Best card grades for the money

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

This is a fun topic, and I was actually thinking about it yesterday and found this video. Maybe some of you will like it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt4h7DETVTQ

[bk400]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

This is a fun topic, and I was actually thinking about it yesterday and found this video. Maybe some of you will like it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt4h7DETVTQ

Very informative video -- thanks for sharing. Sounds like there's a lot of value to be found in the lower grades with vintage cards. Makes the hunt more fun than for the modern cards.

[UKCardGuy]

Personally VGEX 4 and EXMT 6 are where I find the sweet spot for quality vs price for post-war vintage.

I don't mind a card that's a little bit OC but I want sharp corners and no creases. I don't tend to get that with VG 3

[jethrod3]

I bought a 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson at the National in a PSA 3.5 holder. It had a couple of corners with a little wear, but was probably docked the most for a corner front surface crease visible only under high intensity light. So it presents fabulously. I'll take those kinds of surface creases all day as 3.5's.

[rugbymarine]

I love discussions like this. As some have alluded to, the lower you go on the technical grading scale, the more variability you get within a grade. In the low-to-mid grades, it's always interesting to see what collectors prioritize. Corners, centering, edges, back centering, color, registration, lack of staining, no creases, lack of print defects, etc. For most cards lower than a 5, or maybe a 6, something has to give and the card can only have some of those qualities (kind of obvious I guess....since if it had them all, it would be a higher grade).

For me personally, I've settled in to a sweet spot of mid grade examples for my vintage HOF. There are so many beautiful 4s, 5s, and 6s. And as other have mentioned, there are 5s that look better than 6s, and 6s that look like they could've been 8s if they were graded 20 years ago.

[cgjackson222]

Great eye, Ian! Those are some beautiful cards! The centering is outstanding, and the borders are snow white. Can't believe some of those didn't grade higher, especially the '56 and '60 Mays cards.

[jethrod3]

Originally Posted by rugbymarine

For me personally, I've settled in to a sweet spot of mid grade examples for my vintage HOF. There are so many beautiful 4s, 5s, and 6s. And as other have mentioned, there are 5s that look better than 6s, and 6s that look like they could've been 8s if they were graded 20 years ago.]

The '56 Aaron and '60 Mays look fabulous for those grades, IMO!!

[rugbymarine]

The 56 Mays has a good bit of corner wear. a 5 feels right there.

I've never sent any card to a TPG for review, but of all my cards I keep considering sending that 60 Mays in for a 2nd look. It looks as good in hand, and I think it should be a 7 all day. These grades are subjective opinions, and I remind myself that I bought the card...not the holder.

Thank you the kind words!

[jb67]

[QUOTE=rugbymarine;2362240]I love discussions like this. As some have alluded to, the lower you go on the technical grading scale, the more variability you get within a grade. In the low-to-mid grades, it's always interesting to see what collectors prioritize. Corners, centering, edges, back centering, color, registration, lack of staining, no creases, lack of print defects, etc. For most cards lower than a 5, or maybe a 6, something has to give and the card can only have some of those qualities (kind of obvious I guess....since if it had them all, it would be a higher grade).

For me personally, I've settled in to a sweet spot of mid grade examples for my vintage HOF. There are so many beautiful 4s, 5s, and 6s. And as other have mentioned, there are 5s that look better than 6s, and 6s that look like they could've been 8s if they were graded 20 years ago.

Ian,

The centering certainly jumps out to me but I was also impressed with the color/registration. When you get both of those qualities in a mid-grade grade that is just outstanding. Great eye Ian.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I like the 9s in 4 holders because kids who see nothing but ultramodern chrome have no idea how to grade.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by UKCardGuy

Personally VGEX 4 and EXMT 6 are where I find the sweet spot for quality vs price for post-war vintage.

I don't mind a card that's a little bit OC but I want sharp corners and no creases. I don't tend to get that with VG 3

Makes sense. 4 is the old "tweener" grade between VG and EX, and 6 is the same for what used to be EX and NM. Lots of really nice looking cards can be found in those slabs.

Part of the problem with TPG's is pegging tweener grades like that to a number. That doesn't make a lot of sense if you look at how grading worked in say, 1985. Now we have broken the numbers down into half grades as well. 4.5, VG-EX+. Wouldn't VG to Excellent (plus) just be Excellent? Don't get me wrong, I get it - it's how things have evolved.