Battle of the Graded Kershaws aka Which Would You Prefer In Your Collection

Let's get ready to rumble.....

2012 Allen Ginter

Card Grade : Mint 9.0

Autograph Grade : Gem Mint 10

VS.

2014 Allen Ginter

Card Grade : Gem Mint 9.5

Autograph Grade : 9.0

I am lucky to say that both of these cards reside in my collection. The 2012 was "purchased" on eBay in graded form while the 2014 one was also "purchased" on eBay albeit in raw form and then submitted by me to BGS for its grade. While both great they both are irritating in their own small way and that is why I am doing this post as I am curious to which you the reader would prefer in your collection if you had to have only one. The year does not come into play at all here but the grade is the matter at hand.

As most of you know by now I am a stickler for gem mint returns on my card submissions so while the 2012 is not gem mint is it "better" than the 2014 which is docked by the auto grade of 9 even though the card is an overall gem mint 9.5? For those that don't the reason the autograph received a 9 instead of a 10 it is because the autograph goes to the edge of the card. Yeah, I think that is a stupid reason for docking a card. The other reason an autograph can earn a lesser grade is if there is streaking which I can understand and support but the "edging" of an autograph I just don't see nor like.

I have talked to a few people that rather have the autograph to be a 10 and the card grade to be lower than the other way around as they think the autograph is the most important part of the card. I agree when it comes to the streaking issue but what of this 2014 with an edged autograph? I really want my cards to be gem mint but in the case of the autograph being part of the card it really is an eye sore seeing that 9.5 tainted by that 9 next to it. I am leaning more and more into the camp of I rather see a 9/10 than a 9.5/9. Which would you rather have? Curious minds would like to know.

Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

-Penguin