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In this Bonus Episode, Hank and Mick begin a multi-part discussion about all things Grading. This episode is all about the beginnings of grading in the 1990s. We reminisce about how when we ran our cards store in 1993, grading was purely subjective: it was up to us to decide the grade of a card. Beckett magazine was our price guide and hobby bible.

PSA changed the game in 1991, but it wasn't until later in the '90s when the hobby got on board the grading train. Mick thinks grading is probably the single biggest change to collecting cards. It provides a universal scale which is used (and overused) to judge card condition and value.

Fun fact, by 2001 Beckett magazine had a 4 page Graded Card price guide at the back of their magazines. 4 whole pages!

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In this Episode, Hank & Mick discuss collecting Vintage vs Modern cards, and which has the better long term value. Vintage cards are all about condition: centering, corners, registration, surface etc... In 1986 Fleer, there were approximately 3 Jordan rookies in each box. They aren't rare cards - but their value is all tied up in condition. In Modern collecting, the most valuable cards are the scarce parallel cards and inserts.

Hank thinks these scarce modern cards will have great long term value. Mick is concerned with retired players vs active players, and how important is Legacy in cementing their card prices. Is long term value more closely connected to cultural significance?

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In this episode, Hank and Mick discuss everything to do with inserts and parallel cards. We kick-off sorting out what actually is an SSP, and then deep-dive about how inserts shaped the 90s era and how parallels have dominated the modern era. Hank thinks inserts have been killed by the hunt for serial cards like the gold/10 and Black 1/1s parallels. Mick has other thoughts and discusses how certain modern inserts like Color Blasts, Downtowns and Kabooms! still have huge demand with modern collectors.

We obviously love inserts and parallels, which make up the bulk of both of our collections, and you can clearly hear Hank more excited than ever when he gets to chat about this stuff. Strap yourself in for all things Inserts and Parallels!