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

[JMprime]

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!

[jb67]

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

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by jb67

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.

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.

[JMprime]

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!

[sbfinley]

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.

[Beatles Guy]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

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.

[clamendo]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dpeck100]

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.