Authnetic Grade - Why not a Number

[steve B]

I'd love it if they started showing why it's an "A". I can understand not wanting to put a grade on a card with a funny cut or one that doesn't measure up the the min size, but those can be factory and lumping them together with trimmed or otherwise altered cards just doesn't seem "right".

I'd take odd but original over trimmed, and have a handul of each.


Steve B

[wazoo]

I actually have a question about trimming (not trying to hijack the thread). I bought a t206 a while back and it was deemed trimmed. Now this card is in great shape, and measures larger than it actually should be. I know that t206s can be larger and still be trimmed, but I'm just not seeing it with this card. Corners are crisp, edges and sides are straight, etc. Now I'm just wondering that either PSA made a mistake or the person just did an amazing trim job?

[steve B]

Could be a really nice trim, or a mistake.

The edge quality is the thing to look for. The front should have a slight curve towards the side, and the back should have a tiny ridge towards the back.
A bit of very minor chipping on the back all along the edge is a good sign too.

Those are the basic traits of cardstock cut on a guillotine cutter especially for the 1910 era. Modern guillotine cutters cut a bit more crisply

The typical trimming will have very sharp edges front and back. Or a sharp edge front and a bunch of chipping on the back.
The usual tools for "good" trimming are either a sharp blade (Xacto, scalpel, single edge razor etc) Or a shear type paper cutter. Neither will make quite the same sort of cut the pro equipment will make.

Be sure to especially check the corners, as they can be rolled larger and cut back to match the sides.

Steve B

[Jay Wolt]

Originally Posted by steve B

I'd love it if they started showing why it's an "A".

I agree! TPG's occasionally list on the flip why its an authentic.
Be it trimmed, re-backed, color added or what have you.

SGC did list on the flip that this card was skinned, so why do it for some and not for others?

[Paul S]

So how would you grade this? I got it as a kid in the sixties pre TPGs. Obviously trimmed, I just wanted the card. Do I get an Authentic, Authentic (Trimmed), or either combination with a numerical grade? The card, otherwise, presents beautifully -- original gloss, clean back, etc.

[Taxman]

Authentic can not receive a numerical grade. Only means the card is authentic...Numerical grade means card "appears" to be unaltered.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by Taxman

Authentic can not receive a numerical grade. Only means the card is authentic...Numerical grade means card "appears" to be unaltered.

Kirk, I guess you answered my question. What a bummer!
Still, I think there should be something "in between" it all. After all, graders are subjective anyway.

[steve B]

That would be hard to do. People already either misunderstand or misrepresent a card graded authentic. You'll see them on ebay listed as "near mint" but slabbed as "a" and the description says it's been authenticated with no mention of the alterations that make it look NM.

Imagine the confusion if there were grades like T-5 or a grade with a trimmming qualifier?

Sadly I think cards with serious alterations will simply have to be "A" and stand on their own aesthetic merits -Or lack of.

The Robinson is pretty nice considering the lack of borders. Likely done in 57 so it matched the new cards. Says a lot about it's time and how we looked at cards then.

Steve B

[z28jd]

Who says an Authentic card can't be graded one? Obviously you've never heard of Mint grading

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T206...item35c1f588f3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T206...item35c1f59b9d