How Tamper Proof are the BVG / PSA / SGC cases?
 

Hello All,
I am new to this forum. I have started set building some of the 1950's sets and heard this was a great forum, glad to be a part of it.

I recently purchased a 1953 Bowman Card graded by BVG. When I received it, I noticed that there were some slight stress cracks (that is probably the best description) in the plastic on the right hand edge. A few up by the tag, and a few about midway down on that right edge. The two pieces are seated correctly, I compared it to a few BGS cases I had.

I also looked at the history of this particular card on VintageCard, and as far as I can tell, the same card that was sold to me, is in earlier pictures as well.

Sorry to be longwinded. My question is, can a BVG (Or PSA and SGC for that matter) case be opened and cards switched out without breaking the plastic? Is this something commonplace to worry about?

I just wanted to know some of the experienced members opinions. Thanks! Have a great weekend!

Welcome to the boards. To help answer your question I can give you my take. I have never heard of a BVG holder being tampered with as far as switching a card out. I have seen the older PSA holders that have been tampered with. The new PSA holder is tamper proof to the best of my knowledge. As far as the SGC holder I am not sure about. That is my 2 cents. I am sure others will have input on this subject.

Here is a recent thread on a Mantle card that might interest you. http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=214067

I agree with this. Just to add a couple things, yes, SGC cases can be tampered with too. However, from my experience, whether it be PSA or SGC, you can usually tell a tampered case by frosting around the edges where it was glued back together.

Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate it! Here is the same picture I sent a buddy who has been collecting vintage for a long time just to show him the card. First thing he said was "did you check out that case for tampering on the right hand side." I shared the picture in the event anyone was interested in terms of the particular BVG case I spoke of. Have a great weekend!

If a BGS/BVG case has been tampered with there will be chunks missing from it. I can open a PSA or SGC slab in about 10 seconds. I need goggles for beckett, seriously you will take shards to the eye trying to open those bricks.

Agreed, you have to really hammer a BVG case to get it to open. I saw a video once where someone boiled a BVG case and it came out perfectly fine, no moisture got in at all.

This could be a totally innocent question, but should we really be telling someone brand new to the board which graded cases are best to crack open?

Ok great! That makes me feel a lot better. I was nervous when I received the card when I saw the marks on the case as I have always wanted this card and was excited to be able to buy it. I appreciate everyone replying to the thread!

How Tamper Proof are the BVG / PSA / SGC cases?
 

I believe you issue is that the BVG cases are susceptible to cracking. They are too thick. I recently bought a completely graded set from someone (150+) cards and 4 had stress cracks as if they were tampered with but I know the guy and he sent them to me in the exact packaging that they sent it to him.
A BVG, GAI, and new PSA should be completely tamper proof. Overall, the SGC card will be more accurately and consistently graded.
So, most crack outs are probably PSA.


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Beckett cases are extremely easy to crack but you will do permanent damage to the holder.

GAI are the toughest and the new PSA holder is right there with them.

I would generally agree but don't really think any of this is a huge secret or anything that hasn't been discussed before.

The best cases by far are the BGS/BVG Cases;

PSA has made very notable improvements in recent years to their cases

I don't know enough about the SGC cases to talk about them

Rich

Great feedback, thank you to everyone that took the time to reply. I was really happy to see the comment about BVG cases being prone to stress cracking because of their thickness. I wasn't too concerned about the card being tampered with, it looks good to me. I just didn't know if that type of thing was possible and was concerned due to the stress marks. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

The older PSA cases are fairly easy to open with a can opener and a flathead screwdriver, but the hermetic seal would usually give it away, I think. The plastic splinters and turns white. I would think that any case that is opened like this and then "tampered" with would obviously look like it had been broken if someone tries to put it back together.

Thought I would weigh in and retell this story about the durability of Beckett cases.

About 4 years ago my wife had purchased a 52 Bowman Campanella for me for Christmas. When she gets a card for me she always tries to buy a graded one for the peace of mind that she isn't getting an altered or fake card. Anyway, she was tracking the shipping of the card on line a saw that it had been marked "delivered". She looked around and couldn't find the package with the other mail and packages that had been placed on our front porch. She was about to call the post office to see what was going on when my daughter saw our family dog in the back yard with something in his mouth.

Long story short, Rascal the dog is a lover of vintage cards apparently and was trying to chew through. He had already shredded the envelope and cardboard and was trying to get through the thick Beckett case before his attempt was thwarted by my wife and daughter.

As you can see from the picture the case held strong and the card wasn't in the least bit damaged. Normally I break out all graded cards because I prefer them raw for display but this story is so great it is still encased.

Drew

As you can see from the picture the case held strong and the card wasn't in the least bit damaged. Normally I break out all graded cards because I prefer them raw for display but this story is so great it is still encased.

Drew[/QUOTE]


That's a good looking Campy, well-centered and shows nicely for the grade!

LOL, that is an awesome story. Roy Campanella - HOF thwarter of curveballs in the dirt, foul tips into the fingers - and even the occasional canine molar!