Question for PSA registry guys -- higher grade with Qual v. lower grade no qual

[Savemethegum]

Hey guys -- quick question.

As a rule, I know most collectors with a PSA PC prefer no qualifier. But let me explain my situation and see what people think. I asked the same question on the Facebook PSA group, and it's pretty much exactly split down the middle. Please read and then vote. Thanks!

I just bought a big vintage PC card. It's graded SGC 35 (2.5) and I'm going to send in for crossover to PSA. Looking at the front, it looks like it could get a PSA 4 grade, but the back has a pretty glaring printing mistake. The printed color and the stats on the back are badly mis-aligned. My guess from looking at it (don't have it in hand yet) is it would likely stay a 2.5 PSA, put could possibly be a PSA 4 with a PD qualifier. Now, all else being equal, I'd probably go straight 2.5.

But here's where it gets tough. This is a very tough card with a low POP (only 17 total graded). There are 2x PSA 5's, and 6 PSA 4's in the POP with none higher. If I go 2.5, it's at the lower end of the grading POP. If I go 4 PD, it's a lot closer to the top. I'm not really interested in the PSA registry so much, but I do like to try to have highest graded example for my PC.

So my question is, what you would do. I'm right on the fence and I can't decide. I should have the card in hand Tuesday and want to get it out for crossover asap. Thanks guys.

[hoebob69]

This reason is why I believe grading has absolutely ruined the hobby!! Other than the fact that its the only way to guarantee authentication on a internet buying basis. There's no way for a company to be consistent with It's grades because of the human element! Everyone has different views so the absolute certainty in it is that the same card will get different grades by each individual due to preference. The fact that qualifiers exist absolutely contradicts the whole notion of the grading scale! How can a card be mint 9 but off center? It's absolute pandemonium,a fad that started as a positive thing but with time has become corrupted. Take sgc for example,when they started they had great deals,gave back to the customer in support of the hobby. Now that theyve finally gotten to the status of the other two they've raised prices and can't stay on time. I know I've gotten off topic but I saw the soap box just sitting there and couldn't resist.


In my opinion,regarding the original question asked,you'll always have a 50/50 split on the subject! Mainly because you have two types of collectors. One buys the card,not the grade. The other is the exact opposite. So you have one collector that loves the card and one that loves the number. Eventually,in the vintage card market especially,the two merge because of lack of higher grades. So in your situation I'd say the higher grade is always better.