PSA Grading Scale for Baseball Cards
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is widely considered the gold standard when it comes to third-party grading of sports cards and other collectibles. Their rigorous authentication and grading process has made PSA slabs a familiar sight to anyone actively involved in the hobby. But what do those numeric grades actually mean when it comes to the condition and value of a graded baseball card? Let’s take a deeper look at PSA’s 10-point grading scale.
mint (Gem Mint) 10
A perfect 10 grade from PSA is the holy grail for any collector. To achieve this top rating, a card must be in pristine, factory-fresh condition with no flaws whatsoever that are visible to the naked eye under a 10x loupe. Corners must be razor sharp, surfaces must be flawlessly clean with no printing defects or white spots, and the card must be perfectly cut and centered. Cards graded a PSA 10 are considered the best condition examples known to exist. Given how picky graders are, true PSA 10s are exceedingly rare for even the most common modern issues. In terms of value, PSA 10s command enormous premiums over lower grades.
mint 9
A PSA 9 grade signifies a virtually flawless card. The primary differences between a 9 and 10 are that a 9 may have very minor flaws that are not easily discernible without careful examination through a loupe. Things like one or two very faint and tiny white specs, a hairline surface print line, or corners just barely less than razor sharp keep a card from achieving the perfect 10 status. To the naked eye a 9 looks pristine. This grade still represents exceptional preservation and highly desirable condition. PSA 9s retain a big portion of the added value afforded to true mint 10s.
mint 8
PSA 8 is considered true Near Mint or grade. At this level flaws become just discernible with a loupe. An 8 grade card may have significantly less than razor sharp corners, a handful of faint printing or surface blemishes, and be ever so slightly off-center. Things a grader can pick up on but an average collector may not notice without direct comparison. Corners may be rounded to an extent. An 8 grade example still looks extremely clean and very presentable in a holder. Minor imperfections are all that separates this grade from a 9. Value remains strong relative to lower grades while still representing exceptional preservation for the issue.
Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT) 7.5
A 7.5 grade indicates a card that is right on the cusp of Near Mint and Mint status. There may be some very minor corner wear or print lines that are noticeable with a loupe but not readily apparent. Surfaces will still be bright and clean overall. A 7.5 represents a card that is still exceptionally well-preserved for the issue but has some small distinguishing wear that precludes a true Mint designation. This middle “in-between” grade retains solid value albeit less than a true Near Mint 8.
Near Mint (NM) 7
A PSA 7 signifies a Near Mint grade card. At this level flaws become readily apparent even without magnification. Corners may be noticeably rounded but still sharp. The card will have some minor wear lines, spots, or print defects visible across the surface under direct loupe examination. Very light edge wear may also be apparent. A true NM 7 still looks incredibly nice for its age and would get an impressive grade from most average collectors. Graders now have surface/corner attributes they can identify to differentiate it from a higher grade.
EX-MT 6.5
A PSA 6.5 bridges the gap between EX and Near Mint condition. This grade implies corners will show noticeable rounding and attribute wear but no actual creasing. The card will have several small print lines, spots or edge nicks detectable with a loupe. Overall brightness is still decent but flaws can be easily seen. A 6.5 remains presentable and displays above average condition relative to most examples but falls short of true Near Mint standards. Value takes a noticeable step down from a 7.
EX mint (EX-MT) 6
EX or Excellent describes a PSA 6 grade card. At this level corners will be significantly rounded but not creased. The card surfaces may have some dulling noticeable even without magnification in addition to print lines and spots across the front/back. Very minor edge creasing could also be seen. Overall the card still looks above average for the issue but wear attributes are readily apparent. A 6 grade is still considered very nice for its age and displays above average eye appeal and state of preservation compared to most survivors from its print run.
Very fine/Excellent (VF/EX) 5.5
A PSA 5.5 grade bridges the gap between Excellent and Very Fine condition. This implies corners will show clear rounding and wear but no actual creasing. Expect to see several small print lines, spots or edge nicks detectable with a loupe as well as some minor dulling. The card still maintains overall brightness and remains presentable but attributes signify it falls short of a true EX grade. Value takes a noticeable step below that of a 6.
Very fine (VF) 5
Very Fine is described at the PSA 5 grade level. Cards will show clearly rounded corners and significant wear visible even without magnification. Dulling becomes apparent across surfaces which will also reveal various print lines, handling marks and edge nicks under close examination. Occasional small creases may also be seen. A 5 grade still displays nice design appeal but flaws are easily apparent and show definite age/handling wear relative to a higher EX or NM grade. Solid condition for most survivors from its print run though value drops off versus EX or higher grades.
Fine 4
At the PSA 4 grade level corners show clear evidence of wear and rounding is significant. Dulling becomes more prominent across surfaces which will reveal numerous print lines, handling marks and edge nicks. Creases may start becoming slightly more prevalent. Toning or staining could potentially surface as well at this grade level. Attributes clearly signify age/handling wear versus higher grades above but design/colors remain bold for this level of condition. Value decline remains steady below the VF level.
Very Good 3
Very Good is a PSA 3 designation. Cards at this level will be worn with rounded corners exhibiting visible creases. Dulling, edgewear, print lines and handling marks dominate the surface. Colors remain bold but flaws are easily seen without aid. Occasional light creasing expected. Attributes represent clear, acceptable circulating/playing condition for an older baseball card issue though eye appeal and value drop substantially from higher grades.
Good 2
Good condition equates to a PSA 2 grade. Corners are heavily rounded with creasing evident and surfaces worn down showing further dulling, print lines and flaws at this level. Moderate creasing becomes expected. Colors remain but design integrity starts declining substantially below Excellent or higher levels. At this point the card is worn but still identifiably the player/issue in question through bold design elements. As condition declines further, so does value relative to mint/near mint specimens.
Poor 1
The lowest PSA grade of 1 signifies Poor condition. At this point the card is worn down through extensive use with creased corners and heavily dull/flawed surfaces. Colors are still identifiable but design integrity challenged significantly through heavy wear. Creasing likely extensive across all four corners and perhaps surfaces too. Such low condition examples still hold baseball card collecting significance for completing a set but are of minimal monetary/aesthetic value for most collectors in comparison to higher grade specimens from the same set and issue.
So in summary – the 1 through 10 PSA grading scale provides a clear delineation of condition attributes and corresponding value tiers for identifying the quality of old baseball card survivors. Collectors can easily gauge wear levels and estimate rarity/demand profiles based on this renowned authentication and preservation grading standard used worldwide. Understanding the PSA condition scale is crucial for properly appraising the state, completeness and worth of any collectible in today’s market.
