Here's Why I Collect Low Grade Vintage Cards!! Buying The Card, Not The Grade...

[@mikewrobel2881]

One benefit of growing old and declining eyesight is that your cards will increase in eye appeal! We can't tell what grades the cards SHOULD have gotten because we don't have them in hand and aren't viewing under magnification. No doubt your cards have nice eye appeal for the grade. The Jim Brown may have a bend near top right corner. The Ted Williams may have a black pen mark on the back.

[@MidLifeCards]

Eye appeal is how I collect. So, that's my focus.

[@mookiechillson]

I just love love love this blind study - and IMHO it’s the absolute best way to find and curate a collection. I won’t share my independent scoring here because no spoilers! But every one of my eyeball grades was above the PSA assigned grade. Expert collecting 101!!!!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Mook. I appreciate you, my friend.

[@williampotts7205]

Only one of my grades was lower than PSA. 9 out of 10 were higher or the same. Two were actually the same.. Glad that they are just opinions

[@DoubleDvintagebaseballcards]

Spot on Graig and your cards are absolutely blazers 🍒🍒🍒 I think those of us buying up the best looking cards possible in any grade will be rewarded in the future. Not the ones buying the highest grade blindly. I think people forget that it wasnt that long ago where 7 8 9 graded cards had a normal price gap between them. It wasnt unitl the crazy boom that those high grade examples regardless of what they actually looked like shot to the moon. To me that ship has sailed and the future could tell a different story and one I believe will be focused on what the card actually looks like rather than the number on the slab that a human gave it. These are my opinions and I could be wrong ,but I for one sold off my high grades that did not look like high grades during the last few years. So my money or collection is where my mouth is 😜👊🤙🤙

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Dylan. I think your "downgrading" is one of the smartest things I've seen anyone do in the hobby.

[@RobCashCards]

Hi Graig! The eye appeal of your cards is out of this world. You have a real talent and I’m slowly developing mine. Have a fantastic weekend, my friend!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. I appreciate that.

[@snowliondragon]

Amazing cards, Graig! I agree... the cards look nicer than the grades. Great eye. We finally got power back here in Central Florida after Milton.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. Glad to hear you're safe and sound. I checked on my buddy Orlando yesterday. He's ok as well.

[@davidlapointe7446]

Great show Graig. Look forward to all of them. It's amazing how we r at the mercy almost of the grading companies when selling. Just like u said the Henderson in a 9 as opposed to an 8 or 7 makes the price go up exponentially.

[@MidLifeCards]

Exactly!! Until collectors start paying up for undergraded cards, it will never change.

[@ACollectorsDream]

Beautiful cards Graig, great eye appeal. Those are the type of cards I look for.

[@MidLifeCards]

We're twins. I'm just glad you're safe down there, Orlando!!

[@jerryreed7593]

Nice discussion and I agree completely. We are on card auto collectors so the card condition is a factor for eye appeal but more than anything the auto has to really be nice for us to enjoy 😀 Jerry and Amanda

[@MidLifeCards]

Agreed!!

[@cryptonite8495]

An 8 turning into a 9 multiplies the value by 10X. Hence PSA stands for Please Submit Again. Remember that 1958 Koufax I showed you that had initials scrawled on the back and PSA missed it? It illustrates the fact that humans are involved, and they are under pressure to grade a million Pokemon and ultra-modern cards every month, and many of those that don't earn a 10 get resubmitted. I don't think vintage cards get a whole lot of time devoted to them.

[@MidLifeCards]

We rely to much on the "trained eye" of PSA.

[@cryptonite8495]

@@MidLifeCards True. Yet for all their lack of perfect performance, their eyes are more trained than mine.

[@CollectingNolan]

Great cards! It's always about eye appeal. Those cards look way better than what they graded.

[@MidLifeCards]

That's where I try to focus my purchases.

[@showoffyafresh]

Another great video. I just followed you on IG. I buy off of eye appeal as well, but never thought about it the way you put it. You've added another tool to my cerebellum LOL.

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL. Thanks so much!!

[@EhlersMark123]

They all look better than the grade they received. It would be interesting to see what would happen if you resubmitted them. Thanks for sharing

[@williampotts7205]

I agree. Resubmit them and just see 👀 the opinion that they get this time. It very easily could be a higher grade. Yes, it saves you alot of money on the purchase, but on the resale, it certainly will hurt. I look at that too when I make a purchase. Will the investment reap sufficient rewards to your daughters or whomever you will them to? Anyway... we all have our own opinions.

[@MidLifeCards]

I've thought about it. I just don't really wanna spend the time or money....but maybe I should.

[@Redneckclector]

Seems to me that a 4 grade is the sweet spot. I just picked up a card today at a show that had great eye appeal over a card that was higher and saved myself half the money. Great video on a great topic. Thanks for sharing.

[@DonHamlin]

Really fun video. What kind of lighting do have on the cards? It really brings the out the colors perfectly.

[@MidLifeCards]

I used a ring light. I did a video a few weeks ago where I show my system for taking pictures of cards.

[@brandonhenry5878]

Great content, when I get some of my PSA submissions back there are always some that are head scratchers. Thank you for your thoughts.

[@MidLifeCards]

Happens to the best of us.

[@DonOlszewski-th1ir]

Graig. You are preaching to the choir with me. I also enjoy having cards in my collection that can be well worn with many problems if it is pre war and very rare. In many cases you might consider yourself lucky just to hold one. Looking at your Doby card. If you read the original grading rules and apply to that card. There is no visible reason that card shouldn’t be a 4. Just my opinion from a collector that has been collecting before there were grading companies. In that case you have a great card at a very good price. Keep up the good content.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Don. Looking forward to seeing you in Strongsville.

[@billyballgamesportscards]

Awesome cards, Graig! I took notes during the video because I'm a nerd! I think most of them are indergraded by half a grade to a full grade based on eye appeal. I think the most egregious is the Yastrzemski. I had that as a 6. Great video! I really enjoy these. Thanks, my friend.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Billy. I think that Yaz is a beaut.

[@Jeremy-VintageCards]

That’s too funny Billy! Graig had me at guess these grades I got my notebook out right away too😆 all these cards look amazing!

[@shoeboxlegends]

I for one am glad you showed off some of your collection here, I don’t find this boring in the least. You have a tremendous eye for cardboard, pal! 🤩

[@MidLifeCards]

Shane- Your wife is right about you....you're a great guy and super sweet!!

[@tavpaquette]

Bravo, Graig! Excellent selections! Every one of those looked better than the grade they were given, and like you said not that they didn't deserve them. To me that's irrelevant. Your eyes are the things that need to look at them. If it appeals to them and it's less expensive then seriously why would you get anything else?

[@A.K.1978]

Question .what do you consider a player's -True rookie card?

[@MidLifeCards]

That's such a difficult question. Honestly....I don't know. I don't think it's always their FIRST card...because some FIRST cards are from largely unknown sets. I think that's a really complicated one and I'm not sure I have a firm opinion on it.

[@greatnorthern706]

Great video Graig. I have been watching your channel for a little while now, and at this point you have me completely sold on buying eye-appeal versus the grade. That Jim Brown in particular looked like a 6 to me! The Matthewson is a puzzler too. I had that as atleast a 4. I will give grades a lot more consideration to cards from the 1970s (I mostly collect pre-war through 1979) as they are less expensive, but if I buy an 8 or 9, it’s got to be a beautiful 8 or 9. I must say though, one of the cards I have that I am astonished by is a 1975 Bob Gibson. The colors are brilliant, and the card is in great shape and it only got a 6! Thanks, Greg

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Greg. I appreciate you watching and I appreciate this comment.

[@EdMonet]

These are all recently graded - PSA have lost their minds with current grades- EVERYTHING is undergraded and are a great value for buyers, good video Graig

[@MidLifeCards]

I totally agree. I just did a submission of MODERN cards. They were absolutely beautiful cards, and they came back in awful grades. They're absolutely ruining the whole thing.

[@Jeremy-VintageCards]

Amazing cards Graig! That T206 Duffy wow! My vote for best eye appeal, essentially considering the age of the card😳 Great work on the Henderson piece👍👍

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks, my friend.

[@peterb4871]

Nice video. Love that T206 Duffy card.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks!! It's a beauty.

[@vintageonvintage817]

I love getting my cares graded and buying them graded, everyone would like the highest grade possible but for me, it is the eye appeal. Your cards have amazing eye appeal and I would want everyone in my collection. The Williams, Brown, and Robinson cards are beauties! and that Doby is the best looking 2 I have ever seen!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much, my friend. Means a lot!!

[@noahinman-it9co]

Hey Graig, I am a young vintage collector and have just recently switched over from modern to vintage. Your videos have given me a great idea and look into what collecting vintage is all about! I got a card I would like to send to you for all the good things you are doing for the hobby! Where could I send it to so that you would get it?

[@MidLifeCards]

Wow. Thats super kind of you. Thanks. You can email me and I'll get you my address. My email address can be found in the description of all of my videos at the very bottom.

[@3D80sKid]

I came within a half grade for predicting every card. You and I play in the same sandbox. It’s such a better way to make your money go farther paying at the higher end of a grade range for beautiful cards over caring about the number on the slabs.

[@MidLifeCards]

Stop stealing the shovel in the sandbox. I like digging deep holes.

[@BringingTheHeat-VBC]

2's are the new 7's. Great collection of beautiful Messterpieces. Such a great eye. Appeal

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Mr. Petty.

[@ACD1994]

''2's are the new 7's.'' Not when, I'm sober. Hope you're doing well, Mike!

[@brentrichardsbaseballcards]

Those are all great cards. They all look better than the grade, but that 2.5 particularly sticks out as undergraded to me. Congrats on the amazing cards

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Brent. I appreciate you leaving a positive comment.

[@mrmjmiller]

When I was in the PSA registry, of course, grade was important. Now it doesn't mean near as much. Eye appeal is everything.

[@MidLifeCards]

Agreed.

[@MrJmangini]

Good topic. Good thoughts. Great points!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks John. When you're Hobby President, I hope you don't forget about me.

[@larrygitlin6017]

I graded all the cards higher except the Bowman Minoso, and Monty Irvin which I graded their grades. The biggest surprises was the Ted Williams, and the Jim Brown which I graded the Ted a 5 and the Brown a 6. That was fun.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks for participating and letting me know how you did.

[@billkhan3789]

The Hubble Telescope!!! That’s awesome!!!

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL.

[@JackClarke-zb8uj]

I’m further convinced in my household I’m going with ungraded cards with great eye appeal every day. No grade in a bulky plastic case to distract from the experience. Think about it for a second. The only compelling argument I’ve heard for grading might be authenticity. Ok, then let’s put a small authentic sticker on the back somewhere. Done.

[@3D80sKid]

The one argument I might state counter to that is that a lot of raw card dealers price their cards based on eye appeal and in many cases are overestimating the grades. I would contend that shopping for cards that look “undergraded” is a chance to spend less money. It’s obviously not going to be the case 100% of the time (what in this world is?) but at least that has been my observation.

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL. I love it!!

[@mrmjmiller]

you have a great eye for under graded cards

[@MidLifeCards]

Why thank you!!

[@jamesparker5688]

Everything you touched on is the reason none of my collection is graded. I might buy graded cards but I crack them out. I don't like to pay someone else to give me their opinion on the condition. Through several life experiences dealing with collectables, antique toys, comic books and a card dealer has taught me about conditions that help on resell.

[@MidLifeCards]

I totally respect that.

[@mrblac34]

I’ve been buying various Baltimore Ravens variations 2023 Donruss optic rated rookie cards lately. The only thing I’ve noticed is that back being severely off centered. But I buy ones that look closest to 60/40 for my own eye appeal with mag cases.

[@ACD1994]

Let's go Ravens!

[@MidLifeCards]

Everybody has a different opinion of what makes a card eye appealing. I love that about the hobby.

[@TA-mu4jt]

I’d certainly have the Duffy card re-graded! The grade is received is ludicrous!!! It looks more like a 5-6.

[@MidLifeCards]

I'm considering crossing it to SGC.

[@Hodges1455]

Gave a video like. Lower grade card with nice eye appeal is it will always be desired.

[@ctcards2636]

I collect mainly raw cards from 1969 or before. I use to get some cards graded, but im all set with grading. Im after the cards for a piece of history. Grading is not required to collect. Have fun ;-)

[@MidLifeCards]

I can't argue with wanting raw cards. I have a lot of cards that are ungraded that I don't plan on getting slabbed.

[@W238thStreet]

Love the grade challenge. I surprisingly matched on a lot of them! '52 minnie, jim brown, yaz, jackie and golfer. Was over on Ted (+0.5), Christy (+1) [btw, i'll take that gem² off your hands], and Duffy (+0.5). I actually guessed 2 on Monte! (-1).

[@MidLifeCards]

That's pretty impressive!!

[@pocketfullgold]

You are on point. Buy the card. And those grades are way to low.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much.

[@WilliamScott-ug9df]

All undergraded except perhaps the Jones .All are new labels Current PSA grading standards standards are harder and inconsistent Worth resubmitting ? Could the grades be any lower ?

[@MidLifeCards]

I may send to SGC for fun.

[@cardboardandplastic9267]

I collect the cards with the best value, not just low grades. Just like the Rickey Henderson card, I would get the card in the grade before it skyrockets in price. The 7/8 are the best cards to get for that card. I bought a PSA 8 1979 Ozzie Smith for $200. I had a bunch of 7's in the past, but I keep on upgrading until I am content. My Ozzie and Henderson rookies in the grade of 8 are never being upgraded, because a 9 is absolutely insane for an opinion. I am looking for a 1955 Bowman Hank Aaron right now and I would even go to a 6. A six typically goes for $600ish. However a 7 will double or triple that.

[@MidLifeCards]

Great point. Best value is sometimes one grade below the big jump in price.

[@AmariAultman]

I bought the Henderson RC PSA 9 for $500 BEFORE the boom. There’s no VALUE NOW to buy that card. The train is gone.

[@oldskool1979]

Would a graded 4 cost the same as a raw that looks similiar ?

[@MidLifeCards]

Great question!! I'll share my thoughts on this one soon!!

[@MrJmangini]

That should be their positioning statement! Believe it or not, I got it on Whatnot!

[@MidLifeCards]

Good call. Would be a great slogan.

[@WarriorKidd06]

I’ve made a great living getting lower graded cards of cards that I want. It’s truly the way to go. I’ll let all the whales in the hobby go after the 9s and 10s. I love the pricing in the lower end stuff but on so many cards, you can’t tell the difference on a 7-8 to a 9-10. Now when you get on vintage cards, you take what you can afford in my opinion. Those cards that are 60-70 years old and older, those cards will show their age and it won’t be perfect but they’ll still be great cards to own at any grade.

[@MidLifeCards]

I totally agree. I've downgraded man cards on grade, for ones that looked the same or better.

[@stoneyj1a1]

Oddball question for ya: Do you remember Broder cards? 😂 I think everyone in our age group probably knows. They were pretty hot for a minute. We should've known that the market was oversaturated at that point.

[@MidLifeCards]

I'm sure if I saw them, I'd know them. But off the top of my head, I don't.

[@stoneyj1a1]

@@MidLifeCards Basically they were the bootleg unlicensed cards that were common back then. A guy named Rob Broder started the craze.

[@RL3sports]

I always thought I had a good eye for cards, but I'll be darned if I can see why those cards got the grades they did. Even guessing low I'm at least a grade off. Beauties

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much.

[@anthonycarducci2298]

I think you send these cards in again especially the Jim Brown for a regrade.

[@MidLifeCards]

I'm seriously considering it.

[@Penssteel1]

Love the low grade vintage cards, enables me to collect 50s and 60s cards with a budget. Certainly not collecting to make $$$

[@MidLifeCards]

Me too!!

[@davidlapointe7446]

Hi Graig these r all looks like grades. Of course hard to tell wo the cards in hand, so if u want to send me any I would not complain 😉 lol. Ted williams 6,Minnoso 6,jim brown 7, mathewson 3, yastrzemski 6, Duffy 4, j rob 6,b Jones 3, Irvin 3. Finally got 1 right not batting.000 anymore. That Doby is awesome looks like a 4 to me. 1 for 10

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL. Thanks!!

[@plasticmodelmojo]

I'd say be thankful for the apparent undegrading if it checks all the boxes and gets you a favorable price. An ugly flip side scenario would be that PSA's upcharge schedule offering financial incentive to over grade certain classes of cards to realize the upcharge. I've not heard that accusation made yet.

[@MidLifeCards]

Good points.

[@Politano1955]

Nothing better to me as a collector than lower graded T-206's that are centered and have tobacco stains on them.

[@MidLifeCards]

I totally agree.

[@28relics]

I’m on the registry but I don’t sweat the grade enjoy building the sets. All the cards you picked I guessed a grade and some 2-3 higher than they were. The grade is too subjective to care about even on the registry.

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree.

[@timsfgiantsmem9382]

recently got a rickey henderson rookie

[@MidLifeCards]

Such a great card.

[@ACD1994]

I just feel like, PSA, should offer ''eye appeal'' courses, not just to graders. But, to the collectors as well to give us some insight into, what their trained eye sees, what we don't see. Of course, transparency would be the best solution, imo. However, they don't do that either which, they should but, they don't care, so I'm inclined to believe they remain as the hobby's leader due to brand name. Paying a premium for their label.

[@MidLifeCards]

I think doing a KZbin training where they "teach" us how they grade.....would be really interesting and helpful...and help their PR as well.

[@ACD1994]

The set registry, having a ton of influence. It would be nice to know how they view eye appeal and technical grade or if it's really just the same thing that, incorporates all the variables. Corners, surface, color, centered, etc. Yeah.

[@chrisolivo6591]

My motto has always been ‘buy the lowest grade with the best centering/eye appeal.’ When you buy the grading company or the grade, the context of that slab may change 10 years from now. But the card will never change. BGS was once king and now they are looked differently than they were 10 years ago. Old PSA holders are looked differently than new PSA holders because many feel the older slabs were graded easier. I don’t want to overpay in 2024 for a slab that may be frowned upon 10 years from now. Plus the grading companies are so inconsistent, it’s just another reason why the grade is so overrated in this hobby.

[@MidLifeCards]

I think that's a great philosophy.

[@A.K.1978]

The Ted i think a 4.5

[@MidLifeCards]

I love it.

[@JosephRocco-mi4cm]

I collect cards for the love and enjoyment of it. Grades don't matter to me.

[@MidLifeCards]

I like that and I agree with that.

[@pocketfullgold]

Why people slavishly send to psa is beyond me. And if you say for a higher resale price, what is the point if it comes back two grades lower than what you thought?

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a fair point!!

[@oldskool1979]

I like to buy 7.... cheap and look great

[@MidLifeCards]

A lot of 7s are fantastic cards.

[@LegendsNeverDieCollection]

Cards. 🤪

[@MidLifeCards]

Short and sweet. Just like you.

[@vincentcapaccio2033]

Please..I enjoy your show..but you do use the word " love" so much..I truly feel it's such a misused word these days..how do you love something that doesn't love you back? I mean, you enjoy the card..it brings you pleasure..but to say love is a stretch..like some say they love chocolate cake, or a movie..no, you enjoyed it..just my opinion..thx for the great show..

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree that there are few things that I truly love, and many things that I really like.

[@jerrelbean]

What are you doing buying Jim Brown cards? He beat up women and you have daughters. So not cool

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks for the feedback.