SGC grading standards

[CW]

Yes. There was a shift to harder grades from PSA a while back and no matching shift from SGC. That is why their prices plummeted in comparison.

You don’t think there has now been a shift in SGC to tougher grades based on everything listed in one of their new holders?

I realize the question here wasn't addressed to me, but I would like to comment and give my educated opinion on these statements.

I disagree that there was no "matching shift" by SGC in their grading standards. While any collector's observations will be a small sample compared to all the cards out there, I noticed SGC toughening up on grading at least a couple years before these new holders were introduced. This would be especially pertaining to their grading on corners.

Many years ago you would find SGC 5s with corners that were too rounded for an "EX" graded card. SGC became tougher graders on these cards, knocking them down to VG-EX and lower starting a few years ago. At least this was my perception.

Also, I don't believe SGC's prices ever "plummeted" in comparison to PSA. Sure, SGC always lagged behind in pricing with cards of the same grade compared to PSA, but on the cards I follow (prewar) I have not witnessed any plummeting prices on SGC graded cards compared to PSA.

To answer your final question, yes, I have seen a shift to harder grading by SGC but it has been quite awhile before the change to the new holders.

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[Leon]

I feel SGC standards have stayed around the same but I agree that the grading of corners has tightened up nicely (a bit stricter). SGC is still my choice of graders, even before they advertised. That said, I don't always agree with them and we can agree to disagree on some things. But they and BVG are my graders of choice. I don't generally have high grade material but if I did I would have to look at PSA; for their registry.

[ricktmd]

I collect mostly PSA 5 cards. Over the last 4 years I put together a T206 HOF set. My most obvious point which reflects in previous posts is the corners. SGC consistently graded T206's with touched (slightly rounded ) corners a 60/5. PSA is stricter with that as ones with rounded corners end up 4's possibly 4.5's . I bought many SGC 60's with slightly rounded corners that didn't cross. My guess and its just a guess is that most PSA 5's would cross to SGC 60's and only maybe half of the SGC 60's become PSA 5's. I am glad to hear that SGC is being tougher on corners as it makes sense. However they seem to be holding the course on lightly collected S-74 silks . The hand out 40's to near perfect silks with the factory crease and 60's to horribly frayed silks where the factory or tobacco company is only partially legible. On Leon's point BVG has become better. They do a nice job with the S-74 silks apparently understanding the issue better than SGC

On another note the recent trend of centered nicer looking cards holding as much weight as their grades may be inspiring people to sell there off centered , or lesser looking higher grade cards as a result

[Republicaninmass]

So there has not been any change at SGC regarding centering?

They used to grade the card, independent of centering, not anymore. A psa 7 oc/mc would be an sgc 6 at worst. Now they told me my psa 7 mc would get an sgc 2!

Does SGC do a quicker turn than PSA? My last submission to PSA took several months to receive.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by sfh24

Does SGC do a quicker turn than PSA? My last submission to PSA took several months to receive.

I believe all graders are pretty backed up now.

[luciobar1980]

I definitely think SGC upped their standards with the introduction of their new labels. I mean it makes sense. They wanted to rebrand and up the perceived value.

[RedsFan1941]

Originally Posted by sfh24

Does SGC do a quicker turn than PSA? My last submission to PSA took several months to receive.

yes