[jplarson]

I recently picked up a 1999 Topps Finest Gold Refractor Champ Bailey with a PSA 5. I knew full well it was graded weak but I couldn't tell at first glance what may have lead to a drop. I figured with the peel still on that there were some problems with that.

I've got the card in hand now and it's quite handsome. I can see on the front near Bailey and Redskins where the peel is coming up.



I'm not super concerned about that. I peel all my Finest cards before subbing so I would crack, peel, and submit. However on the back I did see some indentions on the surface. From scans it can be seen but holding it at an angle shows something akin to finger nail indents:





Towards the top left another straight indention like you might find if the card were in a 9-card sleeve and resting on a small bit of the binder with too much weight on top:



Assuming after peeling the card there are no surface defects, I'm curious what people think this card may receive for a surface grade with the imperfections on the back. Personally I'd be willing to submit for grading if I figured the overall grade came back with a 7, figuring the surface subgrade at worst would be a 6 and the rest 9.5s or better.

[phinzphan1372]

I never thought about that..... do they actually grade the film? .... or is that grade because of the 3 scratches you pointed out. I honestly don't know if the film affects the grade or not or what the grade would be if the film was peeled off.... lol


Very nice card by the way!

[jplarson]

I never thought about that..... do they actually grade the film? ....

I know Beckett grades the film which is typically why surface grades suffer when the peel is left on, since Topps intended for them to be peeled thus not a ton of focus was put on surface quality. I figured PSA graded the front poorly because of the peel but I'm not sure how much weight was put into the back.

Also thanks!

[savagenate]

I always assumed surface was graded by the front of the card, in which case you'd be good. But maybe I just never thought about the backs as I never look at them lol.

[hempick]

Interesting.

I kind of wish that the protective coatings/peels would have become more commonplace in the hobby. I really thought it was a great idea.

That said, I never used to take the peel off of any of mine anyway. (Except for Mystery Finest cards because you'd have no idea what you had otherwise!)