How do you define low-mid-high grade for pre-war cards?

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Posted By: Don

For pre-1920, I've always considered VG to EX (3-5) mid grade and below that low, above that high.

I would say for the rest of pre-war (1920-1941) it would be (4-6) as mid grade.

Is that pretty much how others define it or am I off base?

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Posted By: peter ullman

your definition works for me.

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Posted By: barrysloate

I would say a 5 is pretty high grade for most caramel cards. Try to find an E103 or E107 in a 5- it won't be easy.

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Posted By: Dave F

To me it really depends on the issue...there are many sets where if you can find a SGC 40 or PSA 3 you've really got a fairly high grade card...then many others you need a PSA 8 or 9....


Most of the really tough sets that are hard to come by in good condition I see it more like-

SGC 40 (hi-mid grade to high grade for some)
SGC 20-30 (mid-grade)
SGC 10 (low-grade)

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Posted By: Tony Andrea

It really depends on the set since many are more condition sensitive than others. As Barry stated though locating E103's and E107's even vg condition is a real chore and should be considered better than just middle of the road when found in that condition. Overall though I personally feel most of your caramel cards that grade vg to vg/ex are mid grade cards, give or take a few sets as mentioned above. Most caramel cards found in ex condition should be considered high grade in my opinion.

Tony A.

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Posted By: Don

Good points on caramel cards. I was mainly thinking of tobacco cards when I made the post.

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Posted By: JimB

I agree with what others have said. It varies quite a bit from set to set. As Barry said, ex is high grade for most every E set, though even among them, some are tougher than others. Among T206s, although ex/mt is nothing to sneeze at, they do get particularly tough until it gets to really high grade, like nm/mt and above.
jimB

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Posted By: Anonymous

Now that caramel cards (at least E90-1s, judging from recent posts) fit into the T206 holders maybe we'll start seeing more high grade ones.

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Posted By: Tony Andrea

Hi Don,
In that case.
2-3 - low grade
4-5 - mid grade
6-7 - high grade
Again, give or take a few of the tougher "T" sets that should be looked upon differently.

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Posted By: Bob

I agree with Davewhen it comes to popular but tough caramel card sets like the E94, E97 and E98:
SGC 40-60 (hi-mid grade to high grade for some)
SGC 20-30 (mid-grade)
SGC 10 (low-grade)

Finding E94s in SGC 60 is a chore.

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Posted By: Mark L

"I would say for the rest of pre-war (1920-1941) it would be (4-6) as mid grade."

If you look at E220's, E120's, and E121's, I'd say that it is very hard to find anything above a 6 or a 7. Often, a 4 is the mid-grade.

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Posted By: Brandon Brown

What would you guys feel is the Low-mid-high breakdown on graded T205s with their condition sensitive borders?



Brandon


note- edited misspellings

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Posted By: Michael

Brandon-
For t205s, I have always considered it to break down like this in PSA grades (would be the same in SGC numbering)

PSA 7+- uber high grade
PSA 5-6- High grade
PSA 3-4- Mid Grade
PSA 1-2- Low Grade

There seems to be a lot more folks who are grading t205s in the PSA 1-2 area. To me it just isn't worth the grading fee.

Michael

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Posted By: bruce Dorskind

We believe that grade definitions vary from set to set

Our stated goal is to build the world's finest type collection
of pre 1960 type cards.

Generally we collect only ultra high grade examples

In most gum and tobacco sets that equates to a Grade 8 or 9

However in a number of E sets and the more obscure T, N and D sets
the highest obtainable grade may be as low as a 5

Whilst others may disagree- we believe that condition is extremely
important. On the other hand we are indifferent as to whom the player
representative is for a particular set. Accordingly, we tend not to focus
on Hall of Famers.

In more than 50 pre-war sets we have an example of the highest graded card.

Good luck with your collecting efforts

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List