Is this company legit I never heard of them?

[smithc97]

I just picked up this 1951 Bowman Mantle card...its graded, but I have
never heard of this grading service...Is this company legit..or fake.

[krunchtyme]

@smithc97

The history of graded cards is actually pretty cool and starts in the early 90's, only at card shows and mainly on the West Coast. In the beginning there wasn't "third party" grading. The card seller was also the grader. Since the early 90's card grading has evolved and now the grading companies are not necessarily the individuals selling the cards. This brings in a standard and the third party grader, which enhances the legitimacy of the card. Don't get me wrong...all cards, even of the same grade, are not equal, but it gives you a really good starting point on the condition, legitimacy and price point of the card.

So, there have been at least 20 grading card companies that popped up in the late 90's. Some were individuals who actually ran small businesses out of their houses and really had no grading expertise. I actually have a card in a slab that is held together with metal rivets, graded a 10 by the way! It was strictly a for themselves profit thing. I think I remember the company but, as far as the grade and if the company is real...I wouldn't put any real bank on that.

The slab looks like one of the old PSA slabs (including their red border on the label) of cards that were "slabbed" in the late 90's. The card may be legit, but as for as the grade or the company, I would just consider the card as in a holder. The grade and company does not give it any additional value or legitimacy as a real card, or non-altered card, etc....

I can't find any reference to the company directly on-line, can't find any of their items on eBay, didn't find any reference to them on SCF, didn't see any reference to them in the PSA Collector's corner website, didn't find them on any other site either...so I'm am leaning to a real company???....maybe for a short time in the late 90's, but most likely someone who slabbed a card for profit in the early days. Like I said, I would just consider it a card in a holder, it has no additional significance because of the slab it is in.

The only way to know for sure if the card is legit...send it in to one of the big three or at least a company that has a website and some sort of pedigree.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help or give you a more definitive answer.

If you want help sending it into PSA, please contact myself or @Joshmets31 and we will see what we can do.

Thanks RIch

[krunchtyme]

@smithc97

Here is an example of a card I bought on eBay in the late 90's. It is obviously a fake grading company

[doniceage]

Here is a list of a ton of grading companies a person compiled a long time ago. I do not see yours.

Many are out of business

AAA
AAI ( American Authentication Inc)
ADVANCEDGRADING.COM
AGS (Advanced Grading Specialists)
ALL STAR GRADING
ASA (Accugrade Sportscard Authentication)
ASGC (All Star Grading Company)
BCCG (Beckett Collectors Club Grading)
BCG
BEARSTATS GRADING SERVICES
BGS (Beckett Grading Service)
BGUM (Beckett Game Used Memoabilia)
Blue Chip
BRG (Best Rate Grading)
BSVA
BVG (Beckett Vintage Grading
Capital Grading
CCS (Card Collector Services)
CEX (Certified Express)
CGA (Card Grading Authenticators)
CGS (Champs Grading Service)
CLG
Compugrade
CPG (Certified Pro Grading)
CSA (Certified Sports Authentication)
CSC (Sports Card Grading Service)
CSG
CTA
EGS (Express Grading Service)
FGA
FGS (Finest Grading Service)
GAI (Global Authentication Inc.) (Bankrupt)
GAI (Global Authority Inc) (new owners of GAI)
GEM
GEM Elite
GEM-Sports
GGI (Gem Grading Inc.)
GGS (Gem Grading Services)
GMA
GRA
GRADEMYCARDS.COM
GRADING UNLIMITED
IGX
IKON
ISA
KSA (Kressler Sports Authentication)
MAJOR LEAGUE GRADING
MAP (Screw Down Holder)
MGS (Masters Grading Services)
MGS (Mint Grading Service)
NASA (North American Sportscard Authentication)
PCCG (Pro's Choice Card Graders)
PCG (Professional Card Graders)
PGA (Professional Grading Authority)
PGC (Premier Grading Certification)
PGC (Premier Grading Company -same as above?)
PGC (Pro Grade Certified)
PGI
PGS (Professional Grading Service)
PRE-Grading Service (uses screwdowns)
Premium Sports Grading
PRO (Pro Sports Grading)
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
PSA (Pacific Sports Authority)
PSG (Pristine Sportscard Grading)
PTG
RGA
SBC (Superlative Baseball Card Certification)
SCD Sports Collectors Digest (SCD) folded and was sold to Sports Card Direct (SCD)
SGC (Sportscard Guaranty)
SNAGGLETOOTH
SPA (Authenticated)
Sportscard Grading Association
STADIUM CLUB GRADING
SWG (Southwest Card Grading)
TCG
TFA (The Final Authority)
TGA
UGS
USA (Ultimate Sportscard Authority)
Verisleeve (Sticker on Card Saver)
VGR (Venture 21)
VGS
VSA
VSG Vanguard
WCG (World Class Grading)

Let us know what you find out.


Best thing in my opinion would be to get a a common from the same set and compare it. Size, texture, pixels, etc. That will help you in giving. you a better idea if it legit or not if you decide not to send it in for grading.

The biggest thing that going to determine if the card is real is what did you pay for it?

DON

[krunchtyme]

Nice list!!!!!! That is awesome!!!

[doniceage]

Nice list!!!!!! That is awesome!!!

Enjoy it!

Don

[smithc97]

i only paid 50 bucks for it...i dont think the guy realized what he had.

[doniceage]

i only paid 50 bucks for it...i dont think the guy realized what he had.

I do not think anyone can say as they were not in the situation to gauge if the person was in the know. I just know I seen a lot of people get taken by assuming they were getting a great deal. I wish you luck in finding out if it legit.

DON

[jplcom]

i only paid 50 bucks for it...i dont think the guy realized what he had.

Unfortunately I suspect he probably knew exactly what he had. I saw a '51 Mantle go on ebay for $1,000 and it was previously glued to a book, lots of damage on the back. Other people are selling ones where they openly question its authenticity in their own auction and still get $200 (similar looking case btw).

It's worth cracking out of the case and sending into Beckett or PSA. If it does come back graded as a 4, you'll have made a substantial amount on a $50 investment.

[krunchtyme]

@smithc97

Wow!!! $50 If you get a chance, would you mind posting another front and back photo?