Altered vs Damaged… What’s the Difference? + Griffey Controversy + Grading Reality Check

This segment pushes the conversation into some of the toughest questions in the hobby—where definitions break down and gray areas take over. With David Chase, Joe Poirot, Chris McGill, and Josh Adams still on the panel, the discussion circles back to eye appeal… but this time through the lens of alteration, intent, and ethics. It starts with a deceptively simple question: Should altered cards ever receive eye appeal stickers? From there, things get complicated quickly: If a card looks amazing but is altered, what are you actually rewarding? Does eye appeal exist independently from originality? Would stickers unintentionally encourage further alteration? Then comes one of the wildest scenarios: A collector intentionally damaging an 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card to create a PSA 1… because PSA 1s can be rarer and more valuable than mid-grade copies That opens up a deeper conversation: Is intentional damage a form of alteration? Does intent matter more than outcome? Where do we draw the line between natural wear and manufactured condition? The segment also digs into the core purpose of grading: Is grading really about condition… or about trust? Is authentication the most important function? How consistent are grading outcomes, really? And one of the strongest ideas to come out of the discussion:A lot of what we call “alteration” isn’t just about the act—it’s about whether or not it’s disclosed. Would the market behave differently if full transparency existed? Is concealment the real issue, not the alteration itself? This is where the hobby gets uncomfortable—but also where it gets real. A fitting end to a marathon episode that challenged assumptions at every turn. Enjoy the show? Follow or subscribe on your podcast platform so you don’t miss upcoming episodes. Pick up a copy of Pops & Comps on Amazon to better understand the supply and demand forces driving the sports card market. Take the Hobby Spectrum assessment at HobbySpectrum.com to discover your collector profile, join the directory, and connect with collectors who think and collect like you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices