Why is PSA > BVG?

[sickmantz]

It seems like people prefer to buy PSA graded cards over BVG graded cards, and it seems the premium is significant. Any idea why?

For example, these two Rickey Henderson RCs sold the same day by the same seller were both graded Mint condition, 1 by PSA and 1 by BVG.

The BVG card sold for $241



(1980 Topps Rickey Henderson ROOKIE RC #482 BVG 9 MINT (PWCC) | eBay)



The PSA card sold for $306



(1980 Topps Rickey Henderson ROOKIE RC #482 PSA 9 MINT (PWCC) | eBay)

The quality of each card is almost identical. Why is there a $65 difference in the final selling price?

[Millerzeit]

@ SickMantz ... I've wondered the same thing! Glad you brought it up. Most of my PC are cards from 1959-1969 but have gotten back into the hobby and have modern cards too... My biggest question has been to Authenticate or Not ??? For selling purposes, is it a must ?

Your question, i think it's a preference and PSA is like the "Grandfather" of the hobby ///

[wheeler281]

BVG is a sub graded service offered for vintage and regular cards with lighter expectations and also graders are less stringent when it comes to critiquing.

PSA is straight up and does not offer that service

So apples to apples would be BGS vs PSA. However even then PSA is king when it comes vintage cards imo

[Millerzeit]

Thanks Wheeler281 ... I really appreciate the feedback and honesty!

[whitney777]

Thanks for the comparison. I also was wondering.

[sickmantz]

It was always my understanding that BGS was too tough on vintage cards, so that's why Beckett created the BVG service, so that vintage cards wouldn't be unfairly marked down for flaws inherent to older cards. It's also my understanding that BVG doesn't offer subgrades because with vintage cards, subgrades tend to shed a negative light on the card, when it's really the overall condition of the card that's most important.

I know for vintage cards, PSA is preferred for grading purposes, but I'm not sure I agree with you why the BVG card would receive so much less money on the market. The quality of the cards above, for example, is basically identical. It's not worth an extra $65 for the name PSA IMO. When I do get my vintage cards graded, though, I will probably go with PSA.