The card was produced by Canadian company O-Pee-Chee, and it shows Gretzky in his original Edmonton Oilers uniform.
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The grading company PSA said this Gretzky specimen was a Gem Mint 10, the highest grade for cards. Look closer, though; actually, let some other eagle-eyed folks explain it:
Seems they’re right on both counts. The edges of the card seem almost frayed, even without magnification. The centering of the photo isn’t exact, either — more like 60-40 to one side.
PSA has a simple explanation for its grade:
Basically, O-Pee-Chee’s cards were made in such a way that grading companies essentially have to use a sliding scale. That’s why the one with the fewest flaws can sell in the mid-six figures.
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To compare Gretzky’s card with high-grade iconic cards in other sports, a Honus Wagner T-206 card from 1909 sold for $2.1 million at auction in 2012; a Mickey Mantle Topps rookie card from 1952 sold for $525,800 in December; a Michael Jordan rookie card from 1986 sold for $100,000 in 2011; and a 1948 card of NBA legend George Mikan sold for $403,664, also in December.
