Old vs. New PSA Labels for Vintage Cards

kdailey4315 · 08-07-2022, 09:02 PM

I'm just getting back into the hobby after a 4+ year hiatus of life kids etc. I've been going through the collection recently and redefining what I want to collet and what I don't feel a passion for anymore. I remember when I was balls deep in this the labels for PSA cards mattered because "they used to grade harder." Is that an actual thing now? Do the old label PSA slabs command a higher price than new PSA labels?

tonye82 · 08-07-2022, 10:41 PM

i think its the exact opposite.

gmoney328 · 08-07-2022, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonye82

i think its the exact opposite.

You're right. It seems the general consensus is that the older slabs were not as aggressively graded. People want the newer slabs usually.

IgnatiusJReilly · 08-08-2022, 12:41 AM

In my opinion, slabs with a leading 4 or higher digit certification number are generally stronger cards than older slabs. It’s not always true, but I find it to be true better than 70% of the time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

oplum29 · 08-08-2022, 01:15 AM

for me personally, i favor the older PSA labels. too much happened recently with trimmed cards or suspect grading of 10's (cards with print marks, off centered, or rough edges, etc).

Scottish Punk · 08-08-2022, 08:36 AM

From my small sample size of cracking and crossing PSA to SGC. Old PSA labels - no lighthouse or PSA logo stamped in the middle - crossed a grade lower to SGC. Newer PSA slabs crossed over the same. These were 70's and 80's cards. PSA 7s and PSA 8s that crossed to SGC 6 and SGC 7. Ultra modern stuff is probably safe either way. In my mind, PSA decided to tighten up grading when they introduced the new slabs. Sort of a reset to modern grading.

VanLingoMungo46 · 08-09-2022, 04:37 PM

Old labels tend to grade easier, most would agree. But it is still possible to get an undergraded card in an old holder. I have several. Just as it remains possible to get an overgraded card in a new holder. Hate to admit it but I think I bought one a few weeks ago.

Some people won't buy a card in an old slab so that shifts the demand curve to the left.

The other issue with old labels is you are more likely to find sun faded cards in them because the slab doesn't keep out the light. Sun faded cards stink.

An old label tends to be harder to sell in my experience, but it's also about the card. I had a 56 Aaron SGC 86/7.5 in an old SGC holder and it was absolutely gorgeous and I received a premium for it when I decided to let it go. So it does ultimately depend upon the card quality.

pip · 08-10-2022, 12:43 AM

All TPGs were looser with the grades when they first started. It's part of the natural evolution of third-party grading so yes, earlier grades are much more lenient than modern grades. The only downside is that there are likely far more altered cards in PSA holders in the last ten years than prior to that time period (both in terms of quantity and percent).

grogu · 08-30-2022, 05:50 AM

The grade is the grade whether or not the tpg is or was allegedly more lenient. Maybe it’s just me but this all sounds like an argument for buy the slab not the card. If you’re not going to trust the grader why are you bothering with graded cards?

Ive seen and own some terrible looking low-to-mid grade vintage slabs in the lighthouse holder with the eye appeal of a lower grade, just as ive seen and own lower grade cards that present at though they were higher grades, but it is what it is. Past to present, it seems to me at least that little has changed in regards to a tpgs perceived leniency when you compare some of the lower grade cards in modern holders with those from 20 years ago.

In all, some will look great and some won’t. While shenanigans and errors exist in grading, it’s more usual historically that the assigned grade has a firm degree of legitimacy to it and should be accepted by those who choose to buy graded, otherwise, why do you bother? People who buy graded cards but then somehow find themselves incapable of accepting the grade the tpg assigns seem a little foolish for throwing their money into graded at all. The fact again to expect is that some will look good and some won’t.

towerymt · 08-30-2022, 11:45 AM

It helps to look at the cards in person. I looked at a PSA-6 '54 Hank Aaron at a show recently and it looked no better than a 5. Just looked really soft (literately, soft corners) for a 6. It had a cert number beginning with '0' and it was graded early in PSA's history.

Here's another one I found a while back. I didn't see it mentioned, but I'm pretty sure this is also in a PSA-6 holder. Some 4.5's and 5's look better. (also an old / early holder, but I don't have the cert number for this one, I cropped it out and can't find the original pic now)

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1490252

Cardsandcoffee · 08-31-2022, 07:27 PM

Sorry to take the subject slightly off topic for a bit - but does anyone know when PSA began to place a plastic film inside the slabs? Not talking about a inner sleeve, seen on some of the fatter slabs or oddly sized cards, but a clear plastic film that appears to be laid on top of regular sized cards. It appears to help the card not move around as much inside the slab.

I apologize if theres a thread already discussing this, I would be happy to get directed there. Just couldn't find one

Snakeonia · 09-04-2022, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardsandcoffee

Sorry to take the subject slightly off topic for a bit - but does anyone know when PSA began to place a plastic film inside the slabs? Not talking about a inner sleeve, seen on some of the fatter slabs or oddly sized cards, but a clear plastic film that appears to be laid on top of regular sized cards. It appears to help the card not move around as much inside the slab.

I apologize if theres a thread already discussing this, I would be happy to get directed there. Just couldn't find one

Im not sure I recently got one and card sliding everywhere crooked in the slab etc. not happy at all with it and its complete #@#@#@#@.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Svabinsky78 · 09-15-2022, 03:50 PM

The prevailing belief is that PSA was more lenient earlier on. That being said, it really comes down to the card. I have a good deal of PSA slabs that start with 0s, 1s, 2s, and 3s, and the cards all appear grade appropriate, in some cases, I think undergraded. Most are 7s though, so on the cusp of mid grade and high grade. Maybe with higher grades, you'll see more softer grading with the early slabs.

atk825 · 09-23-2022, 01:20 PM

I have been searching for high end Glenn Burke rookies raw or graded for a couple years now. I have bought raw and graded at SGC when I get one that's really sharp, with the highest being 8.5, which is super sharp with the only flaws being a print dot here or there. An older PSA 9 just came up that was very obviously diamond cut. I don't think there's any way either SGC or PSA would hang a 9 on that card now.

aguinness · 09-29-2022, 12:16 PM

Just a random thought, but with collectors/flippers seeking grade bumps for older cards that were "under graded," the population of cards that were "under graded" from long ago is probably non-existent. And the other side to that coin is that any card that was "over graded" will never be busted out to be regraded.
Perhaps the end result is that even if grading companies have not gotten stricter or improved their grading over the years, the older slab populations may appear to have "over graded" cards just due to this attrition.

discodanman45 · 09-29-2022, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aguinness

Just a random thought, but with collectors/flippers seeking grade bumps for older cards that were "under graded," the population of cards that were "under graded" from long ago is probably non-existent. And the other side to that coin is that any card that was "over graded" will never be busted out to be regraded.
Perhaps the end result is that even if grading companies have not gotten stricter or improved their grading over the years, the older slab populations may appear to have "over graded" cards just due to this attrition.

Probably some truth to this. If a card grades higher than you think, you keep it in the slab. If you think it could grade higher, crack and resubmit. With grading being cheaper in the past, this happened quite a bit. People also tend to keep cards in their collections that are undergraded in their opinion and sell the overgraded cards. That is why we might see more overgraded cards for sale as well.

VanLingoMungo46 · 09-29-2022, 05:01 PM

Great points those last two. Makes perfect sense. The other thing is that the PSA new flip is nicer looking. Once I start on a project I try to stick to new flips. There is also that rare case when I buy an old flip and then I want other cards in that section of my collection to look the same. Example is 52 Topps, my three 52 topps slabs are are old ones and if I add to them I would try to keep it uniform which is silly but you gotta have it your way.

Gustomania · 11-12-2022, 10:28 PM

I’m findings a lot of cards lately for 70s and 80s graded 8 or 9s that are really week from PSA. Seems from what I’m seeing they have been lessening the standard I would expect

08-07-2022, 09:02 PM	#1
kdailey4315 Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 423 KD4315	Old vs. New PSA Labels for Vintage Cards I'm just getting back into the hobby after a 4+ year hiatus of life kids etc. I've been going through the collection recently and redefining what I want to collet and what I don't feel a passion for anymore. I remember when I was balls deep in this the labels for PSA cards mattered because "they used to grade harder." Is that an actual thing now? Do the old label PSA slabs command a higher price than new PSA labels? __________________ Collecting all on card autos of Notre Dame players in ND uniform.

08-07-2022, 10:41 PM	#2
tonye82 Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 175	i think its the exact opposite. __________________ Video games, toys and cards.

08-08-2022, 01:15 AM	#5
oplum29 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 10,405	for me personally, i favor the older PSA labels. too much happened recently with trimmed cards or suspect grading of 10's (cards with print marks, off centered, or rough edges, etc). __________________ "got em, got em, need em, got em, got em, need em, got em" - Little Monsters

08-10-2022, 12:43 AM	#8
pip Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: French underground Posts: 4,009	All TPGs were looser with the grades when they first started. It's part of the natural evolution of third-party grading so yes, earlier grades are much more lenient than modern grades. The only downside is that there are likely far more altered cards in PSA holders in the last ten years than prior to that time period (both in terms of quantity and percent). __________________ Dealers to avoid -- https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpost.php?p=14831085&postcount=1

08-30-2022, 05:50 AM	#9
grogu Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Revere, MA Posts: 35 ballbuster	Old vs. New PSA Labels for Vintage Cards The grade is the grade whether or not the tpg is or was allegedly more lenient. Maybe it’s just me but this all sounds like an argument for buy the slab not the card. If you’re not going to trust the grader why are you bothering with graded cards? Ive seen and own some terrible looking low-to-mid grade vintage slabs in the lighthouse holder with the eye appeal of a lower grade, just as ive seen and own lower grade cards that present at though they were higher grades, but it is what it is. Past to present, it seems to me at least that little has changed in regards to a tpgs perceived leniency when you compare some of the lower grade cards in modern holders with those from 20 years ago. In all, some will look great and some won’t. While shenanigans and errors exist in grading, it’s more usual historically that the assigned grade has a firm degree of legitimacy to it and should be accepted by those who choose to buy graded, otherwise, why do you bother? People who buy graded cards but then somehow find themselves incapable of accepting the grade the tpg assigns seem a little foolish for throwing their money into graded at all. The fact again to expect is that some will look good and some won’t.

08-08-2022, 12:41 AM	#4
IgnatiusJReilly Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Newbury Park, CA Posts: 1,982 Stonethecrow34	In my opinion, slabs with a leading 4 or higher digit certification number are generally stronger cards than older slabs. It’s not always true, but I find it to be true better than 70% of the time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-08-2022, 08:36 AM	#6
Scottish Punk Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 9,749 scottishpunk	From my small sample size of cracking and crossing PSA to SGC. Old PSA labels - no lighthouse or PSA logo stamped in the middle - crossed a grade lower to SGC. Newer PSA slabs crossed over the same. These were 70's and 80's cards. PSA 7s and PSA 8s that crossed to SGC 6 and SGC 7. Ultra modern stuff is probably safe either way. In my mind, PSA decided to tighten up grading when they introduced the new slabs. Sort of a reset to modern grading.

08-09-2022, 04:37 PM	#7
VanLingoMungo46 Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 700	Old labels tend to grade easier, most would agree. But it is still possible to get an undergraded card in an old holder. I have several. Just as it remains possible to get an overgraded card in a new holder. Hate to admit it but I think I bought one a few weeks ago. Some people won't buy a card in an old slab so that shifts the demand curve to the left. The other issue with old labels is you are more likely to find sun faded cards in them because the slab doesn't keep out the light. Sun faded cards stink. An old label tends to be harder to sell in my experience, but it's also about the card. I had a 56 Aaron SGC 86/7.5 in an old SGC holder and it was absolutely gorgeous and I received a premium for it when I decided to let it go. So it does ultimately depend upon the card quality.

08-30-2022, 11:45 AM	#10
towerymt Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: VA Posts: 8,767	It helps to look at the cards in person. I looked at a PSA-6 '54 Hank Aaron at a show recently and it looked no better than a 5. Just looked really soft (literately, soft corners) for a 6. It had a cert number beginning with '0' and it was graded early in PSA's history. Here's another one I found a while back. I didn't see it mentioned, but I'm pretty sure this is also in a PSA-6 holder. Some 4.5's and 5's look better. (also an old / early holder, but I don't have the cert number for this one, I cropped it out and can't find the original pic now) https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1490252

08-31-2022, 07:27 PM	#11
Cardsandcoffee Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: PNW Posts: 1,073	Sorry to take the subject slightly off topic for a bit - but does anyone know when PSA began to place a plastic film inside the slabs? Not talking about a inner sleeve, seen on some of the fatter slabs or oddly sized cards, but a clear plastic film that appears to be laid on top of regular sized cards. It appears to help the card not move around as much inside the slab. I apologize if theres a thread already discussing this, I would be happy to get directed there. Just couldn't find one

09-15-2022, 03:50 PM	#13
Svabinsky78 Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 446	The prevailing belief is that PSA was more lenient earlier on. That being said, it really comes down to the card. I have a good deal of PSA slabs that start with 0s, 1s, 2s, and 3s, and the cards all appear grade appropriate, in some cases, I think undergraded. Most are 7s though, so on the cusp of mid grade and high grade. Maybe with higher grades, you'll see more softer grading with the early slabs.

09-23-2022, 01:20 PM	#14
atk825 Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 3,094	I have been searching for high end Glenn Burke rookies raw or graded for a couple years now. I have bought raw and graded at SGC when I get one that's really sharp, with the highest being 8.5, which is super sharp with the only flaws being a print dot here or there. An older PSA 9 just came up that was very obviously diamond cut. I don't think there's any way either SGC or PSA would hang a 9 on that card now.

09-29-2022, 12:16 PM	#15
aguinness Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 384 garfles aguinness	Just a random thought, but with collectors/flippers seeking grade bumps for older cards that were "under graded," the population of cards that were "under graded" from long ago is probably non-existent. And the other side to that coin is that any card that was "over graded" will never be busted out to be regraded. Perhaps the end result is that even if grading companies have not gotten stricter or improved their grading over the years, the older slab populations may appear to have "over graded" cards just due to this attrition.

09-29-2022, 05:01 PM	#17
VanLingoMungo46 Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 700	Great points those last two. Makes perfect sense. The other thing is that the PSA new flip is nicer looking. Once I start on a project I try to stick to new flips. There is also that rare case when I buy an old flip and then I want other cards in that section of my collection to look the same. Example is 52 Topps, my three 52 topps slabs are are old ones and if I add to them I would try to keep it uniform which is silly but you gotta have it your way.

11-12-2022, 10:28 PM	#18
Gustomania Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,888	I’m findings a lot of cards lately for 70s and 80s graded 8 or 9s that are really week from PSA. Seems from what I’m seeing they have been lessening the standard I would expect __________________ Collecting: Sandy Koufax "Left Arm of God"