Help with value for a PSA card with qualifier

[JayT_59]

Hey guys, I just got my PSA submission back and got a Mint 9 with a (ST) Qualifier on a Mark Messier 1980 OPC RC.

Messier PSA 9's sell well into the $300's, what are people's thoughts on this PSA 9 with the Qualifier?

Thanks for the input.







Here's the back of the card before submission.

[Gallinator]

I'm not seeing the staining - is it on the back? How large of an area is stained?

[JayT_59]

I never noticed the stain either until I was preparing the submission. It is in the middle of the front of the card and can only be seen with light shining on it at the right angle. In the slab you can't see it. It's directly over the oilers logo on messiers jersey.

PSA 9s have sold on ebay between 310 and 360.

The qualifier in this case does not detract from the visual appeal of the card except for the qualifier itself. I am thinking $250 to $275 is fair value. Does that seem right?

[Fred Bear]

In terms of the PSA registry, a qualified card is -2 grades, i.e. PSA 9 (ST) = PSA 7. Does that mean that you will only be able to sell it for what a PSA 7 gets? Not at all. That's the most that a PSA registry hound will pay, though. Qualified cards are just not as attractive to a lot of collectors.

[JayT_59]

In terms of the PSA registry, a qualified card is -2 grades, i.e. PSA 9 (ST) = PSA 7. Does that mean that you will only be able to sell it for what a PSA 7 gets? Not at all. That's the most that a PSA registry hound will pay, though. Qualified cards are just not as attractive to a lot of collectors.

Thanks Fred, I did not realize this about the registry. It makes sense that registry collector's will only pay the same amount for a PSA 9Q as a PSA 7 if their goal is to upgrade their registered sets.

Is the PSA registry popular at all? I ask because I only hang out here on SCF and I have never heard of anyone here speak of building PSA registered sets. Different crowd perhaps. Graded vintage seems to be a very tight niche of the hobby that isn't very prevalent... on this forum at least.

[centrehice]

I would bust it out of the case and sell it raw if the qualifier makes it drop -2 or more points. Unless you plan on passing it on to a family member, like a child. That's a very nice card you have there.

[JayT_59]

I will be holding on to it for now. PSA 9's go for $300+, 7's for $60-80. I would guess it would sell for somewhere in the middle closer to $100 than $300.. I bought it for $80 so I think I at least broke even on it. I might even get more for it raw like centrehice said to do. A raw Sittler rookie in nice shape sold for $125 and they book the same. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now it sits nicely in my Team Canada PC.

When I saw it in the LCS I made the rookie mistake of taking the jeweler's loop to the corners and edges but neglected to check out the surfaces. :/

[Fred Bear]

PSA Registry collectors are a different breed... Every collector has their own tendencies and they are no different. 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee isn't the biggest 'registry' set, stuff like 54-55 Topps, 51-52 Parkhurst, C55, Quaker, those are sets that get guys into competition for 'best'... There are a lot of HOF RC collectors, though, and your Messier is a great example of a HOF RC in outstanding condition, qualified or not. While it's graded as a qualified 9 (7 to a registry collector), I think your estimate of value is pretty spot on. In fact, I think you could get north of $100 pretty easily.

[JayT_59]

There's a PSA 9 OC on ebay at the moment for 159.99 OBO. Brings up the question:

What's the general consensus about the different PSA Qualifiers and if buyers respond differently to one Qualifier over another?

The flaw in a PSA 9 OC can be easily seen with a quick glance and so the visual appeal is lower than say this example of a PSA 9 ST with an almost invisible stain on the front with a greater visual appeal. Does history suggest that different qualifiers detract more from market value than others?

Also, does the degree of the same Qualifier make any difference in purchase prices?

Say there is a PSA 9 OC that is 75/25 and a PSA 9 OC that is 90/10, will the 75/25 with a lesser degree of OC sell more than the 90/10?

Or does the variety and degree of Qualifiers make no difference to buyers and the strictly the fact that a Qualifier is on a card is the main detractor of appeal and final sales prices.

Any thoughts?

[Fred Bear]

There's a PSA 9 OC on ebay at the moment for 159.99 OBO. Brings up the question:

What's the general consensus about the different PSA Qualifiers and if buyers respond differently to one Qualifier over another?

The flaw in a PSA 9 OC can be easily seen with a quick glance and so the visual appeal is lower than say this example of a PSA 9 ST with an almost invisible stain on the front with a greater visual appeal. Does history suggest that different qualifiers detract more from market value than others?

Also, does the degree of the same Qualifier make any difference in purchase prices?

Say there is a PSA 9 OC that is 75/25 and a PSA 9 OC that is 90/10, will the 75/25 with a lesser degree of OC sell more than the 90/10?

Or does the variety and degree of Qualifiers make no difference to buyers and the strictly the fact that a Qualifier is on a card is the main detractor of appeal and final sales prices.

Any thoughts?

You raise a really good point.

I don't have any data on whether one qualifier is 'better' than another, but when you hit a certain point, collectors will certainly discuss 'over-' and 'under-graded' cards based on what a card looks like. You'll even get certain collectors who will buy on the assumption that they are going to crack it out of the case and have it re-graded by PSA or send it to another grader.

From the scans, your Messier is in great shape and looks wonderful. Some collectors may be turned off by the 9 (ST), but others won't bat an eye (especially looking at your back scan).

Do you know where the stain is? Can you point it out?