

Estil · July 24, 2008 8:02PM

<< <i>99% of the time centering...the only card I have made the exception on is my jackie rookie. I have had much better centered ones, but it is TRULY hard to find one thats clean as this one.

>>

How is this possible? The right Jackie looks like only a 2 (AT BEST). OTOH, the left one could've gotten a 5 on a good day.

hofautos · July 24, 2008 9:38PM

<< <i>

<< <i>99% of the time centering...the only card I have made the exception on is my jackie rookie. I have had much better centered ones, but it is TRULY hard to find one thats clean as this one.

>>

How is this possible? The right Jackie looks like only a 2 (AT BEST). OTOH, the left one could've gotten a 5 on a good day. >>

Most of Jackies are stained or discolored or ink runs...the jackie on the right is a VERY typical 4. There is a slight surface wrinkle on mine, which is why the 4, otherwise, I am sure it would be at least a 5.

fiveniner · July 24, 2008 9:44PM

I am mostly into 50/60s if they look as good as this example I am satisfied.

WinPitcher · July 25, 2008 12:18AM

Besides centering, registration is important to me.

A card severely OF can be worse the OC.

Generally though, centering has always been my top priority.

Steve

Goodsport40 · July 25, 2008 12:31AM

Centering is the key for me. However, I pass on many cards that are centered but have fisheyes or other print defects.

Robert

uyu906 · July 25, 2008 12:37AM

This brings up an interesting question. What year (or time period) did centering of cards become more important to most all collectors than sharp corners? I know when I was going to card shows in the late 1970's, collectors were more interested in sharp corners than in perfect centering. In fact, most people I remember only cared about centering if it was miscut - 80/20 borders seemed not to be an issue back then.

tombo · July 25, 2008 12:56AM

collectors were more interested in sharp corners than in perfect centering. In fact, most people I remember only cared about centering if it was miscut - 80/20 borders seemed not to be an issue back then.

Very true. I look at some of the cards I bought 20 - 30 years ago, thinking they were mint, and the centering would fall within the PSA 6 to 7 guidelines. My guess is that with the importance placed on centering by the grading companies (PSA & SGC), back in the early 90's, the market has been manipulated to value centering more than other criteria.

fattymacs · July 25, 2008 1:00AM

I prefer well centered cards, but if it's sharp otherwise I'll buy off-center (top to bottom, dosen't bother me as much as L to R).

This is about the off-center limit for me:

Morgoth · July 25, 2008 1:14AM

Color, Gloss and Registration are as important as centering is to me. Corner wear IMO is what will really drive down grades as it is very obvious so as long as I am in the 6-8 range I know the corners will be nice

TJMAC · July 25, 2008 1:24AM

There should be some border on all sides, relatively nice corners, but no creases. Small wrinkles are okay, but creases (especially on the front) really bother me. That is why I buy primarliy PSA 5, 6 & 7 for vintage. I like cards that present well, but am probably not as fussy as most. Top/Bottom centering does not bother me as much as left/right. That being said, I have cards with centering all over the place. Sometimes, you can get them for a great price and they fit nicely into my budget.

For newer cards, I expect them to be around NRMT-MT.

When it comes to card condition, what matters most to you?

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