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Erik Mattson

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  1. Grading is essentially a hyper-scrutiny of the factory processes. If the card is “authentic” and unaltered - but the factory process was way off somehow - it likely is the same as being messed up after the fact in most human eyes. Graders or collectors.
  2. I think I’ve read that CSG is guaranteeing authenticity and not over-grading. So they’ve decided that errors or tolerances if the whole process will create the situations you are describing as opposed to PSA style “trash authenticated and graded hi” like I often see in the marketplace. It’s just the decision that a CSG cert will be very strong and no question about authentic unaltered and not overrated. For me that’s perfect. I don’t get all wound up over the #
  3. I’ll admit I am a bit fixated on centering. But it seems inconsistent amongst the TPGs. PSA appears to not consider it a relevant quality (10s that are off center, 8s without an entire border - fronts not backs). Just saw a CSG “10” in new silver label and it’s OC on the front and had no border on one side of the back. Several of my exact same cards (89-90 hoops Jordan) have come back 9.5 from CSG with nowhere near this level of OC. Is OC just acceptable as a flaw across the hobby these days? To me edges and corners are not 50% of the card. They are simply “the perimeter” of the card and should total 1/4 not 1/2. Is this an anomaly or am I just not getting that nobody cares about obvious centering but the edges and corners are super important at 10x magnification? Just trying to understand what I’m buying and selling better. If the difference in an 8.5 and a 10 is predominately in corners and edges I can’t see without magnification?
  4. I like them and will likely collect more of them as I like the ones I’ve gotten so far
  5. PSA will be gone after the FBI gets done exposing fraud and conspiracy to defraud with PWCC. Many of us will not deal in PSA high grade cards anymore as it is likely they are doctored even though they are graded. Free market. Our choice. CSG value will be determined by how they continue to serve the market. Just like everyone else. Those in this hobby only for resale and the search for perfection may be disappointed in grade numbers at times, but that’s ok. Truth conquers all. Don’t assume the future “7” CSG is going to be looked at as worse than another TPG “8” for instance. Until the card doctoring started there were virtually no 1950s and 1960s cards that were 9-10s. Authentication matters more than any grade number. and that Bo Jackson card rules!!!
  6. I sent in some 1954 & 1955 which are bigger cards. Super nice case and graded about as I would have hoped (3-4). One came back “EV trimmed” which after close inspection I can’t disagree with. Great authentication and encasement. Finally a TPG I trust.
  7. Authentication (and lack of alterations) is a bigger deal on old cards. (Look at the piles of fake and altered 1986 fleer Jordans all over eBay) Finding a 1950s card in 9-10 good luck. Other than centering, I find almost no visual difference to the naked eye between 8-10. It’s just a human fixation on the unattainable idea of perfection. A 1954 Hank Aaron in grade 5 is nice to look at.
  8. I don’t think they will slab it but will point out the areas and types of alteration and send it back with a label stating so.
  9. I got a 1955 killebrew back EV. Bought it in the late 1980s. Once I scrutinized the card I agree with CSG it has an unnatural edge likely trimmed. Scammers have been altering cards for a long time. I appreciate the authentication and scrutiny given these cards as others came back graded. Since I don’t chase 9s and 10s (fantasy of perfection -lol) I value the authentication above all else.
  10. Authentication and accurate grading is the reason to send them in. If 9-10 is the only goal you miss the point of objective third party authentication and grading.
  11. I appreciate CSG being critical of centering. Way too many PSA 9 and 10 with poor centering visible from feet away at a glance. Why that flaw does not matter to them is mind boggling.
  12. Glad to see they are stringent on sizing as this is the reason I trust them with authentication. My old eyes can’t see and don’t care if my nice looking cards rate 8,9, or 10. Authenticity and unaltered is what I am after in the grading process.