Question on A grade from SGC

[WebVan72]

Does the A (Authentic) mean that something was altered on the card or the card was so poor, it only received an AUTHENTIC grade. I am looking at a vintage 50's card and it looks really nice. but the A either means it was altered or they only asked for AUTHENTIC Grade. Is that possible? Just curious. if anyone has experience with purchasing SGC. Thank you.

[mjohnatgt]

You could: 1) post a picture of the card, 2) email SGC and see if they would tell you, 3) ask the seller.

Authentic could mean that the card is trimmed, recolored, creases pressed out, rebacked, or the card is just small for the regular size, but is real. I have not heard of people submitting cards to SGC for Authentic holders if the card would qualify for a number grade, but both PSA and BGS allow it.

Is the card cut from a box like 1961-63 Post cereal cards? Because if so, the card should have the full black border all the way around it. If not, most grading companies will give that card an Authentic grade instead of a number grade.

FWIW, asking vague questions make it really hard to answer them. At least give the set info if you don't want someone to swoop in and buy it out from under you. But yes, most likely SGC believes the card is Altered in some way.

[WebVan72]

Originally Posted by mjohnatgt

You could: 1) post a picture of the card, 2) email SGC and see if they would tell you, 3) ask the seller.

Authentic could mean that the card is trimmed, recolored, creases pressed out, rebacked, or the card is just small for the regular size, but is real. I have not heard of people submitting cards to SGC for Authentic holders if the card would qualify for a number grade, but both PSA and BGS allow it.

Is the card cut from a box like 1961-63 Post cereal cards? Because if so, the card should have the full black border all the way around it. If not, most grading companies will give that card an Authentic grade instead of a number grade.

FWIW, asking vague questions make it really hard to answer them. At least give the set info if you don't want someone to swoop in and buy it out from under you. But yes, most likely SGC believes the card is Altered in some way.

Good point...the card is a 1952 Topps Card. to be honest, the card has really nice eye appeal, so I am going to take a guess it was trimmed or colored. That is the only thing I can see from this. So i have to make a judgement call on the value if that is the case. The seller is saying he doesnt know, because he is not original owner.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by WebVan72

Good point...the card is a 1952 Topps Card. to be honest, the card has really nice eye appeal, so I am going to take a guess it was trimmed or colored. That is the only thing I can see from this. So i have to make a judgement call on the value if that is the case. The seller is saying he doesnt know, because he is not original owner.

It could have been in a screw down and just have pressed corners. Grading companies used to not pay attention to that, but now they are really picky.

[cdogstu99]

Very possible it was trimmed or altered. SGC doesn't have an 'Authentic Altered' grade, everything falls under the 'Authentic' umbrella

https://allvintagecards.com/authentic-card-grading/