TPG Grading Scale
 

I know, I know: Buy the card, not the holder. But ...

As I was cracking about 20 T206s from PSA/SGC 1/10 cases yesterday, I was reminded how annoying it is that the cards vary so much in condition but all receive the same grade. I realize that part of the problem is that the 1/2 grades weren't always around but even in newer graded cards, I often see 1s/10s that are wildly different.

I don't have a problem if a grader necessarily considers a card with several creases to be in Poor condition. The problem is that absolute beaters almost always get that grade as well unless they're trimmed/altered because there's nowhere else to go in terms of it being at the bottom of the barrel.

It seems like the TPGs should make more use of the 1/2 grades to differentiate a little bit and save 1s/10s for really abused cards. I know, I'm talking about something relatively meaningless, but seeing all those 1s/10s last night that varied in condition so much was pretty annoying (part of the reason I broke them out) :)

When everything from a 6 up has the word mint in the description it doesn't leave much else to choose from. Just remember always buy the holder because the card itself is secondary. If you don't believe me just ask any of the registry guys.