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Conditional Grading
#1

Conditional Grading
What's the best way to learn how to "Conditionally Grade" your cards?

Is there an online resource which may show common card defects and/or how to "home grade" your cards?

An online video, perhaps hosted at this site, would be useful.

THANKS.
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#2

RE: Conditional Grading
I really enjoyed your other post.

I used to know of a dealer who posted reference photos for their card grading guidelines, which was very helpful visually. Unfortunately I cannot recall the dealer and could not find anything in my brief web search.

Easiest defects to spot are miscut, creased, warped, wax and gum stained cards, but if you have say a 1969 Mantle with any of these flaws, it's still worth some money.

If you have one, a halogen light is a great way to find less obvious defects like hairline creases or other imperfections. 55 watts is supposed to provide the right balance of lighting for this purpose.

Once I've done this, I look at the corners. Personally, since I grade a lot of cards, I use a 10x loupe, but good vision or a pair of good glasses if you need them will work if you're not submitting for grading. Other graded cards, OF THE SAME YEAR (very important) provide good reference. A good hi res picture of cards posted on ebay could be helpful, especially if it has ebay zoom capability so you can see the corner condition more closely.

Centering is important, the closer to being evenly centered top to bottom and side to side, the better the grade.

I agree, it's pretty complicated compared to the old days of 10 cent packs, but I hope that helps some.

----------------------------------
I forgot to include one basic piece of information . . . familiarize yourself with grading standards, Beckett is as good as any when you're starting out http://www.beckett.com/estore/helpsys/vi...ticleId=47
Twitter: @Coimbre21 - Collecting Carl Yastrzemski Topps, Jimmie Foxx, 1966 Topps Venezuelan, 2010 Topps Tribute HOF Relics & Autos, L.A. Rams Autos

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#3

RE: Conditional Grading
THANKS.

I am holding in my hand a Beckett's "Baseball Price Guide #2" from 1980.

Only THREE GRADES then: MINT --- VG-E --- F-G

Here's the 1980 Book Value's for Topps Mickey Mantle, years 1952-1969:

1952 -- 2500/1800/700
1953 -- 150/ 100/40
1954 -- na
1955 -- na
1956 -- 40/30/12
1957 -- 30/24/10
1958 -- 23/18/8
1959 -- 16/12/5
1960 -- 14/11/5
1961 -- 13/10/5
1962 -- 12/10/5
1963 -- 17/13/5
1964 -- 10/7.50/3.50
1965 -- 9/7.50/3.50
1966 -- 8.50/6.50/3
1967 -- 8/6/3
1968 -- 7/5/2.50
1969 -- 8/6.50/2.50

Should'a completed my sets then!!

Of course... And this is taken from the same Beckett's p23:

"Baseball cards have no intrinsic value. They are functionally worthless as are cancelled stamps, knick knacks, empty beer cans, the Mona Lisa and pearl earrings. The value of a baseball card, as the value of these other collectables, can only be assessed by you and your enjoyment in viewing and possessing these cardboard swatches."

.... hummmmm!


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#4

RE: Conditional Grading
"They are functionally worthless as are empty beer cans."

At least, they can be recycled like tin cans. If not recycled, they are at least biodegradable. At times, I feel guilty because we collect cardboard and paper comes from trees and we are responsible to some of the deforestation of our environment. I know reforestation and I know we can recycle paper products and still make some high quality paper from them. But sometimes, I feel some guilt.
[Image: 755bd9c1.jpg]
I will miss you bbills1999
Where are you XstreamInsanity/Jason?
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#5
Smile 
RE: Conditional Grading
(03-15-2012, 07:35 AM)JeffreyQ Wrote: THANKS.

I am holding in my hand a Beckett's "Baseball Price Guide #2" from 1980.

Only THREE GRADES then: MINT --- VG-E --- F-G

Here's the 1980 Book Value's for Topps Mickey Mantle, years 1952-1969:

1952 -- 2500/1800/700
1953 -- 150/ 100/40
1954 -- na
1955 -- na
1956 -- 40/30/12
1957 -- 30/24/10
1958 -- 23/18/8
1959 -- 16/12/5
1960 -- 14/11/5
1961 -- 13/10/5
1962 -- 12/10/5
1963 -- 17/13/5
1964 -- 10/7.50/3.50
1965 -- 9/7.50/3.50
1966 -- 8.50/6.50/3
1967 -- 8/6/3
1968 -- 7/5/2.50
1969 -- 8/6.50/2.50

Should'a completed my sets then!!

Of course... And this is taken from the same Beckett's p23:

"Baseball cards have no intrinsic value. They are functionally worthless as are cancelled stamps, knick knacks, empty beer cans, the Mona Lisa and pearl earrings. The value of a baseball card, as the value of these other collectables, can only be assessed by you and your enjoyment in viewing and possessing these cardboard swatches."

.... hummmmm!
If I think about it too much (and I have many times in the past) the fact that they are pieces of cardboard has made me stop and think, considering how much money I've put into them over my lifetime. But if you follow financial markets, gold prices fluctuate around $1700 an ounce as a commonly traded investment. There are some professional investors though that feel gold too has no intrinsic value. So the obvious connection is Baseball Cards=Gold, at least that what I keep telling myself.
Twitter: @Coimbre21 - Collecting Carl Yastrzemski Topps, Jimmie Foxx, 1966 Topps Venezuelan, 2010 Topps Tribute HOF Relics & Autos, L.A. Rams Autos

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#6

RE: Conditional Grading
"There are some professional investors though that feel gold too has no intrinsic value. So the obvious connection is Baseball Cards = Gold, at least that is what I keep telling myself."

Nice thought. Smile What do you invest with? Do you just collect cards and never sell any? If you sell, why do you sell cards? What do you do with the money?
[Image: 755bd9c1.jpg]
I will miss you bbills1999
Where are you XstreamInsanity/Jason?
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#7

RE: Conditional Grading
(03-15-2012, 10:42 PM)filamuraireborn Wrote: "There are some professional investors though that feel gold too has no intrinsic value. So the obvious connection is Baseball Cards = Gold, at least that is what I keep telling myself."

Nice thought. Smile What do you invest with? Do you just collect cards and never sell any? If you sell, why do you sell cards? What do you do with the money?
I used to have a fairly good budget for cards but now I have a family, so I have to keep my priorities in line. I've sold a number of cards over the past couple of years to fund my budget, usually doubles and other cards that aren't essential to the sets or players I collect. If I could, I would collect and keep everything though Smile
Twitter: @Coimbre21 - Collecting Carl Yastrzemski Topps, Jimmie Foxx, 1966 Topps Venezuelan, 2010 Topps Tribute HOF Relics & Autos, L.A. Rams Autos

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#8

RE: Conditional Grading
(03-15-2012, 07:35 AM)JeffreyQ Wrote: "Baseball cards have no intrinsic value. They are functionally worthless as are cancelled stamps, knick knacks, empty beer cans, the Mona Lisa and pearl earrings. The value of a baseball card, as the value of these other collectables, can only be assessed by you and your enjoyment in viewing and possessing these cardboard swatches."
Great quote! Every collector needs to read something like this once in a while to keep perspective.

JonathanI
I appreciate Chicago players that begin competing within the city's sports organizations and stay with these teams throughout their careers.
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#9

RE: Conditional Grading
(03-15-2012, 10:23 AM)filamuraireborn Wrote: At times, I feel guilty because we collect cardboard and paper comes from trees and we are responsible to some of the deforestation of our environment.
You should feel guilty! Now mail me all your cards so I can properly recycle them for you. I know I will feel much better! 8D

Quote:Beckett's p23:

"Baseball cards have no intrinsic value. They are functionally worthless..."
LOL... that "Beckett's company will never make it" Wink

Back to the topic of this thread... I appreciate everyones input. I think this was a great question and I'm looking forward to learning more about grading myself.
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