Any Mario Lemieux OPC RC experts here?

[irv]

While on a vintage hockey card site on face book, someone posted a RC of Mario that was quickly thought/proven to be fake so I posted and asked about mine as it is raw and was purchased raw.

I posted pics of the card, front and back, as well as a zoomed in scan of the Penguin but according the person who was offering help, he said the zoomed in pic wasn't good enough?

I've read a few articles and "I think" mine is good but I'd really like to know for sure if anyone here can tell me that, if possible? In all honesty, when I purchased this card, naively, Mario's weren't very expensive so I didn't think anyone had faked any. Dumb, I know.

My eyes aren't as good as they once were, even with glasses on but I do need to acquire a loupe, no doubt about it.

[cardsagain74]

If you don't get a loupe soon, I'm going to send a carrier pigeon to Canada with one (and instructions for him to peck you mercilessly)

[Throttlesteer]

I would need higher res scans to tell for sure. But I think it's good.

[jb217676]

Looks good Dale, I wouldn't be concerned!

[irv]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

If you don't get a loupe soon, I'm going to send a carrier pigeon to Canada with one (and instructions for him to peck you mercilessly)

LoL I hear ya, John.

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

I would need higher res scans to tell for sure. But I think it's good.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

Originally Posted by jb217676

Looks good Dale, I wouldn't be concerned!

Thanks Jeff.

Good to hear!

[Eric72]

Looks good, from what I can see.

If you have a high-res scan, PM me and I'll give you my email address. I can take a close look at the fine details for you.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Looks good, from what I can see.

If you have a high-res scan, PM me and I'll give you my email address. I can take a close look at the fine details for you.

Thanks for the offer, Eric. I just finished rescanning the penguin and card at 600 and 1200 DPI so these scans should be much better?

I'm not trying to influence your opinion, but after looking at these new scans, and comparing to what I seen in an article yesterday, I am 99.9% sure my Mario is good.
https://forums.collectors.com/discus...ux-rookie-pics

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by irv

Thanks for the offer, Eric. I just finished rescanning the penguin and card at 600 and 1200 DPI so these scans should be much better?

I'm not trying to influence your opinion, but after looking at these new scans, and comparing to what I seen in an article yesterday, I am 99.9% sure my Mario is good.
https://forums.collectors.com/discus...ux-rookie-pics

Positively Perfect Penguin!

Looks good, sir.

[Throttlesteer]

Yep, you're looking at the right stuff. Le Magnifique!

[irv]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Positively Perfect Penguin!

Looks good, sir.

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

Yep, you're looking at the right stuff. Le Magnifique!

Thanks guys!

Good to know.

[strohman99]

I'm no expert, but I was thinking it looked good myself.
Looks to be in nice shape too. I would get it graded with the way the prices have been going.

[irv]

Originally Posted by strohman99

I'm no expert, but I was thinking it looked good myself.
Looks to be in nice shape too. I would get it graded with the way the prices have been going.

Thanks.

Condition wise, it is in great shape but the tilt/OC part of it would definitely hurt it when it came to a solid high grade.

Guessing, I'd put it in the 6-7 range but I may be overrating it?
A slightly better scan which shows the tilt/OC better.

[Throttlesteer]

I would put it at Ex-Mt with the centering and cut. It could do better if youre willing to accept qualifiers

[Tomi]

Are you guys watching the PWCC Lemieux OPC PSA 10? Over $50K already with a little over a week to go. Man do I regret not buying when these were cheap. Great for the hobby.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Tomi

Are you guys watching the PWCC Lemieux OPC PSA 10? Over $50K already with a little over a week to go. Man do I regret not buying when these were cheap. Great for the hobby.

I came across it last night and decided to check it out when it was sitting at $40k. After looking at, I clicked back and seen it had already jumped to $45k in the 30 seconds I took checking it out!

Real interested to see where this one ends.

[mintacular]

Great card, looks good. Seems to be a 7, and you should grade it from a financial standpoint

[irv]

Originally Posted by mintacular

Great card, looks good. Seems to be a 7, and you should grade it from a financial standpoint

Thank you!

I agree, I should get it graded, and just might, but I believe, instead of sending it to SGC, PSA or Beckett stateside, I may use a newer company up here called MNT grading?
They are not far from me and it would be much cheaper. CDN dollar with no exchange rate, cheaper CDN shipping fees and no cross border mailing risks. I've been doing some research and looking at some of their slabbed cards and so far, I like what I see.
If and when this covid thing ends, I may just delivery my cards to them in person rather than risk any type of shipping problems? I could also pick them up when they were finished which would also make me feel a lot better too.
Currently, I likely have around 30+ cards I'd like to get graded so it just makes sense to me. Their popularity is also gaining traction so that is a plus as well.
https://mntgrading.com/

[Throttlesteer]

Stay away from graders other than PSA, SGC, or BGS. Unless all you care about is getting it slabbed. Its worth spending a few extra bucks and waiting for an OPC Lemieux rookie. Mint graded cards have been pretty inconsistent and will never sell for a fraction of the big 3.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

Stay away from graders other than PSA, SGC, or BGS. Unless all you care about is getting it slabbed. Its worth spending a few extra bucks and waiting for an OPC Lemieux rookie. Mint graded cards have been pretty inconsistent and will never sell for a fraction of the big 3.

I know there is a very slim chance that MNT will ever be highly regarded as the big 3, but, from what I have seen so far, I think they are a pretty legit company.
I've read some reviews on a couple other forums and the majority is fairly positive with quite a few also saying they are going to try/use them soon.

What stories have you read/heard about them being inconsistent?

[Throttlesteer]

Originally Posted by irv

I know there is a very slim chance that MNT will ever be highly regarded as the big 3, but, from what I have seen so far, I think they are a pretty legit company.
I've read some reviews on a couple other forums and the majority is fairly positive with quite a few also saying they are going to try/use them soon.

What stories have you read/heard about them being inconsistent?

Outside of the grading being a little soft for the grade, the perception is they aren't very knowledgeable in the vintage space. Most of their submissions are modern. Keep in mind, if you aren't planning on keeping the cards forever, you're better off only grading them once. MNT may take off at some point. But. I would hate to have to crack a card out and resubmit to another TPG just so I can get fair value for my stuff. It also risks damaging the card to do so

The big three certainly have their own challenges. But I would stick with them if it were my Lemieux. I would be more inclined to try them on modern stuff I was planning to keep.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by irv

Thank you!

I agree, I should get it graded, and just might, but I believe, instead of sending it to SGC, PSA or Beckett stateside, I may use a newer company up here called MNT grading?
They are not far from me and it would be much cheaper. CDN dollar with no exchange rate, cheaper CDN shipping fees and no cross border mailing risks. I've been doing some research and looking at some of their slabbed cards and so far, I like what I see.
If and when this covid thing ends, I may just delivery my cards to them in person rather than risk any type of shipping problems? I could also pick them up when they were finished which would also make me feel a lot better too.
Currently, I likely have around 30+ cards I'd like to get graded so it just makes sense to me. Their popularity is also gaining traction so that is a plus as well.
https://mntgrading.com/

Isn't KSA a solid option? (asking, not telling)

[irv]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

Outside of the grading being a little soft for the grade, the perception is they aren't very knowledgeable in the vintage space. Most of their submissions are modern. Keep in mind, if you aren't planning on keeping the cards forever, you're better off only grading them once. MNT may take off at some point. But. I would hate to have to crack a card out and resubmit to another TPG just so I can get fair value for my stuff. It also risks damaging the card to do so

The big three certainly have their own challenges. But I would stick with them if it were my Lemieux. I would be more inclined to try them on modern stuff I was planning to keep.

I hear ya but being up here in Canada, I am at a disadvantage due to the exchange rate and shipping across the border. Shipping is something that has always concerned me, especially with some of my 52 Topps cards. Not that I am necessarily going to have MNT grade my 52's, but it is a possibility? My thoughts were to get some of my modern hockey graded to see how they do then go from there. I've been kicking around this idea about getting my cards graded for 5 yrs now, so don't take it to the bank that I necessarily will.

Originally Posted by Eric72

Isn't KSA a solid option? (asking, not telling)

There are so many stories, both good and bad, about KSA it is hard to make up my mind. I have heard the new guy, Nate, is real good, but with their previous rep, I am not sure if that rep will ever be erased? MNT is closer to me as well, and like I mentioned above about dropping my cards off directly, MNT just makes the most sense to me at this point.

[Tomi]

PWCC Lemieux at $80K right now. Wow.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Tomi

PWCC Lemieux at $80K right now. Wow.

Is it going to crack a $100k? I'm not betting against it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-O-Pee-...A/402648369679