In What World Is This Premium a PSA 1?
 

This item appears as lot #700 in the recently opened Goldin Auction. I am not aware that there was ever a version of the M114 series which was intended to be hand cut and measures smaller all the way around than the standard M114 premiums. Is it just me or is this not a trimmed M114 that either should have never been holdered at all (MIN SIZE REQ) or best case scenario, Authentic-Altered or SGC’s Authentic-Evidence of Trimming. Amazing coming from Goldin that it winds up in a numerical grade holder. If I submitted that, it sure ain’t getting a number grade. Isn’t there some sort of connection between Goldin and PSA if I remember correctly?

Most m114s that have been give a number by our favorite opinion seller are trimmed, although the term "hand cut" is used on the slabs instead.

Less knowledgeable collectors will interpret the use of that term as a tacit approval of trimming.

Not really a surprise really, since they have been in favor of trimming since day one.

I believe the terminology used should be "Hand Trimmed"

If I’m not mistaken, the largest inner slab PSA currently has is 8.5x11 and M114’s are 9x12 so by extension shouldn’t it be “all” not “most”?

That is a common misconception.

While most m114s are 9 1/2 X 12, there were a number of them that are smaller.

I am aware of 31 that are 8 1/2 X 11 in the 1950s. Those include what I call a type 3 Mantle, and I believe there might be others. There are also some earlier ones (mostly teams) that are varying sizes.

Good info, Doug, thanks. I assume the Ted Williams pictured is not one of these?

Never get cheated.

Well, since PSA rules the hobby, all cards should fit in their holders. Thus it’s proper to hand cut an item to fit theirs. So it’s all good!

That Ted Williams is (obviously to my eyes) heavily trimmed.

There are no m114s (or m113s) that had borders that thin when issued.

Here is the 8 1/2 X 11 m114 version of Ted (type 3), and examples of both the full sized type 1 and type 2 with normal borders :

Modern grading has gone bonkers. When I was a kid a card would literally need to be missing a chunk to be considered poor.

Well, this one is missing at least 4 chunks. One chunk from each edge, sliced right down the edge.

I’m also guessing the back was a factor.

Calling it "hand cut" allows them to avoid calling it trimmed.

"Trimmed" would mean missing chunks.

"Hand cut" does not.

Semantics, I guess. Although for a card that was never intended to be hand cut, calling it hand cut seems inappropriate. If this were a post cereal or bazooka or jello issue, then that would be different.

Yep, "seems inappropriate" works, although "is completely wrong" would be a better wording.

But, since everybody's favorite opinion seller does it that way it must be right.

PSA is quickly losing any credibility it once may have had.

Not surprised…once they started grading the small stamp portions from 1940-1941 Wheaties panels. WTF?