Nonsense Newsletter No. 161: The grading dilemma, PSA on the rise, C.C. Sebathia and More!
In this week’s spectacular edition of the Nonsense Newsletter, John Dudley talks PSA raising prices. I continue this grading theme by telling you why most of my grading subs go to Florida, and the Quick Hits section is, as the kids say, dope (that means very good for all of us over 40 years old). So, let’s do this again — kick back, grab a coffee and enjoy this week’s edition of the Nonsense Newsletter!
By John Dudley
SA announced an increase to their grading prices and I was honestly shocked. I expected an announcement on price changes at PSA soon, but I fully expected a drop in prices as the value of PSA’s service is lower than it has been in a years in terms of value added to cards.
Grading is a big part of the hobby with over a million cards a month getting slabbed by one of the big four grader (PSA, SGC, BGS, and CGC). Despite that, premiums for graded cards have dipped heavily. Where ultra-modern gems used to get 5x or even 6x raw prices, now they are lucky to get 2x to 3x.
And everyone and their mammy knows about 9s. Do we ever know about 9s. It’s impossible to go on any form of sports card social media without seeing discussion about 9s being sold for raw prices (or less).
The result is that many collectors have stopped sending in cheaper cards. The strategy of “grading your way out” of a bad break is a thing of the past. Still, even with that, PSA has continued expanding and has continued to put up new records in grading volume.
By John McTaggart
I’ve been grading cards about as long as grading cards has been around, seriously.
I remember decades ago thinking this was such an awesome thing for the hobby, and I wanted to be a part of it.
So, way back in the day, I sent cards to a little-known company called PSA.
I got them back, in a very expedited manner, and then put them in my showcases — and no one bought them.
For real, there was a time, in the very early days, where graded cards were taboo.
Well, times have certainly changed, haven’t they?
Personally, I’m glad to see grading evolve to become such an important part of the hobby.
To me, it helps the credibility of collections, and I like that a lot.
Quick Hits
Hobby News- The hunt for Paul Skenes’ RC Debut Patch Auto from 2024 Topps Chrome is over. The card was pulled by an 11-year-old collector who now has an enviable decision of what to do with the card. There were multiple bounties on the card, but the one from the Pirates and Skenes himself is attracting the most media buzz. As attractive as their offer is, much like with the Ohtani 50/50 ball, there will be higher offers from private collectors than from the teams or players.
Vintage- It’s scary for me, a man in my early 50s, to think of CC. Sebathia rookie cards as being considered vintage… but they are. And now that the lefty pitching standout is a strong candidate for enshrinement in Cooperstown, we must take a look at his career in cards. Check that out right here.
Hobby News- It’s starting to feel like the early 00s with Topps releasing Topps Chrome Football and Topps Finest Basketball this week. Unfortunately, Topps still hasn’t perfected choosing photos that hide the lack of licensed logos better yet. Luckily, we won’t have to deal with that much longer as the era of licensed Topps Basketball and Football is fast approaching. The unlicensed products are the only place to get some of the best rookies’ autos and are at least priced attractively.
The Sports Card Nonsense newsletters reflect the opinions of only the authors and contributors. They are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation for purchases or of an investment strategy or to buy or sell any assets.