What cards will PSA not grade?
PSA won't grade cards that are altered (trimmed, cleaned, recolored), unofficial/counterfeit, or certain error/obscure cards like some Japanese promos or 1955 Topps unperforated double headers, though their criteria can shift, rejecting even common cards if they don't meet condition standards or due to specific print errors (like missing text/stamps), often resulting in an "Authentic Altered" holder or a return if they don't meet minimum grade requests.Can PSA refuse to grade a card?
PSA guarantees that all cards submitted to it shall be graded in accordance with PSA grading standards and under the procedures of PSA.Can any card be PSA graded?
No, PSA won't grade any card; they reject items with tampering (trimming, restoration, recoloring, etc.) or questionable authenticity, but will grade most legitimate sports, TCG, and non-sports cards, even hand-cut ones from panels, as long as they aren't cut from sheets that were issued in regular form, and cards must be standard size and in decent condition to avoid being rejected for extreme damage like burning or tearing.Does PSA encapsulate all graded cards?
PSA encapsulates every trading card in a tamper-evident, sonically sealed case. These attractive, hard plastic cases provide protection from pressure and most damage.Can you get a PSA 10 with a white spot?
You might get a PSA 10 with a tiny white spot, especially if it's a microscopic printing flaw, only visible under light, or on the border/back, but it's risky because PSA 10 is for Gem Mint cards needing flawlessness, so even slight whitening or a noticeable dot often drops a card to a PSA 9, depending heavily on the grader's discretion and other card aspects like centering.5 Key Things I've Learned Grading Sports Cards
What stops a card from being PSA-10?
A PSA Gem Mint 10 card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doesn't impair the overall appeal of the card.Can you get a PSA 10 with 60/40 centering?
Yes, traditionally a PSA 10 Gem Mint card could have 60/40 front centering and 75/25 back centering, but PSA updated its standards in early 2025, generally requiring closer to 55/45 front centering, though a very slight deviation might be overlooked for perfect cards at the grader's discretion, making 60/40 a riskier bet for a 10 now. While 60/40 was the old norm, the new guidelines lean stricter for that top grade, emphasizing eye appeal and stricter measurements.Do collectors prefer CGC or PSA?
PSA is the most well-known card grading company, having graded cards since 1991. It is the gold standard for sports and Pokémon card collectors.How much does 1 PSA grading cost?
Grading one card with PSA costs anywhere from around $28 (Value service for <$500 cards) up to hundreds or thousands for high-value, fast-turnaround options, depending heavily on the card's potential value, how fast you need it back (turnaround time), and if you have a membership. A standard non-member submission for a common card starts around $28 (Value Service) with a long turnaround, while faster services like Express or Super Express for valuable cards can be $150+ or $275+, plus shipping, with much quicker times.Can people fake PSA graded cards?
Yes, fake PSA graded cards are a significant problem, with counterfeit slabs and even fake cards inside real-looking cases becoming common and convincing, requiring collectors to use UV lights, magnification, and check security features like watermarks and engravings on the case and label to spot them. Scammers often replicate legitimate certification numbers, so verifying the label's details and security features is crucial, not just the number itself.Is PSA at Collect a Con?
Yes, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) attends Collect-A-Con events to accept submissions for grading and authentication, but typically not for immediate, on-site grading; you drop off your items, and they handle the process, often through an authorized dealer or partner for streamlined submissions, sometimes with autograph authentication available on-site.What Pokémon card is worth $60,000?
A Trainer No. 3 card from the 1999 Super Secret Battle is a famous Pokémon card known to sell for around $60,000 due to its extreme rarity, awarded only to the third-place winner of that exclusive Japanese tournament. Other cards like the Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind (potentially $65k+) or certain Charizard variants can also reach or exceed this value, with high-grade promotional and tournament cards commanding premium prices.Is PSA 1 or 10 better?
PSA Grading Standards- Numerical Grades For Trading Cards.
- GEM-MT 10: GEM MINT. A PSA Gem Mint 10 card is a virtually perfect card. ...
- MINT 9: MINT. ...
- NM-MT 8: NEAR MINT-MINT. ...
- NM 7: NEAR MINT. ...
- EX-MT 6: EXCELLENT-MINT. ...
- EX 5: EXCELLENT. ...
- PR 1: POOR.
Does PSA accept sealed cards?
Yes, PSA grades sealed cards, but they grade the packaging/wrapper and not the actual card inside; to get the card graded, you must submit it out of the seal, or get PSA's permission to open it, as grading the seal itself assesses the plastic's condition (corners, wrinkles, toning) not the card's surface. They use a different, larger slab for sealed items, and many collectors prefer to remove the card for a standard grade of the card itself.Is Gamestop still doing PSA grading?
Yes, GameStop still offers PSA grading for trading cards through a partnership where they act as an authorized drop-off point, handling submission, packaging, and return for standard-sized sports and gaming cards, making it easier for customers to send cards to PSA without direct membership, though experience can vary by store location.Is PSA grading harder now?
“It seems like it's a little harder to get 8s, 9s and 10s than it used to. But PSA has more scrutiny. If the card is worth more money, they have to be more careful.”What is cheaper, CGC or PSA?
Yes, PSA-graded cards generally sell for more than CGC-graded cards of the same condition due to PSA's larger market share, perceived stricter grading (especially for vintage), and higher demand, making PSA slabs more liquid; however, CGC's newer Pristine 10s can sometimes rival PSA 10s, and some collectors prefer CGC's sub-grades and modern slab aesthetics, especially for newer cards.Why are PSA 10 so rare?
Poor centering can lead to the exposure of white borders, which can negatively impact the card's grade. This level of precision requires near-perfect printing and cutting during the manufacturing process, making PSA 10 cards inherently rare.What does a PSA 7 look like?
A PSA 7 (Near Mint) card looks great at first glance but shows minor wear upon closer inspection, with slight corner fraying, minor surface scratches, maybe a tiny print flaw, and slight off-centering (around 70/30 to 75/25 front), while retaining most original gloss, indicating a high-quality, slightly used collectible.Is a CGC 9.5 now a 10?
Yes, CGC Cards updated their grading scale in 2023, making their former Gem Mint 9.5s equivalent to the new Gem Mint 10 grade, with many collectors taking advantage of a reholder special to convert them, effectively making old 9.5s new 10s in their system. While the old blue-label 9.5s are now considered 10s, CGC also introduced a higher "Pristine 10" for perfect cards, so a "true" perfect grade now often means a Pristine 10, but the 9.5s are generally recognized as the standard Gem Mint 10.Should I crack a PSA 9?
Whether you should crack a PSA 9 depends on your goal: crack if you're confident it's a Gem Mint 10 candidate (especially modern cards) for huge profit, but sell the 9 if it's older or visually imperfect, as it adds value over raw, fills binders nicely, and avoids the risk of a lower grade like an 8 or 9,. Modern cards often look like 9s but grade as 10s, making cracking more common; older cards have more variation, so a 9 is often a keeper for a binder.Is BGS or PSA better?
Neither BGS (Beckett) nor PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is definitively "better"; they serve different collector goals, with PSA generally favored for maximizing resale value due to brand recognition and liquidity, while BGS is preferred for detailed precision and achieving perfect grades (Black Labels), often considered stricter, especially for modern cards where its sub-grades (corners, edges, surface, centering) offer deeper insight, making it great for personal collection or chasing top-tier perfection.How close is a CGC 10 to a PSA 10?
CGC 10 GEM MINT is the equivalent of a PSA 9. PSA has their 10 grade only as one tier (PSA 10). As CGC 10 white label is closer to a PSA 9 condition as it is techinically a 9+. A CGC 10 pristine is considered a PSA 10 or higher (BGS black label) in a 10+ condition.Does PSA tell you grade before shipping?
Yes, PSA tells you the grades online or in their app before shipping, typically after grading and quality checks are complete, allowing you to see them in the "Grading Complete" or "Assembly" stage before they are mailed back. You'll usually get an email notification when grades are ready, then you can use the app for an interactive reveal or check on the PSA website to manage shipping destinations, making decisions on where to send them (home, Vault, or auction).Are PSA 10s perfect?
Yes, a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) is considered the best grade for overall perfection and market value in card collecting, representing a virtually flawless card with sharp corners, focus, and gloss, though Beckett's (BGS) Black Label 10 is even rarer for a perfect 10 across all subgrades. While a 10 signifies top condition, the actual value difference between a 9 and 10 can vary greatly, with some collectors finding a PSA 9 or BGS 9.5 a better value for a near-perfect card without the extreme premium of a 10, especially for investment or collecting personal favorites.
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