An age old question...

davinci88 · 06-07-2023, 09:38 AM

The age old question - did PSA grade more accurately/stricter back in the day?

Was there ever an arbitrage in the market to re-sub older labels? Just curious.

Check out the label on this Murray:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37474105742...Bk9SR_60tuSSYg

Jolten Joe · 06-07-2023, 09:51 AM

That looks like an 8 to me. centering is off and the edges are rough like they were cut with a butter knife.

If anything I think they grade stricter now at least on ultra modern based on my last few subs although the latest one was alot better than the previous 2.

As far as the label yo can have it re labeled but if they think the grade needs to be update one way or the other in this case down if anything they ill give it a new grade I think.

OhioLawyerF5 · 06-07-2023, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davinci88

The age old question - did PSA grade more accurately/stricter back in the day?

Was there ever an arbitrage in the market to re-sub older labels? Just curious.

Check out the label on this Murray:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37474105742...Bk9SR_60tuSSYg

I think the consensus is that PSA graded easier back in the day. Typically, the older the label, the less confident people are that it would get that grade today. Obviously that is speaking very generally. Individual cards and individual graders vary greatly across the years.

nmh20 · 06-07-2023, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jolten Joe

That looks like an 8 to me. centering is off and the edges are rough like they were cut with a butter knife.

If anything I think they grade stricter now at least on ultra modern based on my last few subs although the latest one was alot better than the previous 2.

In what universe is that a PSA 8? The edges on that card are an abomination

davinci88 · 06-07-2023, 09:58 AM

Appreciate those answers. I agree that it all depends on the card/grader and is not necessarily correlated with when it was graded. I think, generally speaking, older slabbed cards were mayyyybe more accurately graded insofar each grader spent more time on each card.

Given that PSA is currently inundated with grade requests I would imagine the time spent per grade has gone down. IMHO.

ThoseBackPages · 06-07-2023, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmh20

In what universe is that a PSA 8? The edges on that card are an abomination

The O-Pee-Chee universe.

davinci88 · 06-07-2023, 10:00 AM

This one looks misgraded as well (should be a qualifier at least):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33489646667...Bk9SR6iq9OWSYg

jayjones82 · 06-07-2023, 10:01 AM

It's a vintage OPC...they tended to have rougher edges from the cutting method, so graders have traditionally been a little more lenient on the grades with them. To me, it's actually a nice 8 OPC

ThoseBackPages · 06-07-2023, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davinci88

This one looks misgraded as well (should be a qualifier at least):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33489646667...Bk9SR6iq9OWSYg

how so?

another thing to keep in mind is that some cards need to be seen in person

Jolten Joe · 06-07-2023, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmh20

In what universe is that a PSA 8? The edges on that card are an abomination

I was referencing the fact that it shouldn't be graded any higher. I also stated that if it was sent in to be relabeled it would most likely be downgraded and be given a new grade.

davinci88 · 06-07-2023, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

how so?

another thing to keep in mind is that some cards need to be seen in person

For sure. I'm just going off-the-cuff here. Looked off-centered to me.

Here is an actual PSA 9 IMHO:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28527754596...Bk9SR6qq9OWSYg

ThoseBackPages · 06-07-2023, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davinci88

For sure. I'm just going off-the-cuff here. Looked off-centered to me.

Here is an actual PSA 9 IMHO:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28527754596...Bk9SR6qq9OWSYg

i hear ya, but even 10s can have 60/40 centering and qualify for a 10 grade

ScooterD · 06-07-2023, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjones82

It's a vintage OPC...they tended to have rougher edges from the cutting method, so graders have traditionally been a little more lenient on the grades with them. To me, it's actually a nice 8 OPC

Is the same true of graders’ leniency for a misfit sheet of superfractors or other 1/1’s resulting in many off-center subjects? Do they make concessions for that too?

davinci88 · 06-07-2023, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

i hear ya, but even 10s can have 60/40 centering and qualify for a 10 grade

That is true. I cede the point. I would probably bid on another one.

But that's just me.

ThoseBackPages · 06-07-2023, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davinci88

That is true. I cede the point. I would probably bid on another one.

But that's just me.

yea, i prefer centering for sure.

davinci88 · 06-07-2023, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

yea, i prefer centering for sure.

Off-centering drives me particularly nuts. haha.

davinci88 · 06-07-2023, 10:12 AM

This one is gorgeous, imho:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28525524691...Bk9SR6qq9OWSYg

dodgerfanjohn · 06-07-2023, 10:23 AM

The edges on that Murray are normal. That’s what you should expect from an o pee Cher card and no graders ding for that rough cut.

O pee chee cards with rough cut edges can get a 10.

That said, and the Murray card is NOT a good example, grading has gotten tougher the past few years.

davinci88 · 06-07-2023, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgerfanjohn

The edges on that Murray are normal. That’s what you should expect from an o pee Cher card and no graders ding for that rough cut.

O pee chee cards with rough cut edges can get a 10.

That said, and the Murray card is NOT a good example, grading has gotten tougher the past few years.

Reason I chose that particular Murray was because it was graded accurately - IMHO. New PSA graders would ding the rough cut OPC edges IMHO - since they would be less informed on the vintage cards like that.

What do you guys think?

towerymt · 06-07-2023, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

i hear ya, but even 10s can have 60/40 centering and qualify for a 10 grade

(WARNING: not an Eddie, rather a PSA-10 with poor centering)
https://ebay.com/itm/295736128118

ThoseBackPages · 06-07-2023, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by towerymt

(WARNING: not an Eddie, rather a PSA-10 with poor centering)
https://ebay.com/itm/295736128118

yea, not sure whats worse... the centering on that card, or that Topps upped the Blue Refractors up to 199

towerymt · 06-07-2023, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

yea, not sure whats worse... the centering on that card, or that Topps upped the Blue Refractors up to 199

TCU refractor also up from 250 to 299.

trashman · 06-07-2023, 11:04 AM

Pop control is real. I think specific cards get harder grading.

davinci88 · 06-07-2023, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trashman

Pop control is real. I think specific cards get harder grading.

What's the proof behind pop control? Like I could imagine it happening. But why? What would be the point?

mc1 · 06-07-2023, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davinci88

What's the proof behind pop control? Like I could imagine it happening. But why? What would be the point?

Those guys dont need proof. Its all in their heads.

06-07-2023, 09:38 AM	#1
davinci88 Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 164	An age old question... The age old question - did PSA grade more accurately/stricter back in the day? Was there ever an arbitrage in the market to re-sub older labels? Just curious. Check out the label on this Murray: https://www.ebay.com/itm/37474105742...Bk9SR_60tuSSYg

06-07-2023, 09:51 AM	#2
Jolten Joe Banned - PBM Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 1,666	That looks like an 8 to me. centering is off and the edges are rough like they were cut with a butter knife. If anything I think they grade stricter now at least on ultra modern based on my last few subs although the latest one was alot better than the previous 2. As far as the label yo can have it re labeled but if they think the grade needs to be update one way or the other in this case down if anything they ill give it a new grade I think. Last edited by Jolten Joe; 06-07-2023 at 09:55 AM.

06-07-2023, 10:01 AM	#8
jayjones82 Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: GA to Germany to TX Posts: 3,452	It's a vintage OPC...they tended to have rougher edges from the cutting method, so graders have traditionally been a little more lenient on the grades with them. To me, it's actually a nice 8 OPC __________________ Always looking at Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken, Jr, Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey, Jr., Chipper Jones (and most other Braves - but never Tom Glavine), vintage stars, Joe Montana (49er's jersey), Larry Bird, and Pete Maravich

06-07-2023, 09:58 AM	#5
davinci88 Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 164	Appreciate those answers. I agree that it all depends on the card/grader and is not necessarily correlated with when it was graded. I think, generally speaking, older slabbed cards were mayyyybe more accurately graded insofar each grader spent more time on each card. Given that PSA is currently inundated with grade requests I would imagine the time spent per grade has gone down. IMHO.

06-07-2023, 10:00 AM	#7
davinci88 Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 164	This one looks misgraded as well (should be a qualifier at least): https://www.ebay.com/itm/33489646667...Bk9SR6iq9OWSYg

06-07-2023, 10:12 AM	#17
davinci88 Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 164	This one is gorgeous, imho: https://www.ebay.com/itm/28525524691...Bk9SR6qq9OWSYg

06-07-2023, 10:23 AM	#18
dodgerfanjohn Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 5,267 sternroolz	The edges on that Murray are normal. That’s what you should expect from an o pee Cher card and no graders ding for that rough cut. O pee chee cards with rough cut edges can get a 10. That said, and the Murray card is NOT a good example, grading has gotten tougher the past few years.

06-07-2023, 11:04 AM	#23
trashman Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 9	Pop control is real. I think specific cards get harder grading.