The Yak Shack Forum

I recently bought the GOF P13a Monolith Trophy card.  I knew the card was shown on  :ebay: in a special case, but at the time I thought it was just like the snap cases.  By that I mean I could remove the card once I got it.  It came today sealed in a plastic case.  At the top was a card which on the front list the vital imformation for the card.  On the back the card says: PA Sports Professional Authenticators, a division of Collector's Universe    NASDAQ CLCt.  Here are the pictures off of  :ebay:.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/tspil/HarryPotterGOFMonolithTrophyebayite.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/tspil/HarryPotterGOFMonolithTrophyebay-1.jpg)

I had planned to remove the card from what I thought was a temporary case and put it in a plastic sleeve like my other cards.  Now I don't know what to do.  I've never run across I card quite like this.  I don't know if I should remove it from the case ore leave it as it is.  Any suggestions?

I'm definitely no expert when it comes to cards but for what it's worth terry i think the card looks really good and if i think i would leave it as it is.
I think the case suits it really well, especially with the info on it too.

What you have there is a graded card.

PSA looks at the card, decides how "good" it is, assigns a number grade, and forever locks it away in a little plastic prison.

I'm not a fan of grading, if you could tell.  But there is a place for it with the subjective nature of descriptions on eBay and the internet in general.  Back when you held a card before you bought it you could make up your own mind as to the condition.

The card can be removed, but it's a delicate operation that has the potential to damage the card.

BTW, in sports cards a 8.5 grade can actually lower the value.  Graded collectors look for 9's and better.

The seller should have mentioned that it was graded, but if you not familiar with the process you wouldn't have known what that meant.

Ed

I hate graded cards, too.  I bought one once because the price was so low (the sports card seller didn't know what he had in that particular HP card), but I cut the holder off as soon as I got it.  If you're careful, you can remove the card from the holder.  You'll need some strong shears and possibly a screwdriver to help pry the plastic away from the card.  You need to be very careful so you don't hurt yourself or damage the card.  The plastic and the tools will be sharp.

Oh boy!. I told you i was no expert didn't i :-[

Hey, there are lots of opinions on the subject.  :)  Some people like grading and some don't.  It's just a matter of personal preference.  It's more accepted in the sports hobby than in non-sports.  The only time I'd consider leaving the card in the holder is when the card manufacturer produces a set that way.  For instance, Breygent recently released a Dexter set.  The case incentive cards were graded and slabbed.  I wouldn't remove those holders, if only because doing so might affect the resale value when I was ready to sell the card.

I wasn't really embarrased to be honest.
I just found it funny and had to laugh at myself when i read your post and Ed's post  ;D.

I thought " Trust me to be the only one that thought it looked good "!..LOL!.

Terry this was one of the reasons I stopped collecting comics.  Storage issues aside comics/cards are for looking at and admiring.  Being hermetically sealed does detract from this.  Yes in fifty years time they will still be in the same condition but I want to enjoy these things now.  As has been said it is a matter of opinion but unless something was worth thousands I wouldn't want it in a sealed case.

True John, but I'd be surprised if any HP card got a 10... it's part of their charm ;) so for HP I don't believe that scoring 8.5 wouldn't detract from the value.

I'd rather have a smudge of mud on a card than a boring one any day ;D

I have some cards graded myself off Harry Potter, It is more expensive than the same card Without graded but what is it for gold card dress Autograph card?

This is good for old Baseball cards or NBA but this kind of collection, I do not interest ...

Elite collection ? lol