How do you grade centering?

**Tobey** · 01-10-2006, 02:15 PM

Sounds like a simple question, but on some cards it's tough to judge what exactly is the measuring edge. For example, if you were to grade the centering on this card (top to bottom centering):

http://i22.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/03/e4/a4_1_b.JPG

Would you measure the outer edge to inner border (top and bottom) or would you measure outer edge to inner boarder (on the top) and outer edge to to lower edge of the QB bubble (on the bottom)?

I have always wondered this and I can't seem to find any opinions.

**LakersMC** · 01-14-2006, 04:30 PM

Hmm. You are right. It seems like a simple question, but it is not (depending on the card).

The top is easy: edge of card to border.
The bottom is the judgment call: Maybe edge of card to the midpoint of the bubble & border. (i.e. the average) Otherwise it would seem to be "off balance".

Let's see if others have opinions...

**gottagitdemjs** · 01-15-2006, 03:25 AM

That card in the picture is offcentered both left to right and top to bottom. It's cut thin on the top and left sides, but yeah, with indefinite borders it's hard to tell.

**rayny1** · 01-15-2006, 10:35 AM

That card is off centered like the above reply states. I wouldn`t give it anything higher than an 8/8.5/88-92.

I purchased a nifty little card grader a few years ago. I don`t bother with graded cards much nor do I send cards in to be graded but this would/could come in handy if I did. Didn`t scan very well, but it`s a simple piece of plastic you just put over the card.