Getting back into the hobby.... grading?

[Namttip]

So I recently joined this forum as it seems the most comprehensive and diverse that I found, so I thought I would jump in. Trying to figure out where to start - I've pulled my old collection from my junior high - college days. It seems like I could some worthy candidates for grading. Before I post my questions - I have searched the forums about grading and gotten sidetracked with a lot of the other posts that came up (from scandal to some awesome looking Wrestling Leaf pulls) - so don't flame or troll me about Google being my best friend :D

My first question is - it seems like BGS would be the way to go as they seem have the most stringent grading, PSA seems like an after thought of PCGS but I maybe way off here, then SGC. (I come from the coin world and PCGS is top notch ANACS, then NGC). Does this seem true or do I have them totally off?

Second question - once I decide which service to go with - what would be the most efficient way to obtain samples of Gem Mint or 9.5s of let's say 1984 Topps Football or 1993 Upperdeck SP Baseball or 1987 Fleer Baseball?

Any reposts of threads would be greatly appreciated! Everyone that I have contacted already have been really helpful - thanks in advance!

[theautographkid]

First question- Stick with BGS or PSA. Most reliable, and hold value over time.
Second question- Can't answer, I really don't know.
Welcome to Blowout!

[Namttip]

First question- Stick with BGS or PSA. Most reliable, and hold value over time.
Second question- Can't answer, I really don't know.
Welcome to Blowout!
If you were buying your "Holy Grail" card - would you prefer it in BGS or PSA?

Thanks for the response!

[death2redemptions]

If you were buying your "Holy Grail" card - would you prefer it in BGS or PSA?

Thanks for the response!

BGS for more recent cards and PSA for vintage (70's and earlier)

[theautographkid]

BGS for more recent cards and PSA for vintage (70's and earlier)

This...I got one of my 'holy grail' cards graded by BGS. 1 down 3 to go!

[Namttip]

BGS for more recent cards and PSA for vintage (70's and earlier)

Right on - that's sort of what I have gathered thus far - thanks for the affirmation!

This...I got one of my 'holy grail' cards graded by BGS. 1 down 3 to go!

I think I missed something but assume you mean your Magic, King, Doc auto! That is quite the card! Add them altogether and you might get 1/2 a Bill Russell :eek:

[theautographkid]

Right on - that's sort of what I have gathered thus far - thanks for the affirmation!



I think I missed something but assume you mean your Magic, King, Doc auto! That is quite the card! Add them altogether and you might get 1/2 a Bill Russell :eek:

Hahaha, yeah that's the one! Now I'm saving up for a LeBron rookie Exquisite, and a MJ/LeBron dual auto.

[pnft17]

BGS grading has become a joke.

PSA is much more respected and even seeing current PSA cards do better.

[Jeramy]

So, here is another newbie hijacking the thread a little...

A couple of you have mentioned BGS for newer cards and PSA for vintage. But, when I look on eBay, it always seems that a PSA9 sells for more than a BGS9. I admit that this could just be me not looking deep enough, but it seems to be this way for newer cards as well.

Is there a specific reason you prefer BGS for the newer card?

TIA.

[rickeywinsagain]

More people seem to participate in PSA's Set Registry, therefore older cards sell better in a PSA slab (especially higher grades). I think that in the future, a PSA card of a current card will retain more value than BGS simply because of more people participating in the Set Registry.

But as it stands right now, newer cards sell better in a BGS 9.5 instead of a PSA 10 (usually).

[Jeramy]

Thank you! And I assume this whole 9.5 thing means a 9.5=10?

[rickeywinsagain]

Thank you! And I assume this whole 9.5 thing means a 9.5=10?

Yup. 9.5 is BGS' designation for Gem Mint, while a PSA 10 is PSA's designation for Gem Mint. A BGS 10 is Pristine and is freaking rare from what I've seen.

[ArsonCuff]

After reading the book "The Card" I'm not sure how I'd feel about PSA and vintage cards ha ha The book suggests a lot of altered and trimmed cards and backdoor dealings with the company, maybe they have tried to clean up their image, but the past remains and lots of shady stuff put out on the market.

I've graded with BGS 4 times, they messed something up on 3 of those 4 orders and I had to send back and got free extra cards graded. (they forgot to add auto grades twice even though they were paid for and then once they sealed up what appeared to be a cut off piece of a cardboard box in the center of my slab over the card) (I've had one card that came back a perfect 10)

My personal reasons for choosing BGS when I graded was because I prefer the holders. The PSA cards I have had were loose in the holders and I don't see how something can be called a ten when you can shake it and ding the corners and edges up.

[rickeywinsagain]

After reading the book "The Card" I'm not sure how I'd feel about PSA and vintage cards ha ha The book suggests a lot of altered and trimmed cards and backdoor dealings with the company, maybe they have tried to clean up their image, but the past remains and lots of shady stuff put out on the market.

I've graded with BGS 4 times, they messed something up on 3 of those 4 orders and I had to send back and got free extra cards graded. (they forgot to add auto grades twice even though they were paid for and then once they sealed up what appeared to be a cut off piece of a cardboard box in the center of my slab over the card) (I've had one card that came back a perfect 10)

My personal reasons for choosing BGS when I graded was because I prefer the holders. The PSA cards I have had were loose in the holders and I don't see how something can be called a ten when you can shake it and ding the corners and edges up.

Corners in a PSA slab never can really touch anything, but yeah, the edges can. Can't see anyone really shaking a card though! Haha.

I do agree that BGS slabs are far superior. They are really nice.

As far as trimming, I bought a BGS 9.5, cracked it out and submitted it to PSA. It came back trimmed. Upon closer inspection, I should have caught it before I submitted it... It was VERY trimmed. I don't think BGS checks for that.

Boils down to personal choice I think. They both have their vices, they both have their pros.