Hey guys. Wanted your opinions. I recently got some great returns, but one of the few downsides was my “stained” shadowless Mewtwo did not get the ST qualifier grade sadly. So now I have a mint Mewtwo with a PSA 6 grade because the holo was considered damaged instead of stained. Honestly, I guess it technically is damaged, but in a very specific way that affects all of them due to the packaging, which is why some get the ST qualifier.
I would love to have the ST qualifier because I think it shows some nice history and reflects that it is specifically the theme deck card, but I also know I can’t control PSA. Should I take it out of the case, keep it in my private collection or would someone still have interest in it as is and sell it? I’m very indecisive.
Anyone have input on how frequently PSA gives the ST qualifier? Is it worth an attempted regrade? I don’t want to try again if there is no shot.
For the record, I know to buy the card and not the grade, but I like the grade to reflect the card in this case.
Man I feel your pain here! Same thing happened to me in my last submission on my stain haunter. It freaking sucks that it just depends on the grader who gets it, you could submit it again and get the same result. It’s a 50/50 really, flip a coin to decide whether to send again. Mine was 10 potential, but a most likely a 9. I know they still grade these higher then 6 cause there are 9’s and 10’s with newer and same time frame cert numbers. I haven’t decided what I’m doing with mine yet. Take care bud!
I recently graded my stained mewtwo, it came back with no qualifier and an 8/10, which was crazy because there’s no way it was an 8 without the qualifier
Really? This is a good reminder of how a PSA grade is just one person making a totally singular opinionated call. With better training they would have more consistency with these and grade much more equally and get it right for what it is.
One would think that some day there will be a way to mark a submission for a qualifier and the grader could verify within a database that it is valid, but that would only make sense I suppose.
I graded both shadowless Ninetales and Hitmonchan from theme decks and they got PSA 5s. I’d prefer PSA 8-9 (ST), but since I can tell they were from theme decks it doesn’t bother me that PSA can’t designate them correctly. I would be interested if you were looking to sell, so you’d have at least one potential buyer.
You paid $10 to encase a $20-$30 card. Enjoy it for what it is don’t stress about what is on the label. If it is a mint stained card to you then enjoy it for that. I don’t get why people get so hung up on not getting external validation for what they see in their own cards when it comes to qualifiers (or lack thereof) especially.
@gottaketchumall, I agree with all that you said except that it’s a $20 card. Please refer me to any shadowless theme deck holos in that price range and I’ll buy them up.
@charizandrew, obvious “sold listing” disclaimer in that you can’t buy them right now, but when they go to auction they are frequently at or below where I mentioned. PSA 6’s at least. Not sure if they are “genuine” PSA 6’s or stained mint ones like shown in OP. In either case though I think the point was made.
@gottaketchumall, there’s a difference between a PSA 6 and a PSA 6 with a stain that should be designated as PSA 8-9 (ST). We shouldn’t get hung up on how PSA labels the cards, but I do consider them to be different and have different values. I’d pay $100 for this card right now, but I wouldn’t pay even close to that for a “genuine” PSA 6 as you call it.
Wht’s funny is that from the list of sales that @gottaketchumall posted, the only PSA 6 to sell for near $30 was a stain Mewtwo. I can’t see the listing, but can tell it was a Stained card. It does show at least a small premium and it wasn’t even noted in the sale title.
@charizandrew, I appreciate the offer. I’m still mulling over if I wish to try again one more time.
This ST grade hold significance as a mark in pokemon history in my opinion. It is unique to the theme deck holos and shows the age because this only happened to the packs that went unopened where the “glue” for the sealed wrap stained the card. It’s damage, but it’s significant to the history of the hobby and in my opinion should be recognized for it.
This separates it from a random ST grade since it applies to all the still unopened shadowless holos in theme decks basically.
