Is getting a card graded worth it?

[Burglekutt]

Like the title says, is getting a card graded worth it if you don't intend to sell?

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by Burglekutt

Like the title says, is getting a card graded worth it if you don't intend to sell?

That is 100% dependent on card and condition. No way to answer that in a simple yes/no. Go look at completed sales and add in the grading cost - $25 and check to see if a 9 grade boosts the value enough.

Vintage is whole different conversation. Card and condition. Also depends what you want for your PC.

[Burglekutt]

Originally Posted by Scottish Punk

That is 100% dependent on card and condition. No way to answer that in a simple yes/no. Go look at completed sales and add in the grading cost - $25 and check to see if a 9 grade boosts the value enough.

Vintage is whole different conversation. Card and condition. Also depends what you want for your PC.

Thank you.

In my case, I'm speaking of the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr., 1969 Topps Hank Aaron and 1965 Topps Carl Yastrzemski.

[oddstuff]

If you truly don't intend to never sell the cards, then no...why give money away?

[iluvfish2]

Originally Posted by Burglekutt

Thank you.

In my case, I'm speaking of the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr., 1969 Topps Hank Aaron and 1965 Topps Carl Yastrzemski.

Griffey probably needs to be really clean if youre considering PSA.

Vintage PSA and SCG due very well as far as resell. Pros/Cons on each company to get them graded. So potentially a crap shoot there depending on how much you want to invest into the grading compared to cards condition and/or what you think your long term goals are with the cards.

[bojesphob]

I think this depends. Are they good enough to potentially get a 10? Then the answer could be yes if you want to make sure that you protect them and keep them that way. The Griffey I would say you'd probably be better off buying a 10 and selling that copy raw (reduces your risk of not getting the grade you want). There are a LOT of copies of it out in the wild, and a 9 probably doesn't mean much in the long run with the print run of that card. But, the other two, even if they are lower grade, it would be worthwhile just to seal them (IMO), but not at the length of time it takes PSA or the cost. I, personally, would get SGC to do them before they're no longer an option.

I have only graded for two reasons: some cards I sold recently went for FAR more than raw because of their high grades, being PSA 9s and 10s for really rare cards. The other reason is I have a rainbow that I plan to give to my daughter in my will, and whether she keeps it or not is up to her, but by that time it will be FAR easier to sell since the entire thing is graded. Also really fun to say I have two 1/1s of the same player from the same set (one base and one insert) that graded PSA 10s. I also know they are protected from everything but extreme damage (like fire).
That said, I don't think this is something anyone else can answer for you, but that will hopefully give you enough information to help you make an informed decision.

[MavsRChamps]

If you don't intend to sell, you're basically asking one of the below questions:

1) Is the "value added to me of holding the graded card worth more than the $20+ to grade"
2) "When I die, will the person having the card and selling it want it to be graded?"

I don't know how we can possibly answer #1 for you. For #2, lookup PSA 6-8 values of the cards you're considering, and see if the value equation makes sense. If there's gray area, you can argue either way - 1) grade now because prices of grading will only go up in future, and better to get it encased now 2) Wait it out because who knows if people will value PSA or grading down the road

[Burglekutt]

Originally Posted by oddstuff

If you truly don't intend to never sell the cards, then no...why give money away?

Peace of mind really. But of course if the cost to send them off to be graded is stupid expensive then I'll pass.

[Burglekutt]

Very solid points thank you. These are the cards in question. I understand none of them are at the level of a 10.

[inaka]

For the Ken Griffey Jr. card, check the back. If the diamond hologram isn't perfectly centered within the hologram spot, it won't get a great grade. If the hologram is peeling, that too will greatly ding the grade, even if the card is otherwise perfect.

[bojesphob]

I mean, SGC prices right now, why not? I graded some cards worth a dollar for my 2014 rainbow, just so that I had them encapsulated like the rest of it. If they were in really terrible shape (like 1s) I'd say it wasn't worth it, but those look clean enough to warrant a try at least. Personally, I do like the fact the cards I plan on passing on are encapsulated, even though the rest of my collection is not. These aren't 2025 no name rookies you're grading, so there will always be some value in them graded, even if they aren't 10s.

[Burglekutt]

Originally Posted by inaka

For the Ken Griffey Jr. card, check the back. If the diamond hologram isn't perfectly centered within the hologram spot, it won't get a great grade. If the hologram is peeling, that too will greatly ding the grade, even if the card is otherwise perfect.

Thanks. I'll take a look and post a photo here ASAP to get other opinions. I've had this card in a screw down case since I got it in 1990 and it's never been taken out.

[Burglekutt]

Originally Posted by bojesphob

I mean, SGC prices right now, why not? I graded some cards worth a dollar for my 2014 rainbow, just so that I had them encapsulated like the rest of it. If they were in really terrible shape (like 1s) I'd say it wasn't worth it, but those look clean enough to warrant a try at least. Personally, I do like the fact the cards I plan on passing on are encapsulated, even though the rest of my collection is not. These aren't 2025 no name rookies you're grading, so there will always be some value in them graded, even if they aren't 10s.

Thanks, that's some solid advice. I have a ton of cards from my early 90's buying/trading craze, but these are really the only cards I'm considering having graded.

[oddstuff]

Screwdowns unfortunately can be bad for cards....can leave surface issues on the card (cards with noticeable surface issues pretty much get bumped down to a 6). The Griffey looks off center left/right. so no more than a 9...and the corners look a little soft...so my guess is an 8 at best.

[Burglekutt]

Originally Posted by oddstuff

Screwdowns unfortunately can be bad for cards....can leave surface issues on the card (cards with noticeable surface issues pretty much get bumped down to a 6). The Griffey looks off center left/right. so no more than a 9...and the corners look a little soft...so my guess is an 8 at best.

That's wonderful to know.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Subscribed.

[towerymt]

I have a pack-pulled '89 UD Griffey that will get an 8 or maybe 9 from PSA...but most likely no better than an 8. I have reviewed the card condition several times in the past as I put together orders to send to PSA. Each time, I decide not to send it. Not worth it. Plus I like that its in the same top loader it has been in since ~1992 when my friend pulled it.

'89 UD Griffey sells for more as PSA-1/PSA-2/PSA-3 than it does as PSA-8. So your best bet is to keep it in your pocket for a few weeks...then send it to PSA.

[mjohnatgt]

Originally Posted by oddstuff

Screwdowns unfortunately can be bad for cards....can leave surface issues on the card (cards with noticeable surface issues pretty much get bumped down to a 6).

Cards from non-recessed screwdowns (ones that didn't have a space for the card to rest in) normally will end up not getting graded by PSA, only getting slabbed as Authentic Altered if you say on your submission form you're willing to accept Authentic. That's because the act of screwing the plastic together pressed the cards, making them thinner; it's considered alteration because that's also how creases can be removed.

Yaz looks like a VG-EX 4 or so to me because of the bottom right corner damage. The Aaron looks like a 6 because of the centering. Image makes it look like it's not cut properly (perpendicular). So it might not get a number grade at all because of being miscut, the ungraded type.

[Burglekutt]

Originally Posted by mjohnatgt

Cards from non-recessed screwdowns (ones that didn't have a space for the card to rest in) normally will end up not getting graded by PSA, only getting slabbed as Authentic Altered if you say on your submission form you're willing to accept Authentic. That's because the act of screwing the plastic together pressed the cards, making them thinner; it's considered alteration because that's also how creases can be removed.

Yaz looks like a VG-EX 4 or so to me because of the bottom right corner damage. The Aaron looks like a 6 because of the centering. Image makes it look like it's not cut properly (perpendicular). So it might not get a number grade at all because of being miscut, the ungraded type.

Thanks for the info. Mine are in recessed screw downs.

[Gary]

Originally Posted by Burglekutt

Like the title says, is getting a card graded worth it if you don't intend to sell?

You may never intend to sell,but someday whoever inherits the cards will....send the vintage to SGC the jr everyone's already told you the pitfalls and what to do.

[discodanman45]

As someone that grades a lot, these cards should not be graded. Grading will set you back $20 plus a card with shipping and you will not add this value to these cards. If these are your only three vintage type cards, the person inheriting these won't care any way. If you have a larger collection that is ungraded, Greg Morris cards will give you a higher return if you factor in grading fees. I don't like the argument you have to grade in case you die. As long as there is Greg Morris on eBay, you will be fine.

[Burglekutt]

It sounds like peace of mind is not a good reason to invest in getting at least these cards graded.

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by Burglekutt

It sounds like peace of mind is not a good reason to invest in getting at least these cards graded.

What peace of mind? The cards are all real and unfortunately they won't grade high enough to justify $20 plus to grade. 60's Topps cards are more plentiful than people think. Even high numbers are not worth grading since collectors pay a premium for them for sets.

These are awesome cards, but there is no financial benefit in grading them. I would put them in new top loaders or put into a one touch or magpro if you want to go all out for presentation.

This is a great start to a vintage collection! 60's Topps are very affordable in mid to low grades. Yaz cards are super cheap and you should get some more!

[Burglekutt]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

What peace of mind? The cards are all real and unfortunately they won't grade high enough to justify $20 plus to grade. 60's Topps cards are more plentiful than people think. Even high numbers are not worth grading since collectors pay a premium for them for sets.

These are awesome cards, but there is no financial benefit in grading them. I would put them in new top loaders or put into a one touch or magpro if you want to go all out for presentation.

This is a great start to a vintage collection! 60's Topps are very affordable in mid to low grades. Yaz cards are super cheap and you should get some more!

Thank you. Peace of mind is probably the wrong use of words. I was leaning towards getting them graded just to see where they would be rated and having that nice case with grading placard mounted at the top. But if they're not really worth enough money to spend on that, I'd rather not do it. I trust you fine folks on here would know.

That having been said, this is insane money being asked.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15750165751...caAumiEALw_wcB

[Rbradleigh]

Some of ya are forgetting that if you submit a single card or heck even a few in a single submission to tack on another $40 in shipping fees. And a single “value” submission at the $25 coat is also gonna take what 4 months+ in TAT for PSA.
Part of the equation in “is it worth it?”