Question about Gretzky RCs

Avalanchefan21

Avalanchefan21

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Gem grading only gives 10 for some reason, I have yet to see a nine. They have a bad name in the hobby and purchasing one cannot guarantee it is not a counterfiet or doctored card. KSA is less popular than the main 3 but are very reputable nonetheless, they probably even grade a little tougher, and I would feel comfortable that it would be a legit card.

Pete
 
According to Gem's website, they do NOT guarantee the authenticity of the cards they grade, so it likely is a fake.
 
GEM Grading Services Inc. grades the quality of actual sportscard paper stock.
Providing authentication is challenging and not guaranteed due to improved computerized printing techniques.
Size requirements for sportscards are the standard published size plus or minus 3 mm.
Click to expand...

From thier site. the +- 3mm tells us that they grade trimmed cards...
 
Ask yourself this question
why would he allow a highly sought after card, supposedly in Pristine condition to be sold at a fraction of the cost of a reputable grading company.
Why wouldn't he crack it out and have it re-graded by PSA or BGS.
If it was real, and I doubt it, he has left a pile of money on the table by selling it in a GEM folder.
Doesn't make sense to me. Red Flag..Red Flag..Red Flag
 
bapfan said:
According to Gem's website, they do NOT guarantee the authenticity of the cards they grade, so it likely is a fake.
Click to expand...

The GEM graded item is a Topps.. and with that there are no known reprints/copies as it is an abundant item. And the KSA graded is a OPC.. and the OPC was known to have multiple reprints/copies... ;)

Topps is well known for having a better cutting system for 79 - 80 then those OPC folks in London, ON back in the day.
 
langway05 said:
The GEM graded item is a Topps.. and with that there are no known reprints/copies as it is an abundant item. And the KSA graded is a OPC.. and the OPC was known to have multiple reprints/copies... ;)

Topps is well known for having a better cutting system for 79 - 80 then those OPC folks in London, ON back in the day.
Click to expand...


I've heard the thought that because it's a Topps Gretzky RC it is therefore real, but I'm not so sure about that. Somebody should ask a major grader (PSA, BGS) if they've ever rejected a Topps Gretzky RC because it was fake.
 
bapfan said:
I've heard the thought that because it's a Topps Gretzky RC it is therefore real, but I'm not so sure about that. Somebody should ask a major grader (PSA, BGS) if they've ever rejected a Topps Gretzky RC because it was fake.
Click to expand...

There is a stigma with GEM graded items within the Hockey world.. And as such much the same as BCCG graded items, you don't/can't realize a healthy return on your monies spent grading..

I'm not defending the seller or GEM just pointing out that TOPPS 79 - 80 hockey wasn't reprinted to my knowledge.
 
I agree, Gem is crap. As for as counterfeits/reprints, I'm not sure who's reprinted or copied what or where you'd even find that information.

I certainly wouldn't assume a raw Topps Gretz RC is real simply because it's Topps. If I were buying one, if would be graded by a major grader from a seller with a good reputation.
 
First off....One is OPC one is Topps. Topps RCs are a lot lower in value.

Beyond that GEM grading is a service where (I believe) you can pre-order 10 cases and put them on your own cards. Yeah, those exist. That's why you stick to the major grading companies.
 
Upon closer inspection, the Topps RC looks suspect. The coloring on the back is off, and the front is missing some earmarks of a true Gretzky RC. I would not touch the Topps Gretzky with a ten foot pole.
 
fly4apuckguy said:
Upon closer inspection, the Topps RC looks suspect. The coloring on the back is off, and the front is missing some earmarks of a true Gretzky RC. I would not touch the Topps Gretzky with a ten foot pole.
Click to expand...

FYI, the TOPPS RC doesn't have any of the earmarks associated with a OPC RC.. :|

The TOPPS doesn't have the mark on the left shoulder, the card stock is alot darker on the back and the Blue of the front is more consistent along through the entire run of TOPPS 79 -80. Whereas, the OPC was run twice & the blue can be be of two different shades.. And yes you are looking for the left shoulder marks on the OPC version.

Lastly, if I'd seen the TOPPS RC, I would've in all likelihood purchased it then released it from it's folder to conduct a a very thorough check of it..
 
Avalanchefan21 said:
Why would one graded at a 10 go for one less than one graded at a 6? Is it the grading companies that can determine the price?

Graded @10
http://cgi.ebay.com/1979-80-Topps-W...ryZ23849QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Graded @ 6
http://cgi.ebay.com/79-80-OPC-O-Pee...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Click to expand...
Interesting topic. I think the answer is simple. It has to do with two factors.

First, the reputability of the grading companies plays a big part. GEM Grading is one of the inferior, shaddy grading companies, along with PGI and others. Their standards are much lower than the big three - PSA, BGS, SGC. Prices on eBay of cards in those slabs reflect their low standards and reputibility. You'll also notice, if you were to try and get any cards graded by GEM or PGI that their prices are much cheaper. A knowedgeable collector would rarely spend their money on something in a GEM or PGI slab.

Most graded pricing, for example in the Beckett guide, take into account usually only pricing of the big three grading companies - BGS, PSA and SGC. I'd say KSA is decent, and is the only Canadian grading company.

Second, the fact that one is a Topps and the other is an OPC is a huge factor. The OPC is the more valueable of the two, and is graded by a better grading company than the Topps.
 
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Well, I asked the question of BGS graders if there ever was an instance of a Topps Gretzky RC being counterfeited that they had come across.
their answer was:

Hi,



As far as BGS, we don't know of any cases of the Topps being counterfeit.



Having said that, with today's technology anything is possible. A person could easily start making them tomorrow, so don't automatically accept that a version of the Gretzky is real because it's Topps and not OPC.



I know that is not 100% concrete, but I hope that helps a bit.



Eric

So, in a nutshell, to date, BGS has NOT seen a fake TOPPS Wayne Gretzky RC
that is good to know.
 
While we're talking about Gretzky RCs, I was looking through eBay and found this one graded a 10

4883_1.JPG


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310079106805

Look at the bottom right edge. How can that be considered 10 mint or better?
 
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
langway05 said:
Andrew

'Cause it's been graded for lack of a better word by: 'Beckett Card Collectors Group' :|

Which is in no way affiliated with Beckett Grading Services..

Hope that helps?

Brian
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure they are affiliated. I also thought it was Beckett Collectors Club Grading, and it was their cheaper alternative aimed at simple collectors.

EDIT: Heres the info http://www.beckett.com/grading/pricing.asp


Bill
 
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