Something that still confuses me about collectors and grading

dashcol · 01-31-2026, 02:14 PM

I get it, a PSA 10 is supposedly flawless.

A PSA 9 is still a mint card, and most cannot tell the difference.

I understand a 10 being worth more than a 9, I’m not questioning that.

Here is what got me thinking about it.

I have two Ohtani RCs in my PC.

2018 Heritage #600 PSA 10.
2018 Panini Black Friday /199 PSA 9

The Heritage is a $450 card.
The Black Friday is a $200 card.

There are 6 PSA 10 of the Panini, and 21 PSA 9.

There are 8,284 PSA 10 of the Heritage.

That is more than 41 times as many of the Black Friday Ohtani even made!

So why is a PSA 10 of a base card, worth twice as much as a limited card?

Now, for full transparency, the PSA 9 Heritage Ohtani is $150. So to compare similar grades, the Black Friday is more, but it is still comparing A BASE card to a very limited card.

Noles939913 · 01-31-2026, 02:16 PM

Because it’s Panini…and a Black Friday at that. Highly undesirable.

dashcol · 01-31-2026, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noles939913

Because it’s Panini…and a Black Friday at that. Highly undesirable.

I am not arguing that.

My confusion is over 8,000 and counting of a base card is twice a limited card.

Panini, Black Friday are hits on it, but, IMO the rarity (and it is a nice looking card) means it should be closer than less than half a base card.

If I could only keep one, I would keep the Pajama over the base. Maybe that’s just me.

I’m not complaining, just confused.

ThoseBackPages · 01-31-2026, 02:26 PM

Familiarity also plays into it.

Having said that i am in the
PSA 10 Tax is the R word camp.

Archangel1775 · 01-31-2026, 02:32 PM

For the same reason a Mercedes Benz is worth more than Fiat.

For the same reason Coca-Cola is more popular than RC Cola

For the same reason McDonalds is more popular than McDowell's.

mfw13 · 01-31-2026, 02:39 PM

I'm wondering why collectors place value on the opinions of "graders" whose training and qualifications they know nothing about.

I'm wondering why collectors place such high value on differences in condition that in many cases are not even visible to the naked eye.

For me, there's no functional difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10, especially since I have no idea who is doing the grading and what their qualifications/skills are. We've seen plenty of cards in PSA 10 slabs over the years that should actually be 9's or even 8's.....

hermanotarjeta · 01-31-2026, 02:40 PM

Panini card - unlicensed, haphazard promo pack distribution, only 500 people want that card, only half care about the grade.

Heritage high card - licensed, iconic, nationally released, 500,000 people want that card, many love the grade.

It’s all simple supply versus demand.

dashcol · 01-31-2026, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

Familiarity also plays into it.

Having said that i am in the
PSA 10 Tax is the R word camp.

I am onboard with you TBP. I agreed with you from the beginning. Forever PC Cards, I will chose a 9 over a 10. That way I get two cards for the price of one, and I cannot tell the difference.

The only time I go for a 10 instead, is for a card that I am not sure if I am going to keep or not. That’s just so I maximize return IF I trade the card.

Like the PJ Ohtani was going to be my PC Ohtani card. The Heritage just kind of came up in a trade so I grabbed it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

For the same reason a Mercedes Benz is worth more than Fiat.

For the same reason Coca-Cola is more popular than RC Cola

For the same reason McDonalds is more popular than McDowell's.

I get what you are trying to say, and I don’t disagree.

However, some of those are not good examples. Coca-Cola does not sell for more than RC, it just sells more.

Mercedes is way more limited than a Fiat, so that would actually work for my argument.

dashcol · 01-31-2026, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfw13

I'm wondering why collectors place value on the opinions of "graders" whose training and qualifications they know nothing about.

I'm wondering why collectors place such high value on differences in condition that in many cases are not even visible to the naked eye.

For me, there's no functional difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10, especially since I have no idea who is doing the grading and what their qualifications/skills are. We've seen plenty of cards in PSA 10 slabs over the years that should actually be 9's or even 8's.....

I fully agree with you. See what I said to TBP.

I do not grade cards myself, I like graded cards for the protection. The offer more protection than a top loader. So when I can get a 9 for 10% more than a raw, that’s what I will do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Panini card - unlicensed, haphazard promo pack distribution, only 500 people want that card, only half care about the grade.

Heritage high card - licensed, iconic, nationally released, 500,000 people want that card, many love the grade.

It’s all simple supply versus demand.

Fair points. The only reason that BF card is worth what it is, is because Ohtani. The Acuna and Soto are no where near this.

Lonewolf · 01-31-2026, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Panini card - unlicensed, haphazard promo pack distribution, only 500 people want that card, only half care about the grade.

Heritage high card - licensed, iconic, nationally released, 500,000 people want that card, many love the grade.

It’s all simple supply versus demand.

Bingo. I can't stand the look of the unlicensed stuff. The card designs themselves are sometimes nice, but no logos or full team names just looks wrong.

Archangel1775 · 01-31-2026, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dashcol

I get what you are trying to say, and I don’t disagree.

However, some of those are not good examples. Coca-Cola does not sell for more than RC, it just sells more.

Mercedes is way more limited than a Fiat, so that would actually work for my argument.

I said the brand it was more popular.......

dashcol · 01-31-2026, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

I said the brand it was more popular.......

I understand what you were saying, and I agree.

My argument was based on value which is why I said that was not a good comparison.

Also, just wanted to say if MacDowell’s existed, I would break my no fast food rule every day!

JUNKWAX · 01-31-2026, 03:00 PM

Rarity does not always make something more valuable. Demand does. There are many of the same examples when it comes to Griffey.

dashcol · 01-31-2026, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JUNKWAX

Rarity does not always make something more valuable. Demand does. There are many of the same examples when it comes to Griffey.

That is a good comparison.

There is still probably more 89 Donruss Griffeys than 89 UD. I could be wrong on that though.

On the other hand, the UD Griffey has the benefit of being the first card of the first year of the first high end baseball set.

Noles939913 · 01-31-2026, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dashcol

That is a good comparison.

There is still probably more 89 Donruss Griffeys than 89 UD. I could be wrong on that though.

On the other hand, the UD Griffey has the benefit of being the first card of the first year of the first high end baseball set.

What was high end about 1989 Upper Deck? For me Topps Finest is the first true premium high end baseball set.

dashcol · 01-31-2026, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noles939913

What was high end about 1989 Upper Deck? For me Topps Finest is the first true premium high end baseball set.

At the time when it came out in 1989, it was the highest end set to come out. It showed what cards could be.

I agree 1993 Finest was a game changer, but was also crazy price!

In 1989 my LCS sold packs of 1989 UD for $2/pack which was unheard of. When 93 Finest came out it was $15/pack. Insane for most to pay for a pack of cards!

That’s why I say UD was the first high end. It was very different than Topps, Fleer and Donruss. It raised the bar. $2 instead of 35 cents.

oldgoldy97 · 01-31-2026, 03:59 PM

It’s a popularity contest.

hermanotarjeta · 01-31-2026, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

It’s a popularity contest.

Isn’t that common sense?

JUNKWAX · 01-31-2026, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noles939913

What was high end about 1989 Upper Deck? For me Topps Finest is the first true premium high end baseball set.

The foil packs were considered unsearchable and the hologram on the back of each card was supposed to eliminate fakes. For 1989 those were bold but mostly true claims.

boxbuster7 · 01-31-2026, 05:35 PM

topps...

asujbl · 01-31-2026, 06:42 PM

No one on the planet cares about a Panini Black Friday

That was easy

dashcol · 01-31-2026, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

No one on the planet cares about a Panini Black Friday

That was easy

That is fair. I liked how the card looked, and to me that means more.

As always, I always respect you opinion.

asujbl · 01-31-2026, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dashcol

That is fair. I liked how the card looked, and to me that means more.

As always, I always respect you opinion.

I sense sarcasm

But in this case? I’m right

/199 is irrelevant if literally no one cares about the 199 of them

dashcol · 01-31-2026, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

I sense sarcasm

But in this case? I’m right

/199 is irrelevant if literally no one cares about the 199 of them

Nope, no sarcasm at all. I truly like your perspective and input.

Sorry if it came off as sacarstic, I really do appreciate your perspective on everything.

Badgers0821 · 01-31-2026, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfw13

I'm wondering why collectors place value on the opinions of "graders" whose training and qualifications they know nothing about.

I'm wondering why collectors place such high value on differences in condition that in many cases are not even visible to the naked eye.

For me, there's no functional difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10, especially since I have no idea who is doing the grading and what their qualifications/skills are. We've seen plenty of cards in PSA 10 slabs over the years that should actually be 9's or even 8's.....

So this plays to your benefit, you should love grading.

01-31-2026, 02:14 PM	#1
dashcol Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: It's complicated Posts: 8,007	Something that still confuses me about collectors and grading I get it, a PSA 10 is supposedly flawless. A PSA 9 is still a mint card, and most cannot tell the difference. I understand a 10 being worth more than a 9, I’m not questioning that. Here is what got me thinking about it. I have two Ohtani RCs in my PC. 2018 Heritage #600 PSA 10. 2018 Panini Black Friday /199 PSA 9 The Heritage is a $450 card. The Black Friday is a $200 card. There are 6 PSA 10 of the Panini, and 21 PSA 9. There are 8,284 PSA 10 of the Heritage. That is more than 41 times as many of the Black Friday Ohtani even made! So why is a PSA 10 of a base card, worth twice as much as a limited card? Now, for full transparency, the PSA 9 Heritage Ohtani is $150. So to compare similar grades, the Black Friday is more, but it is still comparing A BASE card to a very limited card. __________________ “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jackie Robinson “Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way.” Satchel Paige.

01-31-2026, 02:16 PM	#2
Noles939913 Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 7,300	Because it’s Panini…and a Black Friday at that. Highly undesirable. __________________ “Mr. Phillips found old Johnny Cash and he was high High before he ever took those pills and he's still too proud to die Mr. Phillips never said anything behind nobody's back Like, "Dammit Elvis, don't he know, he ain't no Johnny Cash" Last edited by Noles939913; 01-31-2026 at 02:18 PM.

01-31-2026, 02:26 PM	#4
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 91,219 ThoseBackPages	Familiarity also plays into it. Having said that i am in the PSA 10 Tax is the R word camp. __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

01-31-2026, 02:32 PM	#5
Archangel1775 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cali baby! Posts: 22,149	For the same reason a Mercedes Benz is worth more than Fiat. For the same reason Coca-Cola is more popular than RC Cola For the same reason McDonalds is more popular than McDowell's. __________________ *There are the intangibles that set someone apart from the pack.So the blur isn't your inability to see his greatness, it's merely the inability to measure it.* Last edited by Archangel1775; 01-31-2026 at 02:39 PM.

01-31-2026, 03:59 PM	#17
oldgoldy97 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 53,495	It’s a popularity contest. __________________ Truly riveting discussion: that’s what your wife/girlfriend/sheep said.

01-31-2026, 02:39 PM	#6
mfw13 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 18,096	I'm wondering why collectors place value on the opinions of "graders" whose training and qualifications they know nothing about. I'm wondering why collectors place such high value on differences in condition that in many cases are not even visible to the naked eye. For me, there's no functional difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10, especially since I have no idea who is doing the grading and what their qualifications/skills are. We've seen plenty of cards in PSA 10 slabs over the years that should actually be 9's or even 8's..... Last edited by mfw13; 01-31-2026 at 02:41 PM.

01-31-2026, 02:40 PM	#7
hermanotarjeta Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 23,680	Panini card - unlicensed, haphazard promo pack distribution, only 500 people want that card, only half care about the grade. Heritage high card - licensed, iconic, nationally released, 500,000 people want that card, many love the grade. It’s all simple supply versus demand.

01-31-2026, 03:00 PM	#13
JUNKWAX Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: TEXAS Posts: 723	Rarity does not always make something more valuable. Demand does. There are many of the same examples when it comes to Griffey.

01-31-2026, 05:35 PM	#20
boxbuster7 Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 13,487 boxbuster777	topps... __________________ Psa 9 > psa 10

01-31-2026, 06:42 PM	#21
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 64,840 ohiosundevils	No one on the planet cares about a Panini Black Friday That was easy __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”