What is Collect -A,-E, and -S?
These are special designations that Fanatics Collect provides based on our opinion of the eye appeal of the card relative to other examples of that card in that grade. Please refer to the Eye Appeal section on our website to learn more.
What is the difference between Eye Appeal and a technical grade?
The technical grade assigned by the grading companies is determined by a number of factors including surface and corner wear, surface presentation, centering, and others. Within each factor, there is a range of acceptable conditions to earn a particular grade. For example, according to PSA’s stated standards, a NM-MT 8 can tolerate centering registration of 65/35 or better. As such, cards centered both 50/50 and 65/35 are eligible to receive a technical grade of NM-MT 8.
Eye Appeal refers to a card’s visual presentation, or how attractive the card is to the eye. Using the example described above, while a card with 65/35 centering and 50/50 centering are both eligible to earn a grade of NM-MT 8, the card with 50/50 centering is more visually attractive than the card with 65/35 centering.
How does a card get reviewed for these designations, and how is the determination made?
Each vintage card (pre-1987) submitted to Fanatics Collect with an estimated value of more than $250 is automatically reviewed by our team for the Eye Appeal designation for free.
A key component of this program is that Fanatics Collect makes the determination without bias. Fanatics Collect does not charge submitters for this review service. The potential for any bias is further removed by doing the Eye Appeal review after all auction items are sorted by sport, issue, and year, which shields the review team from any submitter information and helps ensure the evaluation is based on visual presentation only.
How much does Fanatics Collect Eye Appeal cost?
Fanatics Collect Eye Appeal is free for all pre-1987 sports cards with a market value of at least $250 submitted to Fanatics Collect. Each such card is automatically assessed for Eye Appeal designation.
What are the three levels of Fanatics Collect Eye Appeal?
The three Fanatics Collect Eye Appeal levels are:
Collect-A (Exceptional) - Top 30%
On average, cards that receive our Above Average designation possess qualities inherent to approximately the top 30-16% of all examples of this specific trading card, assessed at this specific professional grade level.
Collect-E (Above Average) - Top 15%
On average, cards that receive our Above Average designation possess qualities inherent to approximately the top 15-6% of all examples of this specific trading card, assessed at this specific professional grade level.
Collect-S (Superior) - Top 5%
On average, cards that receive our Above Average designation possess qualities inherent to approximately the top 5% of all examples of this specific trading card, assessed at this specific professional grade level.
Does Fanatics Collect charge for the review or charge different auction fees for Eye Appeal-designated cards?
No, Fanatics Collect does not charge for this service, offer a different fee structure, or provide any other benefit for the service that could cause our assessment to be biased.
What training does Fanatics Collect have to assess eye appeal?
Accepting and selling tens of thousands of items each month affords Fanatics Collect a unique and comprehensive perspective on the range of visual presentations for each issue.
How does Fanatics Collect address the variance with a grade (e.g., the range of a PSA 6)?
Although eye appeal has been a concept discussed in the market since its inception, Fanatics Collect has taken the lead in quantifying it and adding predictability to the variance in market value resulting from eye appeal range. Eye appeal within a grade can vary depending on several factors, including centering, surface color, etc. It especially applies to cards in sets that present significant centering, color, and other challenges.
Did the third-party grading companies give Fanatics Collect permission to designate cards with an Eye Appeal sticker? What was their involvement in the creation of these designations?
Fanatics Collect relies heavily on the expertise of the professional grading companies PSA, SGC, and Beckett. Fanatics Collect sought counsel from all three companies independently surrounding eye appeal and its long-standing effect on market value. Their awareness of this venture was a prerequisite to our willingness to create the Eye Appeal scale and unveil the designations.
Can a card get all stickers?
No. Cards with above-average eye appeal will earn a Collect-A designation, cards with exceptional eye appeal will earn a Collect-E designation, and cards with superior eye appeal will earn a Collect-S designation.
How did Fanatics Collect estimate the distribution of eye appeal across the population?
Although these figures will always be estimates and there is an inherently qualitative nature to the analysis, the distribution of visual presentation was estimated based on Fanatics Collect’s extensive knowledge of the market and exposure to more graded cards than any other venue.
Do the Collect-A, -E, and -S and designations impact the registries?
No. These designations are simply intended to call attention to cards with excellent eye appeal.
What happens if I have cards with a PWCC Eye Appeal sticker?
PWCC Eye Appeal stickers will still be honored and denoted with a symbol on auction and Buy Now marketplace listings.
Owners are encouraged to submit cards with PWCC Eye Appeal stickers for review and crossover to new Fanatics Collect Eye Appeal stickers. All cards with existing PWCC stickers will be automatically assessed for a new sticker when submitted to Fanatics Collect. If eligible, your card will get an updated Fanatics Collect Eye Appeal sticker.
If your card is not eligible to cross over, or if it is assessed to be eligible for a downgraded sticker, you will be notified so you can decide if you want to keep the PWCC Eye Appeal sticker or update to the Fanatics Collect sticker.
How do I submit my card with a PWCC Eye Appeal sticker for crossover to a Fanatics Collect Eye Appeal sticker?
To submit your cards with a PWCC Eye Appeal sticker for review, visit your vault and submit an edit request.
Are cards with Fanatics Collect Eye Appeal worth more?
Cards that receive the Fanatics Collect Eye Appeal designation can sell for higher prices given their ranking with the grade.
Does Fanatics Collect offer Eye Appeal assessment for modern cards?
No, Fanatics Collect does not offer Eye Appeal assessment for modern cards.
Modern cards present less variability within a grade than vintage cards because they are newer and typically have not endured the same physical challenges. While Fanatics Collect does not formally identify modern cards with above-average eye appeal, collectors will often consider eye appeal on modern cards when making purchasing decisions. Cards presenting above-average centering, color, corners, and edges for their grade may generate more interest.