Is there anyone here with a good knowledge on sports card grading?

[thirdgreenham]

I'm hoping someone can PM me, if they have any thoughts or suggestions. Posting here is fine too.

 

From a dealer's or seller's viewpoint, I would like to know if PSA is generally better than Beckett grading, or visa versa. Is one better for vintage hockey and another for vintage baseball?

 

Is there a recommended auction house for baseball cards and another for hockey, or just eBay?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Andy

[Kahnadah]

I'm hoping someone can PM me, if they have any thoughts or suggestions. Posting here is fine too.

 

From a dealer's or seller's viewpoint, I would like to know if PSA is generally better than Beckett grading, or visa versa. Is one better for vintage hockey and another for vintage baseball?

 

Is there a recommended auction house for baseball cards and another for hockey, or just eBay?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Andy

It's been a while since I did cards but I remember it being: Beckett, Beckett Vintage (BVG), PSA, KSA and then everyone else. Beckett had the rep that CGC had, very tough on grading and getting a 9.8 was rare as hen's teeth. I think it's loosened up a bit tho.

 

James

 

*Edit* Selling is usually best through eBay or one of the specialist trading/selling sites. Classic Auctions (.net) is another good site. Last year they auctioned off a huge pre-WW2 card collection and got a packet for it. All PSA graded, if I remember correctly. They still have some up.

[thirdgreenham]

Hey! Thanks so much for the reply. All noted.

[elove]

Depends on what you're planning to do with your cards. These are based on my opinions and experiences. If you're planning on selling, PSA is the company will give you the highest return. Beckett will give you the highest return for gaming cards. If you are collecting, I think SGC is the way to go. They have the tightest grading and I like the look of the cards in their slabs better than everyone else. And the prices of SGC cards on eBay have increased quite a bit in the last few years.

 

I don't know of too many people who use Beckett anymore. All I hear about them is the poor customer service.

[halbert]

For modern cards, BGS is what you want to use for grading.

 

For vintage, PSA is what you want to use for grading. SGC is also perfectly acceptable, but PSA yields higher returns on average.

 

This holds true across all the sports

 

Edit: Someone mentioned KSA? Don't use them. Never heard of them and they are not around and no one will be interested in anything in a KSA holder.

 

BVG is Beckett for Vintage. Personally, I'd rank this 3rd behind PSA and SGC

[thirdgreenham]

Wow, thanks everyone!

 

KSA is a Canadian card grading company that used to be a bit looser with grading, apparently. I have heard that a few years ago, the company changed hands and the grading is now better. To be honest, they were not on my list to send to.

 

These would be vintage sports cards, and my purpose would be to sell them. It sounds like PSA is the way to go. Someone did mention to me that SGC is great for pre-war cards.

 

Andy

[byosti]

seems I got out of that hobby little too early- older cards have skyrocketed last few years. but generally PSA and BGS are the best 2 but at the highest end of the grade spectrum, if you feel you have a shot at a 10, BGS 10 would return more than a PSA 10 from what I've seen. A 9.5 with a couple 10 subgrades could be on par too.

[IntoAnother]

Do any of the card grading companies stand out as the leader for legitimate signed cards? Specifically a NBA players card if that were to make a difference.

[halbert]

These would be vintage sports cards, and my purpose would be to sell them. It sounds like PSA is the way to go. Someone did mention to me that SGC is great for pre-war cards.

 

PSA is the winner then. And yes, SGC is great for pre-war. Can't go wrong with either.

 

seems I got out of that hobby little too early- older cards have skyrocketed last few years. but generally PSA and BGS are the best 2 but at the highest end of the grade spectrum, if you feel you have a shot at a 10, BGS 10 would return more than a PSA 10 from what I've seen. A 9.5 with a couple 10 subgrades could be on par too.

 

Vintage of super stars are doing fine.

 

The part about getting a BGS 10 is true for modern. But a 10 would be very hard to find for 60's or before. Stick to PSA

 

Do any of the card grading companies stand out as the leader for legitimate signed cards? Specifically a NBA players card if that were to make a difference.

 

If you are looking for a company to authenticate an autograph or item, PSA/DNA and/or JSA is what you want to use.

[thirdgreenham]

 

Thanks!

[reddog4063]

PSA is the better choice for vintage cards and Beckett is better for the modern stuff.

[Awax]

Do any of the card grading companies stand out as the leader for legitimate signed cards? Specifically a NBA players card if that were to make a difference.

 

You are getting closer... good. Good.

[IntoAnother]

Do any of the card grading companies stand out as the leader for legitimate signed cards? Specifically a NBA players card if that were to make a difference.

 

You are getting closer... good. Good.

 

 

I only want a nice looking signed Larry Bird card. Luckily I don't have a real history with card collecting so I'm not too concerned about buying any past the one. Hopefully one day I'll have the opportunity to get a Signature Series Larry Bird signed magazine.

[CycloneComics]

Wow, thanks everyone!

 

KSA is a Canadian card grading company that used to be a bit looser with grading, apparently. I have heard that a few years ago, the company changed hands and the grading is now better. To be honest, they were not on my list to send to

 

Andy

 

I know someone who had a bunch of cards graded by KSA ...he was going to send them to a big auction house in the USA...they said that they would have to be sent to another company to be regraded before they would accept them

[CycloneComics]

Platinum promotions which is the Canadian rep for PSA will be at the sportscard expo this weekend at the international center...so take a trip down Andy and drop the cards off and save shipping

Maybe I will see you there

[comicwiz]

For vintage, PSA is what you want to use for grading.... PSA yields higher returns on average.

 

This is for the most part true. It really depends on whether you are buying or selling.

 

I appraised a Wayne Gretzky RC that was BVG graded a 9. A PSA 9 of the card was in the $26-$30K range at that time. A BVG 9, in nearly every circumstance, had perfect centering and could be cracked out and regrade a 9.5 with PSA. The opposite could not be said, as many of the PSA 9's in my opinion had no business being 9's.

 

What this means on this particular sports card is that the remaining population of BVG 9's are being bought, cracked out, and resubbed to PSA for a grade bump, and because PSA's yield better, even though Beckett is the stricter grader of the two.

 

As a buyer, be very careful to scrutinize the characteristics of a card that has been graded by PSA. With Beckett, you're in much better hands with their final assigned grade.

[ADAMANTIUM]

WHY do I have the feeling I shouldn't have sold my nolan rookie, or haggled more (or at all)

 

BVG 5.0 sold it for 300 he looks it up says it's worth 500 he'd give me half but since it's nolan ryan he'll bump up to 300

 

Oh did I feel special, he's cutting me a deal, I'll get "exactly" what I paid for it 2-3 yrs ago, I won't have to go through ebay nonsense....

 

the short of it is: don't have sellers remorse

 

---the bitter adamantium arrgh

[Junkdrawer]

I'm hoping someone can PM me, if they have any thoughts or suggestions. Posting here is fine too.

 

From a dealer's or seller's viewpoint, I would like to know if PSA is generally better than Beckett grading, or visa versa. Is one better for vintage hockey and another for vintage baseball?

 

Is there a recommended auction house for baseball cards and another for hockey, or just eBay?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Andy

goodwinauctions.com

1. PSA

2. SGC

 

[thirdgreenham]

Platinum promotions which is the Canadian rep for PSA will be at the sportscard expo this weekend at the international center...so take a trip down Andy and drop the cards off and save shipping

Maybe I will see you there

 

Thanks.

 

I'm there on Friday.

[thirdgreenham]

For vintage, PSA is what you want to use for grading.... PSA yields higher returns on average.

 

This is for the most part true. It really depends on whether you are buying or selling.

 

I appraised a Wayne Gretzky RC that was BVG graded a 9. A PSA 9 of the card was in the $26-$30K range at that time. A BVG 9, in nearly every circumstance, had perfect centering and could be cracked out and regrade a 9.5 with PSA. The opposite could not be said, as many of the PSA 9's in my opinion had no business being 9's.

 

What this means on this particular sports card is that the remaining population of BVG 9's are being bought, cracked out, and resubbed to PSA for a grade bump, and because PSA's yield better, even though Beckett is the stricter grader of the two.

 

As a buyer, be very careful to scrutinize the characteristics of a card that has been graded by PSA. With Beckett, you're in much better hands with their final assigned grade.

 

Good to know, thanks.