Mantle topps

[Matthew H]

Side note: BGS used to be, by far, the toughest grading company on the planet. They created BVG and downgraded their grading scale so that they can compete with PSA/SGC. I had some postwar cards in the old BGS holders that would easily upgrade two full grades if they were crossed-over.

As a raw card collector, I hate having to crack a BVG slab... But the cards are well protected. Much better then the other TPGs. The holders also don't damage the card edges (what an amazing concept)

-Matt

[ullmandds]

WOW! That Mantle is a BLAZER!!!!!!!

[Zone91]

One more thing you most consider there are people including myself that DO NOT buy mid grades (ex: 3.5 or say 4.5)....I just can't do it it bugs me to much.

The other things is the seller will always say it looks more like a 4 and the buyer will always say the opposite it looks more like a 3.

[Bestdj777]

I would not have any hesitation with the fact it is in a BVG holder. I have purchased several mantles in BVG holders, including my rookie. My only advice would be to avoid going with a buy it now. Not sure the actual value of a 3.5 but know that every single one of the buy it nows for the lower grades are higher than they should be by a significant margin. Good luck, they are beautiful cards in person.

[Forever Young]

Originally Posted by Zone91

One more thing you most consider there are people including myself that DO NOT buy mid grades (ex: 3.5 or say 4.5)....I just can't do it it bugs me to much.

The other things is the seller will always say it looks more like a 4 and the buyer will always say the opposite it looks more like a 3.

What did you buy and how much was it? I assume your avatar is the card but it is too small. I like mid-grades of older cards as that is what I remember at all the shows(high end) before the slabbing started. All of a sudden, high grades are all over the place. You can tak that however you want to. I would rathe rhave a beautiful midgrade(centered/good color) than a high grade that I am unsure of trim job, soaked, ironed or touched up in any way.

[MattyC]

Originally Posted by Forever Young

I would rathe rhave a beautiful midgrade(centered/good color) than a high grade that I am unsure of trim job, soaked, ironed or touched up in any way.

I second that sentiment all the way. I love buying lower or mid grade examples of a card that usually commands silly money in high grade. I especially like my older cards to look the part; I'm naturally wary of any very old card that is in very high condition. With those mint and gem examples, in general I will always wonder if an expert doctor slipped one past the goalie. Also, I prefer a low grade card whose value is tied directly to its being low pop across all grades to a high grade card which costs the same, but the value is all in the grade/condition.

Regarding Zone's post, I wonder though if by "mid grades" he really meant "half" grades.

[cubsfan-budman]

Just my humble opinion, but to follow up on my original post:

When purchasing a high dollar card like that, the main concern should be authenticity, not the company that slabbed it. There was no reason to do a ton of research on the authenticity of the 52 Topps Schoendienst that I bought...so I just bought any slabbed one that was at the right price point for the condition I wanted.

Buying a Mantle is more and less complex, in my mind. More complex because you need to either have enough expertise to verify for yourself that it is real or leverage someone else's expertise that you trust to do the same. Less complex because you can buy any that you like regardless of TPA (or raw), once you're convinced it's real.

[Zone91]

Forever Young

I purchased a great looking 52 Topps Mantle in PSA 4 (looks like a 5 for sure) and paid 12 950$. Just got the card a few hours ago it looks truly awesome!!!

No my avatar is a PSA 9 not mine and never will be.

[Zone91]

MattyC

Yes I mean .5 grades. But that is me if you are OK with that by all means buy one that is a mid grade.

[cyseymour]

Generally speaking, 80-90% of cards won't get a half grade, it is reserved for cards that are very high end for the grade. I don't know whether that is the case for BVG, but I have read it is the case for PSA. So a half-grade bump really does add considerably to the price. Personally, I would have no hesitations about buying a card that has a half-grade.

Same for BVG, especially post-war. It is a nice holder and BVG is pretty popular post-war. How they sell compared to PSA price-wise, I don't know. It's your call on the card, but imo it is pretty decent looking for the grade. Wish he had a scan instead of photos, however.