Vintage Cards in "collector's grade"

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Posted By: Adam

Is there a general rule of thumb when it comes to what grade (or above) constitutes a "collector's grade" when it comes to vintage cards? For example, using the PSA or SGC grading scale, what grade (or above) would a T206 have to be to call it a collector's grade?

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Posted By: Marty

This is up to each individual collector to determine for them selves. If you ask some, PSA 8 is the lowest that should be sought out. For others, the cost is the issue, so they will look for 1's as long as they can tell what the card is. For the Mastro's, their raw cards in collector grade would probable range fron vg - exmt.

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Posted By: leon

When I hear "collector grade" in pre war terms I think of fr to vg.....but that is just me...Otherwise, of course, each collector is different....Hence, when I use the term "collector grade" you will see cards in the pr to vg grades....regards

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Posted By: David R

What does it mean to say that a card is "collector's grade"? Aren't most people who buy vintage cards collectors? Are the other cards investor grade? Dealer grade? Wealthy collector's grade?

I guess I don't get it. It seems like it's just a fancy way of saying the card is not in great shape.

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Posted By: Michael Steele

It really is subjective. I kind of agree with leon with P-VG but even VG is a pretty high grade in some sets such as the E-107 and really all caramels seem tough in ex or over. But then Jim C would probably say anything less then an 8 is the rest of mankinds trash.

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Posted By: Adam

So if VG or below is collector grade, what do you call above VG?

(ps- my initial post shows how little I understood of this terminology . . . I thought it was a certain grade and above, not a certain grade and below)

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Posted By: James Gallo

I would say it depends on the card and set.

I think generally G-VG is what I would consider collector grade. There are certain cards that I would be happy with in any condition (Boston Store Jackson).

I think the low to mid grade cards are more affordable to more people hence the term collector grade.

If an issue is really rare then I wouldn't even bother using the term but with something like T-206 or Cracker Jacks were you can find cards anywhere between 1-10, I think the 2 or 3 grade is the most affordable for the most people and hence are collector grade.

More people can pay $2000 for a low to mid grade card then 20K for a super hight grade one.

James G

Looking for 1915 Cracker Jacks and 1909-11 American Caramel E90-1.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

Collector's grade is loose, casual term-- not listed in any lexicon of terminology--, and means lower grade. I would say VgEx and below, though others may differ. I've heard the term used, but never specifically, much less officially, defined.

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Posted By: JimB

I think David R said it perfectly.

This particular collector has cards that range from poor to mint. I think it is silly classificatory term that is meant to be divisive. Why don't we just drop the term from our collective vocabularies.
JimB

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Posted By: Eric B

Collectors grade is VG-EX.

NM and above would be investors grade.

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Posted By: Scott Levy

Glad we got that cleared up

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Posted By: barrysloate

I use the term "collector grade" for my off condition material simply because it sounds better than "low grade." It's really a minor point.

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

classificatory...


I think to understand "collector's grade", one (or several, for Bruce) must simultaneously contemplate the the term "investor's grade".

And I agree with most of what is above.

FW

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Posted By: Chris Diaz

I agree that it depends on the individual. As for T206's, in my short time of collecting these, I have noticed quite a difference in eye appeal between SGC 30's and 40's. Some 40's are just beautiful. Since 40's are within my budget, I'm trying get certain players in a grade of at least 40, so I guess that would be my "collectors grade". I think the phrase "buy the card, not the grade" could be applied here as well.

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Posted By: Doug

I've always considered it to be Fair-VG, but I guess a lot of it has to do with one's individual budget.

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Posted By: Steve Murray

This has always been my guide as to mainstream sets such as T206 and 33 Goudey. For less mainstream issues I do not use the term.

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Posted By: Mac Wubben

I will offer up a new definition of collector grade...a card with a low technical grade, but with good eye appeal. Pinholes or ad-back cards with back damage are good examples. I expect everyone to adopt this grading convention.

Mac

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Posted By: JimB

How about cards in the grades that collectors collect? That would be from poor to gem mint.
JimB

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Posted By: leon

With all due respect ...c'mon...."collector grade" when we see it in print means that the cards are usually in a little bit lower grade...ie pr-vg'ish.....This wasn't a trick question or a tough one. Do we really need to over analyze it? How many times have you seen a PSA 8 - PSA 10 be described as "collector grade"....sometimes common sense isn't so common....take care

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Posted By: JimB

Leon,
I know how it is used. I just think the implication that mid to high grade cards are accumulated by non-collectors is divisive and useless. Maybe it is time for another term.
jimB

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Posted By: leon

That is a fair thought. I just politely disagree. I will still use the commonly used term where it fits as I don't think it's too devisive. I think many of us "armpit" collectors like "collector grade" as opposed to "high grade"...... High grade collectors are equal to collector grade collectors as it's only a matter of personal taste. But again, I understand what you are saying..No big whoop in my book........take care

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Posted By: Alan

I say collector grade for me means "near poor".

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Posted By: JimB

Leon,
I would never think of the (previous) owner of a 4BH Kelly or N167 Ewing as an "armpit collector", but here we are again - squabbling over terminology.
Take care my friend,
JimB

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I believe collector's grade was meant to mean cards bought by the normal, average collector on a normal, average collecting budget-- either because they have a normal, average income or otherwise a limited budget for collecting. The proverbial collector in this case can't purchase a PSA 9 1955 Bowman Mickey Mantle (or at least many of them), but can afford one in, say, grade 3. If the normal, average collector aspired to own a 1958 Topps set, he'd be able to reasonably afford a Vg example rather than a PSA graded Nrmt-Mt example.

I believe this is the original and standard auction house meaning of the term. This definition leaves room for interpretation and argument over what grades for what card constitutes collector's grade. As already noted, the term is casual and shouldn't be taken too seriously. You won't be asked to define it on your entrance exams.

The majority of people in the hobby are normal, average collectors.

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Posted By: dennis

collector grade is average condition. circulated, vg/ex. this is a term used back b4 the price guides, slabbers and investors.and when collectors traded to get what they needed. if a card were worse it was noted as poor or a filler. there were always collectors around who were looking for "mint" cards and were willing to pay a premium,but most collectors just wanted average cards. i think in todays card collecting world the term is passe'.

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Posted By: leon

I sort of thought we were talking about "grade" and not value, as the title of the thread asked. As I remember one of those cards is a GD and the other is VG....I personally consider those collector grade...but you are right...it's just semantics. We armpits collect "
collector grade", for the most part....take care and best regards

ps...Dennis- personally I consider vg-ex in some series to be a little above collector grade...as in most caramel sets.....nice summation though

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Posted By: JimB

I guess some of my best cards are "armpit" cards.
JimB

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Posted By: leon

I still have a few closet "backbone" cards too...It's ok...we can co-mingle...take care now....

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Posted By: davidcycleback

There are no collector grade Van Gogh paintings, and I'm sure some are in rough shape. The same can probably said for T206 Honus Wagners.

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Posted By: Steve

To me it means cards or coins in lower grades that are still collectible.

Collector grade items should be problem free and show normal and natural wear.

High grade items were usually referred to as 'investment grade'

And are still in new or mint condition.

Of course this does not apply to all items and conditions.

Steve

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Posted By: Phil Garry

For most vintage baseball pwe-war issues, I would say 2's, 3's & 4's.