Greetings again.

I am looking for advice as to whether I should have my one and only 12 back sent in for grading.
My 12-b Palitoy Darth Vader.
It has been with me since 1992 in the same condition and has been my only real collectible item for Star Wars that might carry some weight.

I know it isn't in the greatest shape, but it isn't horrible either.
I have had in a Protech case since I got it and it displays very nicely IMHO!!
I have a bunch of images below showing everything.

Overall, the bubble is clear and no dents but a some scuff marks, but no gouges or cuts.
The bubble is completely secure all around.
Three of the 4 cornres have creases that can be seen on the fron and back side.
The bottom left corner has started to separate and to me that is by far the worst part of it.
The card is unpunched and looks very good to me.

I would love to have this graded so it helps keep it in its current state as well as protect it from further wear.
And a bonus would be for whomever I leave this to when I'm gone would know what it is exactly.

However, I am not sure I would want to spend the money grading it if it would receive harsh marks for it's condition.
It would be forever labeled its lowest grade which is the card obviously. This could devalue it in some people's eyes I am sure no matter how good the fig or bubble is.

So I ask you folks... should I have this graded? Would you have this graded?
Aside from cost, are there any other CONS to having it graded?
Aside from archival purposes are there other PROS to having it graded?

cheers and thanks for your time folks!
This is becoming an obsession!

IMAGES START HERE:

The only reason to Afagrade stuff is if you think about selling them.
It's always a risk to send a moc ,specially on it's way back when The bubble is insecured inside The case.
Buy a acrylic case instead

If you are looking to sell then absolutely if you are looking to keep it for your own private collection then keep it ungraded

So far it seems to not do it. Fine by me as it will save a pretty penny to do it anyway.

The acrylic case seems like a great idea and long over due.

However, it seems that most I have seen have the ledge/holding part on the sides stop before the corners.
Are there any out there that the sides extend further down to help better preserve and protect the corners?
They all seem like a sliding into box. is the only option Are there any press down to close types that would grasp all 4 sides entirely?

I won't say I searched for days, weeks or months for them, but I never saw any like that.
Its part of the reason I ended up with a protech one which holds all of the sides down, including the corners. I basically fits like a glove.

Grading aside, is the condition horrible? I will never sell it, but would it have any value to a serious collector. I highly doubt it, but I am curious since I consider it my only prize figure.

cheers!

Grade. Nope.

yeah-sus wrote:

The only reason to Afagrade stuff is if you think about selling them.
It's always a risk to send a moc ,specially on it's way back when The bubble is insecured inside The case.
Buy a acrylic case instead

well said

As for further protecting the corners, once in a case it's not moving around & shouldn't be damaged further.

I hate graded figures but thats just my two cents. So I always say no.