Difference between the grades?

[Mires]

I only have a few graded cards but I can't tell the difference between a PSA 8 or a PSA 9. I've never seen a graded card higher than a 9, but I can't really see any flaws in the 2 I'm comparing. I don't see how they can get much better. The 2 I'm comparing are graded Maravich's from the 70's, so maybe them being old has something to do with it?

What about new cards with grades from 8-10? Is the 10 that much better or are the flaws with the 8 barely noticeable?

[tarheelsnipe]

Here is a link to the PSA grading criteria.

http://www.psacard.com/services/psa_...tandards.chtml

The difference between an 8 and 9 could be several things. Some examples are left to right or top to bottom centering, a soft or frayed corner that's barely visible to the eye, wax coating not evenly laid across the surface of the card, or fisheyes in the ink.

[Mires]

Thanks for the link. I've read PSA's and BGS's standards before. I was looking for opinions on a more personal level. Sure, I bet I could find a flaw under scrutiny, like under a magnifying glass, but who does that?

Like I said, I only have 2 PSA graded cards and 1 BGS raw graded card but they look perfect to me, under the naked eye. I'm wondering how many out there are like me? I've read replies from people who wont buy graded cards, so I assume there are a few.

[drtom2005]

Thanks for the link. I've read PSA's and BGS's standards before. I was looking for opinions on a more personal level. Sure, I bet I could find a flaw under scrutiny, like under a magnifying glass, but who does that?

Like I said, I only have 2 PSA graded cards and 1 BGS raw graded card but they look perfect to me, under the naked eye. I'm wondering how many out there are like me? I've read replies from people who wont buy graded cards, so I assume there are a few.

I am one of the people who will not buy graded cards. BGS standards have changed in the last year. Grading is subjective. I find it interesting that so many people trust a company to grade their cards that also tells them the value. Conflict of interest???? I am not too sure of PSA though. Higher grades tend to make people come back for more grading.

[Mires]

I am one of the people who will not buy graded cards. BGS standards have changed in the last year. Grading is subjective. I find it interesting that so many people trust a company to grade their cards that also tells them the value. Conflict of interest???? I am not too sure of PSA though. Higher grades tend to make people come back for more grading.

I just started back collecting very recently after being away since the mid 90's, and I've got my old collection still in pages. I was young then and was always moving them around which bent and frayed edges and corners. None of them were/are really worth anything so it doesn't matter too much. Now that I've started collecting again, and buying cards that are actually worth a little bit of money, I buy graded to insure that I'm not buying somebody else's old worn out collection. That's the only reason why I buy them. I see raw cards from the 70s, 80s, and 90,s that are listed as NM/MT on Ebay, but you really can't trust the sellers judgment.

I'm starting to see that the difference in the really high grades (9-10) isn't big enough to hinder my enjoyment, which is good, because it seems like this range is where all the controversy lies.

[drtom2005]

I just started back collecting very recently after being away since the mid 90's, and I've got my old collection still in pages. I was young then and was always moving them around which bent and frayed edges and corners. None of them were/are really worth anything so it doesn't matter too much. Now that I've started collecting again, and buying cards that are actually worth a little bit of money, I buy graded to insure that I'm not buying somebody else's old worn out collection. That's the only reason why I buy them. I see raw cards from the 70s, 80s, and 90,s that are listed as NM/MT on Ebay, but you really can't trust the sellers judgment.

I'm starting to see that the difference in the really high grades (9-10) isn't big enough to hinder my enjoyment, which is good, because it seems like this range is where all the controversy lies.

Well I do not collect vintage/older set right now. If I started collecting the 86-87 fleer set, I would probably give in. Too many fakes. I wish people would spend money on making sure that the cards are real. Part of the reason I love refractor/parallel sets is they are more time intensive to fake. They are much more likely to be real.