MBA Opinions - Mike Baker Authentic

[gunboat82]

I have a slab from MBA. The grading seems fair, given the edge wear. I've seen PSA 3s that look similar, but I've also seen PSA 5s that look worse.

[Beercan collector]

Originally Posted by gunboat82

I have a slab from MBA. The grading seems fair, given the edge wear. I've seen PSA 3s that look similar, but I've also seen PSA 5s that look worse.

That’s accurate grading - You cannot even guess what SGC or PSA will grade anything nowadays

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by gunboat82

I have a slab from MBA. The grading seems fair, given the edge wear. I've seen PSA 3s that look similar, but I've also seen PSA 5s that look worse.

That's an accurate grade. PSA will call that a 2 most of the time today though. They've completely forgotten how to grade vintage cards. SGC will usually call that a 3 now, though they're getting less consistent now as well.

The card has been cleaned though, FYI. I've seen a lot of cleaned cards in MBA slabs recently for some reason.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Snowman

The card has been cleaned though, FYI. I've seen a lot of cleaned cards in MBA slabs recently for some reason.

I can think of one...

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

I can think of one...

The more things change....

[Brian]

Originally Posted by Snowman

That's an accurate grade. PSA will call that a 2 most of the time today though. They've completely forgotten how to grade vintage cards. SGC will usually call that a 3 now, though they're getting less consistent now as well.

The card has been cleaned though, FYI. I've seen a lot of cleaned cards in MBA slabs recently for some reason.

Travis, please explain the part about the card being cleaned. I have bid on MBA cards (without winning them) and would like to have a full story if possible. I am sure others may be interested, too.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Brian

Travis, please explain the part about the card being cleaned. I have bid on MBA cards (without winning them) and would like to have a full story if possible. I am sure others may be interested, too.

Most vintage cards have been cleaned. Seriously if you are buying a card in a slab there is very little chance it hasn't been cleaned in some way.

[tjisonline]

Originally Posted by Brian

Travis, please explain the part about the card being cleaned. I have bid on MBA cards (without winning them) and would like to have a full story if possible. I am sure others may be interested, too.

all you need to do is watch a few of Kurt's videos (cleaning vintage cards) to see what to look for. one obvious tell is bright white vintage cards w/ rounded corners. all vintage paper stock ages and tones over time

[Johnny630]

I have a question. Has anyone tried to submit to MBA grading crossing over your cards in GAI holders? I know he was head grader there and there was a lot of cards that would not grade with other grading companies that he slabbed with number grades in GAI holders.

[Fred]

Johnny,

I was wondering the same thing. When GAI started, I thought they were good, then after time it just got horrible. Obviously trimmed cards were slabbed with numerical grades. I wondered WTF happened.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Fred

Johnny,

I was wondering the same thing. When GAI started, I thought they were good, then after time it just got horrible. Obviously trimmed cards were slabbed with numerical grades. I wondered WTF happened.

It got way worse when he was the head grader when they changed the name to Global Authority. Many people who sent cards in never got them back. I was one of the lucky ones that after sending several emails got my cards back ungraded but still got charged for grading. At least I got my cards back. That is when I learned the BBB was completely worthless and actually can't do anything to anybody.

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Fred

Johnny,

I was wondering the same thing. When GAI started, I thought they were good, then after time it just got horrible. Obviously trimmed cards were slabbed with numerical grades. I wondered WTF happened.

Exactly!!! The people that have been around a while know the past… I would be interested to know if he would put those cards in his new holder.

[parkplace33]

Originally Posted by Fred

Johnny,

I was wondering the same thing. When GAI started, I thought they were good, then after time it just got horrible. Obviously trimmed cards were slabbed with numerical grades. I wondered WTF happened.

I wasn’t aware of Mikes affliction with GAI. I have heard bad things about GAI slabbed cards. Are any GAI cards good?

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by gunboat82

I have a slab from MBA. The grading seems fair, given the edge wear. I've seen PSA 3s that look similar, but I've also seen PSA 5s that look worse.

So the card is a 3.5 but the silver bar means it’s a high grade 3.5? Like a 3.7? What if it had a gold bar? Then a 3.85? Why not just grade it 3.7 or 3.85 as accuracy would presumably be important to a grader? And does the submitter need to pay two fees, one for the grade and the second for that silver bar? Does a bronze bar mean 3.6?