Kobe Topps Finest Heirs Gold, does coating add value? should i remove before grading?

[Milz187]

I purchased this recently, the corners and edges look great and the peel is still in tact. I didn't want to leave it unprotected / out of case for too long but when i opened it there were very minor marks on the coating. I've seen them graded both with and without the sleeve and am wondering if value changes at all. I don't ever plan to sell it but in grading it I'll like to know i'm making the best choice for the future.

The marks in the image are from the one touch, the marks i'm talking about only really show on a very close inspection.

https://gyazo.com/d471e6fdae9d6852aadbd1b7582d58b7.jpeg

[jzx1103]

Well looking at the bronze Finest Kobe sale history, the ones with coating is clearly selling for more than the ones without. So there's your answer.

[Milz187]

Well looking at the bronze Finest Kobe sale history, the ones with coating is clearly selling for more than the ones without. So there's your answer.

Thanks, yeah i think i need to work out how how grading works in regards to the scratches.. I've been told with the bronze that scratches on the coating could mean that it could say grade a 7 surface where if it was removed then it could get a 9.5 for surface. I feel that factors, maybe i should just take it to an expert to look over.

[2010GBPackers]

If there are marks on the coating, that will kill the grade. PSA is very tough on surface grading. If you don't mind giving it two tries, why not submit it w/ the coating first to see what grade you get? You could always crack it out, peel it, and resubmit.

[regularp]

It might be really tough to peel it now. When I opened a box of '97 Finest a few years ago, I tried peeling some cards for fun and some of them were impossible.

[Milz187]

If there are marks on the coating, that will kill the grade. PSA is very tough on surface grading. If you don't mind giving it two tries, why not submit it w/ the coating first to see what grade you get? You could always crack it out, peel it, and resubmit.

Thanks, awesome suggestion, I'll do that.

[Milz187]

It might be really tough to peel it now. When I opened a box of '97 Finest a few years ago, I tried peeling some cards for fun and some of them were impossible.

Did you apply any heat? i've seen some youtube clips where they breath on it to soften it up a bit.

[ballhawkdawk]

I’ve never tried heat, but I finger around the edges until I can get something going and then get tweezers and work it a bit. Once there’s enough lifted that I can grab, I hold the card down with a sleeve between my finger and the card and then peel the coating with my other hand. It’s a slow process... make sure you wear your shades to protect from that fresh surface shine.

[Justin7]

This is the great debate. I prefer w/coating

[2010GBPackers]

It might be really tough to peel it now. When I opened a box of '97 Finest a few years ago, I tried peeling some cards for fun and some of them were impossible.

This is very true. A guy at the LCS just opened a few '96 Finest Series 1 boxes and peeled a scrub base to see how hard they were to get off. Let's just say he didn't try with the Kobe's and Iverson's.