Other then a Loupe + strong light, what do you guys use to examine cards before submitting them?

ThoseBackPages · February 3, 2011 11:55AM

looking for suggestions.

i have a magnifying glass, a loupe and a strong light source. i have seen what jewelers use, hard to describe it, looks like a headband that has like a super magnifying glass attached to it that swivels up and down. that actually looks like it would be an awesome thing to use. does anyone have any information on them? are they costly? what are they called? lol

any other tips?

Stone193 · February 3, 2011 12:02PM

If ya collect issues prone to being "recolored" - I recommend a black light - inexpensive and effective.

saucywombat · February 3, 2011 12:06PM

stereoscope

sbfinley · February 3, 2011 3:46PM

If you collect pre-war, especially commonly reprinted pre-war. I strongly recommend getting a black light.

Zixx · February 3, 2011 4:45PM

If modern cards, start looking at your card with the thought of finding out why it wouldn't grade a 10. If you can't find anything, then submit it.

CDsNuts · February 3, 2011 11:01PM

You're going to need a telespectrograph and a microphotometer.

itzagoner · February 3, 2011 11:18PM

i keep other examples of cards around to use for comparison. it has helped immensely.

jeffcbay · February 3, 2011 11:18PM

I use a magnifying lamp along with a second light source. Sometimes I like to scan the card in high-res and look at it on the monitor. That really helps me check for tilt.

WinPitcher · February 3, 2011 11:29PM

2 Eyes.

I've never used anything but.

Joe came on here and said the graders mainly just use them too.

It's really not rocket science, this grading of baseball cards.

Coins, are another matter.

Steve

bking · February 3, 2011 11:35PM

I've found the the naked eye is usually good enough for corners, but every time I don't use a super-bright light to check for wrinkles, I get burned.

I used a blacklight, as suggested here, to check some of the 1971's I had bought years ago, but the depression still hasn't faded so I don't recommend it for the faint of heart.

leathtech · February 4, 2011 1:31AM

Blindfold... seriously I just eyeball them - I'd suggest just subbing cards and writing down what you think each will grade - try and learn from your mistakes.

Mickey71 · February 4, 2011 3:38AM

2 eyes and a very good light source. Keep it simple....look at the cards in a normal evvironment at your desk and then put them under a lamp to see it one last time. The strong light is good to spot wrinkles.

frankhardy · February 4, 2011 10:12AM

I usually just ask my friend (pictured below) to look them over and then I send them to Pro. Works every time.

Other then a Loupe + strong light, what do you guys use to examine cards before submitting them?

Comments