Choosing the “best” cards for grading sounds like a no-brainer. But in reality, picking the right raw cards is not that easy if you are not familiar with PSA’s grading process and standards. In other words, if you are preparing your first submission chances are high that your “perfect” PSA 10 contestant comes back as a Near Mint 7. Facing the reality can be hard. However, getting familiar with PSA’s grading standards is not hard and a good future investment. So what does PSA look for when grading?
Answer:
In short, PSA is mainly looking for 4 visual elements during their grading process: card centering, surface, corners and edges. Moreover, the overall appeal of a card is also considered by the grader and an important factor for the overall grade given.
Continue reading, if you want to learn more details about what a PSA grader does look for when grading.
Topics of this blog post:
- PSA grading factors
- PSA grading standards
- Conclusion
PSA grading factors
What does PSA grader look for when grading? Four visual elements and the overall appeal of a card. Sounds simple.
However, each visual element needs to be understood and checked in the right way to make a good first prediction of the overall grade.
In addition, the overall appeal seems fuzzy. In reality, this is the tricky one to predict as it is being made while considering centering, surface, corners and edges.
So lets deep dive into each factor:
Overall appeal
Also called eye appeal, a more soft factor PSA is looking for during grading. In short, the PSA grader examines the overall appearance of the card as a whole and has some decision room for each grade.
Centering
For PSA one of the most important factors when grading a card. PSA examines the centering of the front and the reverse of a card.
For example, for a Gem Mint 10 the image must be centered on the card with a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 to 60/40 percent on the front, and 75/25 percent on the reverse.
Very handy can be the centering tool to easily measure image tolerances.
Surface
The surface of a card is often one of the hardest visual elements to judge.
To clarify, the grader is checking the card for imperfections in focus, gloss and printing. Subsequently, the card is checked for physical damage like scratches, dents, discolorations and greases.
Any imperfection and physical damage will have an impact on the overall grade of the card.
When preparing your submission, make sure that you remove the card carefully for examination. Because in most of the times you are looking through a top loader/card saver or a sleeve. Moreover, use a bright light source and a magnification glass to check the card for imperfections and physical damage.
Lastly, try to remove it only once to prevent the cards from any damage during the handling process. Additionally, don’t touch it as finger prints will affect the grade.
Corners & Edges
You will only get a Gem Mint 10 if the card has four perfectly sharp corners. In reality chances are high that there might be a little whitening or an imperfection on one of the corners. Unfortunately, any imperfection will disqualify the card for a PSA 10.
When it comes to the edges of a card make sure that you check the card all around the outside. And don’t forget to inspect the edges from the front and reverse side. In other words, check from different angles. Lastly, look out for silvering as this will also have an impact on the overall grade.
PSA grading standards
What is PSA looking for when grading Excellent-Mint 6 up to Gem Mint 10?
Grade | Centering | Corners and Edges | Surface |
GEM-MT 10 | Front: 55/45 to 60/40 percent Back: 75/25 percent | Four perfectly sharp corners Edges: No information | Sharp focus and original gloss. Free from staining of any kind. Allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doesn’t impair the overall appeal of the card |
MINT 9 | Front: 60/40 to 65/35 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Edges: Slightly off-white borders | Only one of the following minor flaws: a very small wax stain on the reverse, a minor printing imperfection |
NM-MT 8 | Front: 60/35 to 70/30 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Corners: Slightest fraying at one or two corners Edges: Slightly off-white borders | Can exhibit the following: a very small wax stain on the reverse, a minor printing imperfection |
NM 7 | Front: 70/30 to 70/25 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Corners: Slight fraying on some corners | Can exhibit the following: Picture focus slightly out of register, most of the original gloss retained, minor printing blemish, slight wax stain on the reverse |
EX-MT 6 | Front: 80/20 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Corners: Slightly graduated frying Edges: Slight notching, some off-white borders | Can exhibit the following: a very light scratch, picture focus slightly out of register, some loss of the original gloss, minor wax stain on the reverse |
What is PSA looking for when grading Poor 1 up to Excellent 5?
Grade | Centering | Corners and Edges | Surface |
EX 5 | Front: 85/15 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Corners: Minor rounding Edges: Minor chipping, some off-white borders | Visible surface wear or printing defects Can exhibit the following: several light scratches, picture focus slightly out of register, loss of the original gloss |
VG-EX 4 | Front: 85/15 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Corners: Slightly rounded Edges: Borders slightly off-white | Modest surface wear Can exhibit the following: Light scuffing, light scratches, some original gloss retained, a light crease |
VG 3 | Front: 90/10 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Corners: Some rounding Edges: Noticeable wear, borders yellowed and/or discolored | Surface wear with light scuffing or light scratches Can exhibit the following: focus somewhat off-register, much of the original gloss lost, visible crease, slight stain on obverse, wax stain on reverse |
Good 2 | Front: 90/10 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Corners: Accelerated rounding | Surface wear starting to become obvious Can exhibit the following: scratching, scuffing, chipping of enamel, several creases, no original gloss, considerable discoloration |
FR 1.5 | Front: 90/10 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Corners: Extreme wear Edges: Borders brown and dirty | Surface with advanced stages of wear including scuffing, scratching, pitting, chipping and staining. Can exhibit the following: picture out of register, one or more heavy creases |
PR 1 | Front: 90/10 percent or better Back: 90/10 percent or better | Edges: Borders brown and dirty | Eye appeal nearly vanished Can exhibit the following: missing one or two pieces, major creases, extreme discoloration / dirtiness, noticeable warping |
Conclusion
You don’t need to be a professional grader to get a rough pre-grade before a submission. PSA does basically only look for centering, surface, corners, edges and the overall eye appeal when grading.
However, you need to educate yourself about PSA’s grading factors to understand how they are applied for each grade.
Lastly, you will get more confident in pre-grading over time as this is a learning process. If you are aiming for Gem Mint 10s, read this article!
How do you pre-grade your PSA card submission? Let me know in the comments!
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