Do Card Grades Still Matter? Taking A Closer Look At The Relevance of Card Grading In The Hobby!!

[@markstein1916]

Regarding next week's question... Interest from others in the "card community" does not impact what I choose to collect. I collect only what I like in terms of aesthetics and various players/sets. But to play Devil's advocate, I do perk up when someone else brings to light a card or player that I was previously unaware of. I recently bought a '33 Goudey Dolph Luque, based on one of Orlando's recent videos. I didn't know much about Luque until Orlando's video enlightened me. Same thing for a video he recently did on Armando Marsans (congrats on obtaining your CJ Walsh and Marsans, BTW). So while I don't copy or emulate anyone in the hobby, I do take interest in Cards/Memorabilia that I was previously unaware of. I believe most of us do this, although many won't admit it. Learning from others is just one of the great ways we discover what's out there. It's not all about Books, Catalogs and Internet searches.

[@MidLifeCards]

No doubt. Pros and cons to each.

[@Greg-x1g8t]

As a Topps hall of fame player run collector, I really don’t care about other people think about my cards. I enjoy looking at and completing a player run. But I totally enjoy watching you tube collectors collections, even though I may not want those other cards. I appreciate watching someone pickup cards like the t206 sets or the 1933/1934 Goudys, etc. Lately I have branched out into pro football Hall of Fame Rookie Cards, thanks to you! Enjoy the channel- Greg from Ohio

[@MidLifeCards]

I love vintage football cards.

[@TheDadsAreHere]

Until grades don't affect price, they will always matter. Eye appeal will always be the determining factor when picking a card in that range. You've mentioned no less that 100 times that the grade lets you know where your budget will land you. Obviously, once you know what your ceiling grade is, you then find the best eye appeal card in that price range. This is how the world works with everything. If I go to Costco and pick up a prime filet and a choice filet, I know the prices will greatly differ. If i can afford the prime filet, I then go to that area with all of the prime filets and start to look at the shape and size, color, how much fat will be cut off, how's the inner marbling look etc. compared to the other primes. Its the same concept with cards whether we agree or not.

[@vintagecollector5340]

Except we don't eat cardboard...

[@MidLifeCards]

Not usually.

[@MidLifeCards]

Fair points.

[@stevezeppieri]

Another awesome video Graig. Lots of interesting points of view on this topic. Here’s my take for this weeks question. When I like a specific card, that interest grew inside of me at a certain point in time. It could be one of my favorite players from when I was a kid. It could be someone I always wanted to collect but couldn’t afford. Whatever the case may be…but I wouldn’t suddenly gain interest in a specific card just because others are. I WILL however say this. After doing research on a specific card that I like, just knowing that there are collectors out there, much like yourself Graig that share a common interest in the same card, allows me to listen to opinions and the results of THEIR homework that can possibly affect the exact card I purchase. That’s where the influence comes into play for me. Thanks buddy.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Steve. I always appreciate your comments.

[@tonyleebrick9050]

Great video Graig. The different answers you got just showcases how many different ways you can collect. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder is a phrase that definitely rings true in card collecting. My personal answer to the question you posed this week is the following. I collect what I like. I’m not collecting with an eye to what someone might say about whatever I own. A lot of my purchases parallel what book I’m reading about what player at that time. I read Glory of Their Times and found myself wanting to buy some of those old timers cards (Joe Wood and Sam Crawford). I read the Leerhsen book about Ty Cobb and found myself wanting his cards. I got very interested in Shoeless Joe and the Blacksox scandle. I have devoured books and podcasts about that subject. So, naturally I have picked up Joe Jackson, Chick Ghandil and Eddie Cicotte cards. I’m gonna try and get the 7 Blacksox 1919 W514 strip cards. I currently have two.

[@MidLifeCards]

Good stuff. Knowing your collection, you pick up amazing stuff.

[@jasonkirkman2355]

Hey great videos as always. Your videos have opened my eyes on different views on collecting in what I feel is a good thing. With this being said leads me into this week's question. I feel that it's a mixture of both. I have looked at some cards differently because I see them from the eyes of the beholder and their prospective of that card makes me see my cards in their view. By seeing my collection in their view along with adding why I got the card combined together makes me appreciate that/those card(s) importance in one's life along with experiences. I feel stories along condition combined make up the value of the card.

[@MidLifeCards]

Stories of a card are important in my opinion as well.

[@mjcollector1million]

Grade/pop and price are correlated for me. (I collect 90s so usually looking between PSA 8-10) if a PSA 10 is 5x the cost of a PSA 8, I want the best looking PSA 8, typically where the front has no noticeable flaws. Unless the PSA 9 has a high pop count, then I’d look for a 9. If there is a small difference in price between 8 and 10, I’d look at a 10 I’m interested to see where the conversation goes next week cuz I think you already summed it up nicely. If I’m spending less than $100 (and usually under $50) I don’t care what other people think. Beyond that, it is a sliding scale. If I’m spending $2,000, it needs to be a widely popular card because it becomes an investment.

[@MidLifeCards]

They are all part of the puzzle.

[@chadholt1171]

I am very interested in the cards of players that have an interesting story. Whenever a new baseball history video comes out, or I meet a collector that PC’s a player I am not familiar with, I investigate that player. I will add him to my collection if I find the story interesting. Your videos got me interested in Graig Nettles cards. Mark Fidrych, Tony Kubek, Rick Monday, and Curt Bevacqua are a few of the other players that I collect because I enjoy the stories associated with them.

[@MidLifeCards]

I like that. Good targets.

[@manfordlee9827]

I PC Dr.J and have almost all of his cards raw, now I'm looking for them graded for me it doesn't matter what the grades are just as it looks good. it's cheaper for me to look for them already graded instead of me sending them to PSA. keep up the great work on your video

[@MidLifeCards]

Dr. J is such a great choice.

[@mikewrobel2881]

Buy the house on the busy street if you like the house and the price, and don't mind that the house is on a busy street. If you truly like it, you will live there a long time. When you go to sell it, you will get less than market comps, but you paid less than market comps. Also, the buyer will learn that you have enjoyed the house for many years and likely took good care of it. Also, your lengthy enjoyment/use is value.

[@MidLifeCards]

Certainly a lot of truth in that FOR SURE!!

[@rayfromphilly6969]

great video graig, I learned alot. totally informative.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Ray. We've gotta catch up soon.

[@justinhoyle841]

So this week's question was interesting to think about. I wanted to answer that other collectors' opinions have no influence on my collecting, but that would be untrue. Now. I will say that I collect because I love cards, and I'd never buy anything I didn't like because others thought it was cool. That said, I think a lot of collectors have a competitive streak, and I don't think there is anything wrong with being extra excited about grabbing cards that everyone acknowledges are big additions to a collection. I don't take the competitive side of the hobby too seriously. That is, I'm always thrilled for my hobby friends when they pick up big cards, and I don't spend outside my budget to keep pace with high-end collectors. But, if I'm being honest, I get pretty dang excited when I pick up a big card, and I get to show it off to other collectors on Instagram when it comes in the mail!

[@MidLifeCards]

I'm thrilled when my hobby friends get new cards, too!!

[@JayAverageVintageCollector]

Great video and two strong camps in regard to grades. For next week, I am not really influenced by what others do and what others buy. In fact, I’ve been focusing or looking hard at collecting players that fly under the radar- Duke Snider, Preacher Roe, Enos Slaughter. But there isn’t a connection between any of them. It’s not like they are all 3rd baseman. They’re not all even HOFers. But I’ve grown to appreciate what they accomplished and enjoy learning about players I really didn’t know a lot about. It’s just a smaller pool to compete with other collectors. With that being said, there were a few channels that I stopped watching because it seemed as though their collection and the way they presented it made me feel inferior. In fact, as newer vintage collector (2 years), it almost made me think I had no business belonging in it. So, seeing those types of cards in that video made me think I couldn’t collect those cards or players. Hence, the reason I have my current t collection. So, I’m a way, it did influence me. But after watching people such as yourself, I’ve learned where and how to focus on my collection and for that I thank you.

[@MidLifeCards]

Fly under the radar guys are good targets.

[@AdamJUlrey]

Love your show as for next weeks question….i collect what I like I’m never influenced by anyone’s collection…I’ll enjoy others collection but they have zero influence on my buying and purchasing…I always here Chris from Missouri in my head at all times collect what YOU like period

[@MidLifeCards]

Chris is a great ambassador of the hobby.

[@jamesmcferran4938]

Graders notes would be so very helpful! Also is there not an independent review by other graders in addition to the individual grader that graded your card? Where is the quality control with respect to these companies? They are not open to independent reviews unfortunately

[@markstein1916]

Excellent post!

[@MidLifeCards]

I think all of those questions are fair ones.

[@mikewrobel2881]

It depends. General question is good for conversation.

[@MidLifeCards]

Agreed.

[@RustyVintageCards]

For your question, I do feel like the influence of others affects my card choices. Some of this is from seeing popular cards repeatedly over time, piquing my interest as well, and often for good reason. Many of the most popular cards, including some of the hall of fame rookies, are awesome cards. I do think you have to find your own path as a collector, and “collect what you like” as I hear so many others say. If we all wanted the same cards, the bidding wars would be nuts and the unwanted cards would be worthless. I had my eyes on a ‘57 Frank Robinson, an iconic golden era rookie card, but instead I recently picked up a ‘59 at a fraction of the cost. I’m really happy adding what I feel is one of the coolest cards from that ‘59 set to my collection. The rookie will still be around if I decide I want it later.

[@vintagecollector5340]

As will the later years of Robinsons cards.

[@MidLifeCards]

And that 59 Robinson is a really great card.

[@RustyVintageCards]

@@MidLifeCards I was fortunate to find one centered.

[@larrygitlin6017]

For most of my collecting life,I have bought what I found and what I liked without influence of others . But I am a social animal and once introduced to You Tube during COVID, I for a little bit listened to the modern influencers and opened some boxes. That did not last long being a vintage collector. I then found the vintage community and quickly went back to how I have always collected. Being in the hobby so long I have owned and sold some big and rare cards and always collected in isolation. I love looking at what the community collects and it has opened my eyes to some new interesting rare cards, but because something is hot or so called iconic in the community does not really affect my collecting.

[@MidLifeCards]

I totally agree that seeing what others in the community buys, is a lot of fun!!

[@willg.2045]

Great responses! As to this week's question, I have a contrarian streak and so I like going after a lot of cards that other people wouldn't really care about. Having esoteric cards also makes my collection more personal and a reflection of myself. For example, I like collecting John Valentin cards because I was a John Valentin fan growing up. I was also a Pedro Martinez fan, but I can aspire to have the "best" John Valentin collection in the world where that would be effectively impossible for a player like Martinez. As to the argument that we should collect what is popular because it will be easier to sell for your heirs, I think it is incorrect to assume that the desirable cards are static. Collectors' tastes change and evolve, as we saw in the pandemic with the rise of the popularity (and value) of all-time greats in sports outside of the "big four" sports (like Serena Williams, Pele, Mike Tyson, Jesse Owens, etc) and including nonsports (the Luke Skywalker "rookie," the Batman "rookie," etc). Now I don't want to oversell this point; I do think that the vintage cards that are popular now are more likely to be popular in the future. But there is definitely decent upside risk and little downside risk in less popular vintage cards. That is to say, those A&G pirate cards could really pay-off for your family, Graig.

[@ACD1994]

Some great points. Thanks for sharing.

[@MidLifeCards]

I really enjoy non sport and lesser popular sport cards.

[@ACD1994]

Great question this week, and thanks Mookie for sparking this conversation. Being on the other end of the camera, I have not yet shared my collecting origin story, why I collect, the cards, which have meaning to me. I think the reason why the question is, important however, and where I could see other collectors affected by what other people like to buy, is when for example watching videos on KZbin that have a museum like quality. Most of us may not be able to afford those cards, but you never know that it can not be impossible because life works in mysterious ways. I will say another reason why I think some collectors do care about what others may say or think, is because they don't want to feel shame or embarrassment. If I am being completely honest Graig, I do think there is some gatekeeping when it comes to hobbies, and there will always be a silent, but loud minority voice, which will approve or disapprove of the way we buy, and what we buy, though this is probably not just applicable to a hobby, but rather, our choices in life we make. And like you said. 90 percent is still an A. But we reflect I think on that 10 percent where we mess up or people who have led us to believe we have made a mistake. I know buying cards really should be fun, and isn't nearly as deep as what I am trying to convey, and struggle to convey. But to answer your question. I believe that we do care what others think on a certain surface level. It takes having not a weak ego, strong mind, strong body. A certain mentality to do your own thing. When it should be simple. Yet so simple to over simplify. As I think I did here. Sorry for the short winded comment. Great video. Thank you.

[@LonelyBasementBaseballCards]

@@ACD1994 It takes a strong mind to buy a box of 88 Donruss.

[@ACD1994]

@@LonelyBasementBaseballCards Yup. 2 types of collectors. Those who buy 1952 Topps, and those who are buying 1952 Topps, but are proud of their 1991 Fleer.

[@LonelyBasementBaseballCards]

@@ACD1994 Love my yellow Fleer.

[@MidLifeCards]

"the other end of the camera." LOL.

[@brentrichardsbaseballcards]

Hey Andrew, I spent a good deal of time and thought on my comment, and KZbin deleted it again. Have you had this happen? Very frustrating

[@themandalorian400]

I generally am not affected by what other's are doing/interested in. I collect what I want. I'll pay attention to what's trending (and maybe pick up a few "investments" here and there if I notice the long term trend early enough) to see how my collection's value is tracking (If I'm wanting to appraise it or sell it) or if there is a card that I'm saving up for to see if its currently popular or not and how the interest in it is trending.

[@MidLifeCards]

I totally get that perspective.

[@Redneckclector]

To answer this week’s question. I like owning iconic cards and I suppose to be iconic they have to garner their fair share interest from other collectors. So based on that I guess perhaps most of us are influenced by others in the hobby. On the other hand, there are a lot of cards in my collection that most people would find unimpressive, but I am still ecstatic to own them.

[@MidLifeCards]

Good comment. Thanks for sharing.

[@billyballgamesportscards]

Hey Graig, great QnA this week You have an amazing community. To answer this week's question. It doesn't matter to me in the least if someone else doesn't like or want a card. I will buy it if it's a card I want. This usually doesn't happen with HOF rookie cards or HOF player run cards. Where this could happen is with Cardinals cards. I have an amazing 1982 Topps Cardinals leaders card and an 82 Cardinals Rookies card that I'm going to submit for grading. Most collectors would ask me why, in the heck, would I pay 15 dollars a piece to get those cards graded! For me, that's an easy answer. Some of my earliest baseball memories are from the 82 World Series, which the Cardinals won. Some of these players are on these cards. They are beautiful and in amazing condition. That's why I want them graded in my collection. Thanks for all that you do for the youtube cardmunity.

[@MidLifeCards]

We all are a part of an amazing community for sure.

[@the80slivehere]

For this week's question: I truly get enjoyment from collecting and viewing my sports stuff. Most YT sports collectors don't seem to want what I collect and that is not a problem. I really enjoy the cool sporty content. 🔥. My categories are the Miami Hurricanes (pro players who played at the U over many decades - even if they did not make it big - they are in baseball, football, and basketball all over the place), The New York Yankees (even common cards through the years since the uniform always sparkles and the optimism is ever-present). They all have their day in my collection! I also collect all manner of vintage non-sport cards and other items like tobacco leathers and felts. I rescue these neat old items at antiques shows, shops and auctions. After that, I collect any players who I like from virtually any sport and any team. Usually, they are big stars. but I am not against a cute name or a cute guy on card. 🤷‍♀. Anyone who looks at my stuff will likely know who I am (as opposed to knowing who a Hall of Famer baseball player is). I have been collecting for years before social media existed. I try hard to avoid FOMO on sports cards. What YT card collectors have done for me is to help validate the idea of my collection. 😃. Have a great Saturday! ☀🌴🌊. - Heather from The Sunshine State.

[@MidLifeCards]

I love people who collect players from a university.

[@the80slivehere]

@@MidLifeCards Thanks, Graig! - H.

[@d1138vader]

I buy what I want. Typically HOF vintage baseball. There are some exceptions. But others do not influence me unless I see something new or occasionally they help me notice a card I hadn’t put much thought in. I do love pin hole cards. You can get some great vintage cards cheap. Especially if it’s from staples. They are tiny and usually only noticeable with light or a very close look

[@MidLifeCards]

pinholes and staple holes do make cards more affordable.

[@mikewrobel2881]

Grades are opinions.

[@jonathonsantamont8527]

So are legal decisions and doctors visits…. Nothing is absolute, agree 100 percent!

[@MidLifeCards]

For sure.

[@theirishhammer9108]

It really depends on what type of collector you are ... I like vintage cards with autographs. I want it graded and determined to be authentic. Also, if you are in the hobby to flip cards, graded cards are the perfect way to easily determine price. If you are in the hobby to just collect, don't buy graded cards at all. I personally like building/buying sets. As long as the cards are in decent shape, I'm good with them.

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a great point. Depends on what you're into.

[@themandalorian400]

I can say that the importance of the numerical grade hasn't changed for me, but my interest in graded cards increased. For me grading comes down two 2 things. The first one is authenticity. While its not fool proof it does provide reasonable assurance that the card you are purchasing is authentic. The other thing is protection. The slab is the most protective of the possible holders you can put a card into. While its nice to have that numerical assessment of the card's condition its not highest value part of the card for me. Does the card look good, especially if its one that I want to display. I'm not against graded cards having a higher value than a raw one for these reason (with an increasing scale as the grade goes up), but I think, at least right now, it's a little out of hand. When it comes to selecting what company I want to grade my cards with its a little bit more complicated. While I'm open to buying PSA and Beckett graded cads, I don't trust them enough to send my cards in them. When if comes to CGC I'm open to sending them cards, but I don't know enough about them to full trust them as my first option. SGC is, in my opinion, the best company. They tend to be the most accurate and constant amongst the "big 4" as well as providing the best surface. Another thing is SGC is the most transparent one of the lot. I value that.

[@MidLifeCards]

I love how much different we all are in the hobby. And, none of us are right or wrong. It's glorious.

[@stevegallo8483]

Excellent question this week, and I can see how Mookie Chillson's love for pinhole cards would inspire this question. Anyone else having interest (or a lack of interest) in a particular card has little to no effect on whether or not I would buy it. Case in point: I have a run of former Patriots WR Darryl Stingley cards because of his story. (Stingley was a promising WR in the 70s for the Patriots who had his career ended and his life drastically changed during a preseason game in 1978. Stingley was reaching out for an errant pass when he was hit by Raiders DB Jack "the Assassin" Tatum, a hit that left Stingley paralyzed for the rest of his life.) I have a shotgun approach to my collecting and buy what I want.

[@MidLifeCards]

Mookie Chillson is a legend. Can't go wrong with the shotgun approach.

[@JAMESGTERCOLLECTS2]

None at all,could care less. But I do enjoy what other collectors are collecting or show on their channels because it is about collecting. You yourself collect Graig Nettles,Roger Clemons, Pirate cards ,its cool to see your enjoyment of those cards. But for me its about what brings me joy. I collect Bobby Murcer cards because as a Yankees fan growing up,he was the next Mickey Mantle and enjoyed and loved watching him play.Even though he fell short of that. He had a good career but not like a HOF But followed his career even after he was traded I watch other videos of a Phillies collector as he does mail days or pickup videos Don't care for the Phillies but I always seem to learn something from watching his channel. As everyone says Collect what you like!!!! That is so true!!!!!

[@MidLifeCards]

This made me LOL.

[@ACD1994]

Hi Graig. Thanks for including my comment, and reading the comment from beginning to end. I think the autographs, and authenticity should make us skeptical too. Paying so called experts for an opinion, that the signature is really the actual signature. It reminds me of watching one of the Ken Goldin episodes, a guy, had video proof of the item being signed, but for guys like, Munson and Clemente, who both passed away young years ago, it could be difficult I think spending hard earned cash on something, which could have been signed by the bat boy.

[@LonelyBasementBaseballCards]

I’m in the market for a Munson auto and it’s hard to trust a PSA slab.

[@ACD1994]

@@LonelyBasementBaseballCards About 2 weeks ago. Mangini, posted a fake Munson '71 Topps signed by his wife I think. And, Beckett authenticated the signature too.

[@LonelyBasementBaseballCards]

@@ACD1994 yup, at least his wife’s signature was authentic…..

[@ACD1994]

@@LonelyBasementBaseballCards Yeah, I suppose that is true.

[@MidLifeCards]

No doubt it's hard to know what to believe.

[@robertcremeens3166]

If you have a PSA 10 1993 UD Jeter SP it makes a big difference. However the grading companies do mess up on occasion and all have some history of doing so & scammers and card doctors are out there. At the end of the day you have to ask yourself as a collector what do I want. I want a nicely centered & clean looking card of some player I like that has some rarity to it also. It's better if the rarity is natural, but for modern gotta stick with low pop reports and card numbering. If I can get it anywhere close to mint and that's something I'm looking for that's a win to collect. It helps being in a graded holder, but graders do and will continue to make mistakes. So you need to know how to grade yourself as well.

[@MidLifeCards]

Well said. I can't disagree with any of that.

[@mackeymintle66]

I buy well loved cards…. With writing on the front (mustaches, or players names), or on the back (team changes, or stats, or other nitials made with a fountain pen…back before cards had ANY intrinsic value)! Sometimes there’s even notes to friends, or doodles! 😊👍👌

[@MidLifeCards]

I like character on cards.

[@davidbobo9740]

My bad corners , wrinkles and dirt make them authentic since I pulled them myself 45 years ago. 😁

[@MidLifeCards]

Very cool.

[@jeurseth]

Grades matter so little to me I want to start a pinhole set of the most stunning 1s in existence

[@vintagecollector5340]

I'd be very surprised if they only had pinholes.

[@MidLifeCards]

Not a bad move.

[@d1138vader]

I have only had 1 card graded. An old judge. And basically I did to make sure it was authentic and did later sell. It received and sgc 5 btw. I do buy slabbed cards, but def eye appeal matters. Price is always my driving factor when purchasing. I do think grading is good for authenticating cards and autos. But with most vintage, I don’t need it graded. As far as moderns, can most people differentiate a 9 from a 10?

[@markstein1916]

Agree.... Very little need for TPG and all the corruption that comes with it.

[@MidLifeCards]

I can't tell a 9 from a 10 in most cases.

[@JimDeFineSporticvs]

I buy the players I see potential in. With young players, the outside hype is usually based in frosting over cake...are they cool, flashy and on a popular team. I am more of a cake guy...does the player have the foundation for repeatable long-term success (intellegence, team guys, work ethic, physical gifts, etc). Players who succeed will become popular...always have, always will.

[@MidLifeCards]

I get that. Potential is like undervalued.

[@johnrodriguez6480]

For sure I believe grades matter. They will always matter in everything. Anything Mint or GM Mint will always be considered more valuable than anything that’s not. Cards, cars, jewelry,toy collections still in packages…

[@vintagecollector5340]

And what happens to the truly rare collectibles in the hobby? Game tickets, photos, 35 mm photo slides, etc? Do those just stay undervalued compared to artificial scarcity? True scarcity isn't based so much off condition.

[@johnrodriguez6480]

@@vintagecollector5340 we may be talking about 2 different things. I’m talking strictly about condition. You’re talking about scarcity. Anything scarce will likely be more valuable but the condition would matter in 2 similar items. For instance if you have 2 tickets from the very first Super Bowl and 1 is in mint condition and the other one has tears and wrinkles in it, the one in mint condition will be more valuable .

[@MidLifeCards]

I get that.

[@dacryptkeeper6836]

Money spent on grading is money NOT spent on collecting!

[@vintagecollector5340]

I disagree. I say it depends on the item itself. For example, I own photos that I someday want authenticated. Does that mean I'm not collecting them? Of course not. It just helps resell value. If something happens to me, my family will have much better luck selling them authenticated.

[@dacryptkeeper6836]

@@vintagecollector5340 BUT, when you DO spend money on getting them graded, other opportunities will have to be sacrificed! To each his own!

[@MidLifeCards]

Truth.

[@brianfogle2948]

Hello sir, sorry if this question has been answered, if you don't mind what did your dad purchase the 53 topps mantle and what is the grade? I have found a raw one at a lcs and he's pretty firm on the price and i haven't really found any others so just curious...thank you for your content

[@MidLifeCards]

He bought it privately, and I don't remember the exact price. Sorry.

[@NLMDOCUMENTARY]

I don’t think grading is perfect but it s a third party opinion on the condition of a particular card. I actually think grading will be even more important as the hobby grows as we do see now. As long as the slab is real, buying a card in a psa/sgc slab will always be more assuring whether the reflects the grade or whether the card is authentic or not. It may not be perfect but it satisfying for the buyer and seller that a 3rd party has confirmed the condition/authenticity of the card.

[@MidLifeCards]

There are a lot of benefits to 3rd party grading. No doubt.

[@clintsimons8117]

With the Blackbeard in mind....you bought a 2....when a 3 becomes available....do you upgrade....no matter the money? At that point.....does the upgrade matter?

[@MidLifeCards]

Depends on the eye appeal of the 3.

[@Politano1955]

Although I like my vintage cards slabbed, I'm not much into the grades. Its all about centering to me. I personally love the large tobacco stains on the back of my lesser graded T-206's.

[@MidLifeCards]

Centering is huge for me too.

[@DonHamlin]

To answer this week’s question. The popularity of a card doesn’t affect my buying decisions. The reason is a little long winded. I have owned many of the current iconic cards such as 49 Leaf Williams/DiMaggio, 52 Mantle, 33 DeLong complete set, etc. I started buying these vintage cards around 1974 thru the early’80’s when they were very cheap. I sold my collection in the early ‘90’s mostly to Alan Rosen (Mr Mint) for what seemed like a lot of money. As I have gotten interested again, mainly from watching KZbin videos, I have no interest in rebuying very expensive cards I have owned in the past. I now only buy relatively affordable cards that have personal appeal that may seem odd to others such as cards of old stars that ended up on the early Mets teams.

[@MidLifeCards]

Wow. You've had some big cards.

[@jpacrylicstudio145]

I buy and collect what I like. I buy what looks good to me to keep and I buy what others like when I find a really good deal on it so I can sell it for a profit. I don't have any friends who collect cards, so there is no "pear pressure" as to what I buy.

[@MidLifeCards]

Fair enough.

[@mikewrobel2881]

Ocean front property is valuable because it fronts the ocean.

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL. There is that, too!!

[@atlcardcollector]

Among the many things that I like to collect are OJ Simpson and Collin Kapernick slabbed cards. One of the reasons why I enjoy doing so is to piss people off.

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a motivation I've never heard before.

[@mrmjmiller]

To me, how much other people like a card has little to do with whether I want it or not. If a card is going into my collection it's for me and family members to enjoy. One exception to that rule was the 53 Mantle I bought that at the National that I required everyone to view. 🤣 If the card is bought to sell than the opposite is true. I have bought a bunch of rookie cards of players that I think could one day be in the HOF. Vada Pinson, Lou Pinnella, Tommy John, and on an on.. For those cards other people's opinion is the foremost of importance. So bottom line for me is whether a card was bought to keep or sell.

[@MidLifeCards]

It's a beautiful card.

[@jlbaseballcards]

Not only in the US, but social media platforms have connected collectors all over the world! Why are centered cards trending and commanding premium in recent years? We have to thank preacher of centered cards Dylan of DoubleD Vintage Cards 😂 I’m a student of his philosophy!

[@MidLifeCards]

Double D has good tast.

[@Brian-pf7qq]

Grading will matter to the collectors that have money invested in the grades, and their collection will lose value of grades lose their value.

[@vintagecollector5340]

Once the masses discover that it's all artificial scarcity, they very well could lose their value.

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a really good point.

[@PoorMansInvesting]

PSA already has way too much credibility, so many fakes already out there that they have stabbed. Even the first card they ever graded was trimmed.

[@MidLifeCards]

There are some issues out in circulation.

[@cryptonite8495]

I'm going to call out @LamarrVaughn who said most graders are "barely 20 years old." How on earth do you know that?

[@MidLifeCards]

I think he's being dramatic. But, I do know they hire a lot of college students.

[@ACollectorsDream]

Another great video.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks my friend.

[@mikewrobel2881]

Everyone is influenced by others, evidenced by the higher prices paid for plentiful rookie cards.

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a fair point.

[@NLMDOCUMENTARY]

Another point I want make is that we seem to issues with people getting grades from PSA (and others) that we think doesn’t deserve it, but how many times have you gotten a grade that you were like “wow a ten? I thought maybe just a 9 but I got a ten. We don’t seem to complain about that, and I think that happens a lot. I think the point that Craig made about human error is a great one. Some may say “well let’s use AI grading.” But is AI grading perfect. I am one that believe a near perfect looking 1979 OPC Gretzky rc with a fuzzy left edge should be graded near mint or higher, but AI grading may give it a 5/6 because all it sees is the fuzzy edge. Human grading has its pros and cons, suck it up. You can always crack the slab or go with another grading company. But if after several attempts the results are the same… maybe our own opinion of the card is wrong.

[@ACD1994]

You make a fair point. I think the argument for AI grading, is doing a better job at detecting that a card was already submitted to grading, and wouldn't be able to, be graded again. After already having been cracked out, of, a slab.

[@MidLifeCards]

Totally good point. Going to be interest to see the inroads that software does in grading.

[@vintagecollector5340]

Hey, Graig, I have a question nobody has yet to ask for a video: whats your thoughts on 35 MM photo slides? Most (if not all) of these are 1/1 items. Nobody seems to collect them and prices are still dirt cheap after all these years. Ive managed a Bonds rookie and Griffey rookie for less than a hundred-dollars total. The Griffey is even dated 1989 with the photographers name on it. Rare inserts of Bonds and Griffey will go for hundreds to thousands a piece, but ironically, the truly rarest collectibles of them dont actually garner much attention. PSA doesnt authenticate them yet, so Im sure that plays a big role in their popularity.

[@MidLifeCards]

My friend Brent collects them. I do see the appeal and think they are cool. But at this point, I'm not buying them as I'm trying to focus my funds elsewhere.

[@ericgerber4099]

I couldn’t agree more there should be space for human hair. Unfortunately, at least the grading company that I have worked with in the past leaves no room for that. If there is human error on their side, you have to pay to get it addressed. I feel like that is unfortunate, and based on the amount of money spent an erroneous policy.

[@MidLifeCards]

It's part of being human and having human judges.

[@tstewart3034]

It seems like it's all that matters to most collectors. It's almost disgusting. Pops, grades, comps, blah blah blah... and that's even before we know who the player is. I'm actually speaking about new card, vintage, I totally understand .

[@MidLifeCards]

For some people it's a big part of it. For others it doesn't matter.

[@marshallkahn3342]

Not when I crack out a 68 Mantle that got an authentic 2:06 , send it back in and get a 6.

[@MidLifeCards]

That's wild.

[@jimmy_iKoN]

So many cards undergraded , overgraded. Altered and given number grades. Do grades matter? Obviously they do as long as you agree with the grade but that being said not all grades are the same especially when it comes to vintage. Not all 8s are equal and so on.

[@MidLifeCards]

No doubt. Grades matter some. And, not all 8s are equal 8s.

[@LamarrVann]

I'm not quick to jump on the bandwagon because a YT influencer is 'wow' about a card or an era of cards. It really is for me comes down to my local favorites Reds/Bengals from the vintage time period to the age of ultra-modern. I'm certainly not swayed by those in social media that get special access to grading card companies and/or being wooed by card manufacturers that issue a card for those influencers in their own image only to see them pop off about how wonderful those card Co's are. No thanks. If anything, it's more now that I like to glean for the sake of my hobby collection is those who share their hobby collections online is to see if there's something I missed that I never knew was issued before such as the SOHIO Regional gas & oil production of XRC Roger Maris a year before he was printed in Topps or the '54 Johnston cookie regional production of Hank Aaron Rc. not to mention the '77 Gary Carter O-Pee-Chee variation is a must have for my collection.

[@MidLifeCards]

Collecting your favorite teams and players makes sense.

[@DennisO-g9m]

Just like stepping into a casino,you go with expendable cash with no regrets good or bad. Same thing with collecting, no regrets either way if your cards will be wanted by anyone someday. Grading some day may not mean anything to graders.

[@MidLifeCards]

Fair comparison.

[@BringingTheHeat-VBC]

I can only afford 1's and 2's with low eye appeal so I'm not sure.

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL.

[@DennisO-g9m]

Firmly in the corner of opinion #2.

[@MidLifeCards]

I get that.

[@wayneburbrink1215]

My brother just got a 4 hank aaron rc that looked better than the 2 other 5’s that his friend sent in , they are all psa the 4 is 55/45 nice color

[@MidLifeCards]

Centering is big.

[@chrisolivo6591]

Graig, i respectfully disagree when you say PSA has a lot to lose if collectors start to figure out they are authenticating fakes. Most people know that there are loads of trimmed cards that have been authenticated by PSA, and it didn’t affect the market one bit. Heck, Evan Mathis (who sold a high grade 52 Topps Mantle for 2.8 million dollars in 2018) just did a video last year showing how to trim cards. A few KZbinrs did videos about it, but the outrage was pretty tame. I hate to say but alot of KZbinrs with high grade vintage cards (deep down) know some of their cards are trimmed, but it has never affected the hobby. We can talk about eye appeal all we want, but the majority of the hobby still cares about the grade. Just remember when i bought a Mike Piazza PSA 9 rookie over the summer on eBay and asked for a refund because it was not the card that was advertised as mine was way off centered. The sellers response to me, “I didn’t think it mattered, as PSA 9 is a PSA 9.” Sadly, that’s the majority opinion in this hobby. So if you’re selling your cards, the grade matters. If you’re a collector, it doesn’t matter.

[@markstein1916]

Sadly this is so true. I wish everyone who collected had your level of awareness, but sadly the sheeple have been hypnotized by a highly corrupt company with NO system of checks and balances. The altered card scandal should have ruined PSA, but sadly the people who are "invested" prefer to turn a blind eye. Sketchy hobby (business).

[@ACD1994]

@@markstein1916 I hope to hear your PSA story one day on camera. It's got to be pretty epic, haha.

[@MidLifeCards]

No doubt that everyone has had different experiences that results in different opinions of people and companies. Not knowing exactly everyone's situation is largely why so many of us have varying opinions. But, that makes a lot of sense.

[@jonathonsantamont8527]

Generally if graded, regardless of number (1-10), you’re getting a legit card. Outside of that, grading is subjective…. PSA please submit again…. Send in multiple times and get different grades in exact same card…

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree. Perfectly summarized.

[@wayneburbrink1215]

Sgc does way better than psa at centering , i felt sick years ago doing sight unseen mail order psa cards alot of my 9’s and 10’s would not meet Beckett or sgc standards, not at all

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree.

[@mackeymintle66]

What is this “ Grading” you speak of? 😂 Sometimes I have FOMO, but I still have too little confidence in Graders, and the confusion baked in over the different “Eras” of grading makes in inequitable and fraught for a majority of collectors. Maybe if all the issues are somehow solved, someday I might send some in.

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL. Like Jake of legends never die.

[@marcbeutler7204]

It's funny, every time you talk about ultra modern, you use Joe Burrow as your example. You did it at least twice in this video 😂

[@MidLifeCards]

Isn't he the most popular modern football guy? LOL

[@ACD1994]

@@MidLifeCards Maybe if Patrick Mahomes didn't exist. I like Lamar Jackson better too, though I'm a Ravens fan.

[@cryptonite8495]

Sure a grader can make a mistake, just like an umpire can make a mistake, or a ballplayer can make a mistake that has his name attached to it forever. That debate is tiresome, to be honest. With PSA pushing through 1.3 million Pokemon and ultra-modern cards every month, I'm surprised there aren't more mistakes on vintage cards.

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree. People make mistakes.

[@cineM4RL]

Not long ago there was a controversy where someone submitted an auto to PSA for dual grading that was already slabbed authentic by PSA that they decertified. It’s not a perfect system, but I do believe that they get it right far more often than they don’t.

[@MidLifeCards]

Fair point.