u/mattseesgray

Had a rough day, and I’ve been sitting on a Topps Flagship Jumbo Hobby box for about 4-5 months. Decided to open some basketball cards with my lady to make a crappy day better. My girlfriend ALWAYS pulls the heat. Pulled a Cooper Flagg auto /50 and a Dylan Harper case hit in the same pack. 🔥 🔥 🔥

Sleeved, top loaded, and put safely in my binder immediately. As soon as PSA opens back up, I’ll be sending the Cooper Flagg. This made a rough day a whole hell of a lot better. Happy 4th everyone!

My older brother passed away around 15 years ago, and I inherited a bunch of comics and sports cards from his collection. Around a year ago, I started collecting sports/trading cards myself.

I have some nice cards that I’ve pulled, but some of my brother’s cards are REALLY nice, and I’m curious about how to store high value cards. My brother had a 2003 Topps Chrome LeBron RC that he had in stored in one of those old “screw down” card protectors, which I had heard isn’t the best way to store cards.

It was in a penny sleeve the entire time, and I removed it from the old screw down protector. Since then, I have changed the penny sleeve (super carefully) and stored it in a top loader. That card is now stored in a Vault X top loader binder, which I store zipped up and vertically in a cool/dry place.

My question is, is it safe to store a high value card like this long term? I realize grading the card is the best way to preserve the condition of the card. However, due to all the craziness, scandals, and wait times with PSA I have been holding off on grading it. It very likely wouldn’t get a 10 any way, because it’s probably over the 55/45 centering tolerance.

Is there a better way to store a high value card like this, that doesn’t involve grading it. I’d be curious to hear what the best practices are. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!