53 Topps Mantle SGC 88 on Goodwin

[oldphil]

Recently, for reasons which I will not go into, I carefully broke out 5 T205s from their PSA holders. Three of the 5 were HOFers, one was a common, and one was a scarce common. Four of the 5 were graded PSA 7, and one was a PSA 8. None of the 5 cards came back with their prior grades. The PSA 8 came back with "evidence of trimming", as did one of the PSA 7's. Two of the PSA 7's came back as PSA 6, and one of the PSA 7's came back as a PSA 5.5. I really don't care if a TPG is viewed as tough or easy, but that they are consistent. If you don't have consistency, what do you have? I feel that in this instance the TPG failed miserably. I am not posting this to evoke any sympathy because that does no one any good. Happy New Year everyone!

[HRBAKER]

Send 'em back, you never know what you'll get.
Welcome to the game.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by oldphil

Recently, for reasons which I will not go into, I carefully broke out 5 T205s from their PSA holders. Three of the 5 were HOFers, one was a common, and one was a scarce common. Four of the 5 were graded PSA 7, and one was a PSA 8. None of the 5 cards came back with their prior grades. The PSA 8 came back with "evidence of trimming", as did one of the PSA 7's. Two of the PSA 7's came back as PSA 6, and one of the PSA 7's came back as a PSA 5.5. I really don't care if a TPG is viewed as tough or easy, but that they are consistent. If you don't have consistency, what do you have? I feel that in this instance the TPG failed miserably. I am not posting this to evoke any sympathy because that does no one any good. Happy New Year everyone!

It is general consensus they are much tougher these days. Not surprised at all on the 8 just as a general matter, as I am pretty skeptical of any prewar card in that high a holder, much less a T205. Plus, even if it is legit, in the current environment they seem afraid to grade stuff, or so I have heard from a few people.

[HRBAKER]

So, even if according to their standards it was legit "8" and the experts could detect no funny business to disqualify it - they are "afraid" to give it the grade?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

So, even if according to their standards it was legit "8" and the experts could detect no funny business to disqualify it - they are "afraid" to give it the grade?

I have heard that from several people, yes.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I have heard that from several people, yes.

So that's the level of confidence they have in their ability to detect alterations?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

So that's the level of confidence they have in their ability to detect alterations?

I can only say what I have heard. I am not vouching for it as fact or purporting to analyze it.

Then again, purely as a speculative exercise, given what marquee cards in high grades seem to be selling for, the downside risk of having to make good on a guaranty is astronomical compared to the grading fee. So it would be understandable not to take a lot of chances if there was any uncertainty.

[HRBAKER]

Understood, that's very interesting stuff.

Kind of like having an automobile that is so expensive that no one will work on it?

What are we paying for then if we submit a legitimate high grade marquee card as a speculative exercise?