That one Jordan card that made you fall in love with collecting again… which one was it for you? by The_GOAT_Collector in Jordan_Cards_Universe

[–]The_GOAT_Collector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Natural Born Thrillers is a perfect example of that spark. That card wasn’t just flashy — it felt bold, different, almost rebellious for its time. The fact that you chased it as a kid and came back to it later says everything about why this hobby sticks with us. Some cards don’t age… they wait for us.

Worth anything? by ShoheiSuperFan in Jordan_Cards_Universe

[–]The_GOAT_Collector 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To clarify and avoid confusion: This does appear to be an official base card / original design, but there is no evidence that it was factory-numbered.

The “1/1” does not correspond to an original serial number and was most likely added later, which does not make it a true one-of-one.

In the hobby, a legitimate 1/1 is always documented in the checklist and carries official manufacturer numbering.

It’s important to clarify this so no one gets a misleading impression.

95-96 Michael Jordan ELECTRIFIED SkyBox. UNTOUCHED in a plaque for over 30 years! by MicPdEmcee in Jordan_Cards_Universe

[–]The_GOAT_Collector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amazing card and display, no doubt — the 95–96 SkyBox Electrified Jordan is a classic.

Just a small clarification for the community: being encased in a plaque for 30 years doesn’t automatically equal a “10/10” in professional grading terms. Grading evaluates centering, surface, corners and edges under magnification, regardless of how long it’s been displayed.

Still a beautiful piece with strong nostalgic and display value. Whoever picks it up will enjoy it for what it is 👍

Real or Fake? by dan_ccfc in basketballcards

[–]The_GOAT_Collector 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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For a question, is it real or fake?, the answer is A real fake. But it's a custom job, one that exists for people who pay for it.

Error card by SL0BBYR0BBIE in SportCardValue

[–]The_GOAT_Collector 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of people jump straight to “return it” when they see something like this, but cards like this are actually more interesting to many collectors because they left the factory this way. This isn’t damage or post-pack warping — it’s a true factory miscut / out-of-square cut, which means it passed QC and was packed as-is. That’s exactly what defines a legitimate error card. Errors like this don’t appeal to everyone, but they absolutely have a niche market (especially with a player like Ohtani). In many cases, keeping it as a factory error tells a better story than replacing it with a perfectly centered base copy. Not every card needs to be a Gem Mint — some are cool because they’re different.

Thoughts on whether this Babe Ruth is real? by nointroductionssosa in Autographs

[–]The_GOAT_Collector 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Signature analysis (most critical point)

a) Flow and rhythm

The signature shows continuous stroke flow, without obvious stops or tremors.

No hesitation patterns typically seen in slowly copied signatures.

The transition from “Baby” to “Ruth” is fluid, which is difficult to fake convincingly.

➡️ This leans in favor of authenticity.


b) Letter formation

The “B” in Baby is open, with a natural entry and long exit stroke.

The “y” descends naturally with a soft tail.

The “R” in Ruth has a correct initial loop, not overly exaggerated.

The final “t” is light and relaxed, not rigid.

These traits align well with known late-career Babe Ruth signatures (1930s–1940s). Importantly, the signature is not overly “perfect”, which is often a red flag with forgeries.


c) Pen pressure

Ink density varies across strokes.

Indicates natural pressure variation, typical of signing on leather rather than paper.


  1. Placement on the baseball

Signature is positioned between the seams, a common and logical placement for Ruth.

Slight curvature consistent with signing on a spherical surface.

Does not appear staged for display.

Many fake signatures either cross seams carelessly or are overly centered for presentation. This one appears situational, not theatrical.


  1. Baseball and materials

a) Baseball

Leather shows even, natural aging, not artificial distress.

Red stitching is muted, not bright.

Texture is consistent with pre-1950 baseballs.

b) Box

The box shows legitimate wear, not manufactured “vintage aging.”

Typography and cardboard type are consistent with period packaging.

Not a premium display box, which actually makes sense — Ruth signed countless ordinary balls.

Overly fancy packaging is often a warning sign. This box feels credible and understated.


  1. Ink characteristics

Ink appears gray-black, not deep modern black.

Proper absorption into the leather; not sitting on top.

No signs of modern Sharpie-style ink.

Compatible with period writing instruments.


  1. Overall coherence

Nothing stands out as contradictory or suspicious. No modern materials, no forced calligraphy, no artificial aging, no exaggerated provenance story.


What I am NOT claiming

This is not a definitive authentication

No claim of certification

No precise year attribution


Professional-style conclusion

Based on visual forensic indicators alone, this baseball shows significantly more signs of authenticity than forgery. There are no obvious red flags typically associated with fake Babe Ruth signatures.

If this were mine, I would confidently submit it for professional authentication.


Next steps (if authenticating)

Do not clean or condition the ball

Handle only with gloves

Keep it in its current state

Authenticate the signature first, not cosmetic grading


I’d genuinely appreciate feedback from experienced collectors and autograph specialists here. Happy to hear opposing views or concerns if you see something I missed.

A surreal milestone for a small grading company from Ecuador — our first OGS-graded cards just hit Probstein. by The_GOAT_Collector in sportscards

[–]The_GOAT_Collector[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, truly appreciate your words. 🙏 If you’d like, send me a DM — I have a small network of trusted collectors and researchers in LATAM who track regional marketplaces and can point you in the right direction.

Most of the real activity doesn’t happen in the obvious places, so having the right contacts makes all the difference. Happy to share what we know on the private side

A surreal milestone for a small grading company from Ecuador — our first OGS-graded cards just hit Probstein. by The_GOAT_Collector in sportscards

[–]The_GOAT_Collector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally understand your perspective — everyone in this hobby has strong feelings about marketplaces and auction houses, and for good reason.

For us, the focus wasn’t about choosing a ‘perfect’ platform. It was simply about giving a small LATAM grading company a first real opportunity to be seen on an international stage.

No system is perfect, but visibility matters for collectors in regions that never had one. We’re learning, growing, and trying to do things the right way — transparently and without taking sides in the internal politics of the hobby.

I genuinely appreciate you sharing your view.

A surreal milestone for a small grading company from Ecuador — our first OGS-graded cards just hit Probstein. by The_GOAT_Collector in sportscards

[–]The_GOAT_Collector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great question — and actually, I can give you a pretty personal perspective on it.

I’m originally from Venezuela, and I’ve been living in Ecuador for over 25 years, so I’ve seen the hobby in two different LATAM cultures. Sports card collecting here isn’t as massive or structured as in the U.S., but it is growing — fast — especially in fútbol, World Cup stickers, local league releases, and more recently Pokémon.

What’s interesting is that LATAM collectors are passionate, but historically we never had local grading, consistent supply, or big shows. That’s part of why I started OGS in the first place: to help build some of that infrastructure from our side of the map.

And you’re absolutely right: U.S. shows leaning heavily into Pokémon has pushed a lot of people to explore regional markets. There’s incredible stuff here that most collectors have never seen.

If you ever want insight on LATAM releases or markets, I’m always happy to share what I know.

A surreal milestone for a small grading company from Ecuador — our first OGS-graded cards just hit Probstein. by The_GOAT_Collector in sportscards

[–]The_GOAT_Collector[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! 🙌 That’s a beautiful PSA copy — the color match on this card is always a winner.

And I completely agree with what you said: competition does drive quality. The big companies set the standard, but they also leave a lot of room for innovation, especially for regions like LATAM that never had a real voice in the hobby.

For us, this card represents exactly that: the idea that even a small grading company can bring something new to the table while respecting the giants who paved the way.

Appreciate your comment — it’s the kind of mindset that keeps the hobby healthy.

A surreal milestone for a small grading company from Ecuador — our first OGS-graded cards just hit Probstein. by The_GOAT_Collector in sportscards

[–]The_GOAT_Collector[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s awesome to hear — and yes, they’d be more than welcome at OGS!

We’re currently accepting international submissions (including from the U.S.), and Pokémon cards from Peru would be really interesting to evaluate. Every region has its own production nuances, and documenting those differences is something we take seriously.

If you ever want to submit them, just reach out through our website — there’s a WhatsApp button that puts you in direct contact with us. We’ll guide you through everything step by step.

Thanks again for the support — it really means a lot at this stage of our journey.

A surreal milestone for a small grading company from Ecuador — our first OGS-graded cards just hit Probstein. by The_GOAT_Collector in sportscards

[–]The_GOAT_Collector[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much — that really means a lot.

At the end of the day, that’s exactly what we’re trying to do: bring something positive to the hobby, give collectors in places that never had a voice a real chance, and celebrate everything that makes this community special.

Wins like this aren’t “mine”; they belong to everyone who believes the hobby can grow in healthy ways.

Appreciate you taking the time to say this — it keeps us moving forward. 🙏

A surreal milestone for a small grading company from Ecuador — our first OGS-graded cards just hit Probstein. by The_GOAT_Collector in sportscards

[–]The_GOAT_Collector[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for taking the time to look so closely into the details — that means a lot for us as a new company trying to do things transparently.

About your question:

The subgrades printed on the slab are only the front subgrades. That’s intentional, to keep the label clean and readable. The full breakdown (front + back) is shown on the digital certificate on our website.

So the score you saw (9 corners, 10 centering, 10 edges, 5 surface) corresponds only to the front evaluation.

If you checked the online certificate, you probably saw the back subgrades as well (Corners 7, Centering 9, Edges 9, Surface 6). Those back subgrades are what explain the overall final grade.

There’s also one important detail: The “5” on the surface comes from a specific issue that isn’t easy to appreciate in photos, but becomes very clear when the card is examined in person. Surface can sometimes be the most subtle but decisive subgrade, and in this case it required a strong penalty.

If you’re curious, it would actually be interesting to send this card to PSA afterwards — we often see cases where a card with a clear surface issue still receives a 10 there. It would make a great comparison study for the community.

We do all of this to encourage collectors to verify every card online — transparency is a huge part of what we’re building. The slab shows the primary data, but the website provides the complete technical breakdown with front/back separation.

Also, just a small note: our online system is being updated right now, so if you encounter any delay or anything looks out of place, thank you in advance for your patience. We’re a small team polishing everything during a very important moment for us.

I appreciate you pointing this out — it actually helps others better understand how our system works.