This is a 9.5 "Gem Mint" Gretzky Rookie???

[jmatchett]

Came across this post this morning for a 9.5 Gretzky OPC RC:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-O-Pee-C...3D360842370625

Firstly, I'm not familiar with the grading service. That said, this has possible the roughest edges I've ever seen on a card. I have 3 Gretzky OPC RCs (the best is maybe a 6) and all 3 of them have much sharper edges than this. I understand that the centering is nice and there's no printing imperfections, but to me, a 9.5 "Gem Mint" card should have much cleaner edges.

/end rant

[habsmtl09]

not graded from a reputable company! sure not a beckett or PSA 9.5

[30ranfordfan]

never heard of that grading company.

Everything but the edges looks nice. I could see it getting high scores on the rest, but you're right: No way that should be a 9.5

[Craig2]

My first thought is to wonder why someone would submit a possible high-grading Gretzky rookie to a company that isn't BGS or PSA. I know that neither of those two are perfect, but they certainly have the greatest brand recognition in the hobby. If you do some quick research, you'll also find that GAI has had their share of serious problems in the past, whether it be with grading trimmed cards or doing what you see here, which is over-grading a card with obvious flaws.

Seeing a cards like this with a gem mint grade is not likely to help a company's reputation, and hopefully no hobbyists are sucker enough to overpay for the card based simply on seeing the "9.5" on the case.

[michaelpatko]

Probably sent it to GAI for exactly that reason. This would never grade that high from Beckett or PSA

[87sluggo]

Global Authentics was discredited a lonnnnggg time ago after authenticating fake signatures, I'm "proud" to say I own a probably-fake Muhammad Ali auto slabbed up by them.

That said, 70's and 80's OPC are famous for rough edges. That was just the way they got put into the packs from the paper-cutters. At least you know the card isn't trimmed :D

[centrehice]

Probstein has more graded hockey cards than anyone on Earth for sale. He probably has more than all other sellers combined. His supply seems unlimited, and he overcharges on everything.

The fact that this grading company is unheard of, plays into the hands of the sap, not the educated hockey card customer.

[centrehice]

Global Authentics was discredited a lonnnnggg time ago after authenticating fake signatures, I'm "proud" to say I own a probably-fake Muhammad Ali auto slabbed up by them.

That said, 70's and 80's OPC are famous for rough edges. That was just the way they got put into the packs from the paper-cutters. At least you know the card isn't trimmed :D

Ed:

OPC cards were "Wire-Cut" not blade cut like most paper is cut. This is why you see edges. The cards entrails are pulled out of the edges as the wire passed through them, causing fuzziness, whitening, etc.

[87sluggo]

Ed:

OPC cards were "Wire-Cut" not blade cut like most paper is cut. This is why you see edges. The cards entrails are pulled out of the edges as the wire passed through them, causing fuzziness, whitening, etc.

Yes, wire-cut! I couldn't remember the correct term, thanks.

GAI isn't unheard of, they used to be huge. They got burned by authenticating forgeries and autopens and faded awayyyyyyyyy............

[centrehice]

I know GAI graded a ton of cards, but an unknowing buyer does not know their history. He sees 9.5 out of 10, and he sees the whopping 15K price tag, and says to himself; "Wow, I can own the best Gretzky card in the World"

When in all actuality, he is purchasing a Beckett or PSA 8.5 Gretzky.