The Grading Process of Baseball Cards Explained
Collecting baseball cards is a hobby enjoyed by many, both young and old. Part of the fun of collecting cards is assessing their condition and value. To truly understand a card’s worth, it needs to be professionally graded. Several companies offer grading services, but the most well known is Professional Sports Authenticator, commonly known as PSA. This article will provide an in-depth look at PSA’s grading process to help collectors understand how their cards are evaluated.
Submission Process
The first step is to properly submit your cards to PSA. Cards must be sent in plastic holders called “slabs” to protect them during shipping and grading. PSA provides different submission options depending on turnaround time and cost. Basic submissions take 4-6 months currently due to high demand and can cost $10-$15 per card. Expedited options are available for rush jobs. When submitting, collectors provide details like the card set and year to help graders identify each one.
Initial Inspection
Upon arrival, PSA graders perform an initial inspection of all submitted cards under bright lighting. They check for any obvious flaws, defects or alterations that would immediately disqualify a card from consideration. Anything showing signs of tampering, restoration or damage is noted and likely rejected at this stage. Graders are also on the lookout for counterfeits, which are identified and returned as such.
First Graders
Accepted cards then go to “first graders,” experienced PSA employees who do an initial analysis. Using high-power magnifying lenses, light boxes and other tools, they carefully examine each card front and back for flaws, centering issues, edges nicks or other defects. First graders document everything they observe like creases, stains or printing errors. They also assess how “well-centered” the front image is within the card borders.
Second Graders
For confirmation purposes, a second and sometimes third PSA grader will also analyze each card. This ensures grading consistency and catches any flaws the first grader may have missed. The secondary graders can agree or adjust the initial grades up or down as they see fit based on their independent examinations. Any grading disagreements between staff are further reviewed until a consensus is reached.
Attribute Grading
Once fully inspected, each card is given numerical grades in four key attribute areas – centering, corners, edges and surface (also called CECS grading). Grades range from 1 to 10, with 10 being flawless “gem mint” condition and 1 marked as “poor.” By combining the individual attribute scores, PSA derives an overall condition grade for the card. This comprehensive approach allows for precise condition assessment.
Photography Session
High-resolution photos are taken of each graded card front and back under magnification. These close-up images are stored with the grading details for future reference by PSA and potential buyers. Any notable flaws, defects, printing issues etc are highlighted. The photos serve as a permanent record of the exact card condition at the time of grading.
Labeling and Authentication
Once grading is finalized, PSA affixes a tamper-proof label on the plastic holder or “slab” encapsulating the card. This label lists the overall grade, attribute scores, set details, and a unique certification number for authentication purposes. A hologram and other security features on the label help verify the grade as official and deter counterfeits. The now-certified card is then packaged and shipped back to the submitter.
Quality Control
PSA has rigorous quality control processes to ensure grading consistency and accuracy. A random sampling of graded cards gets re-inspected. Staff members also routinely swap grading assignments and re-examine each other’s work as a cross-check. Any identified grading errors or inconsistencies trigger re-training and process improvements. PSA’s quality control helps maintain the integrity of the grading standard over time.
Re-Grading Option
Collectors can choose to someday re-submit cards to PSA for a fresh grading analysis if desired. This is useful if a card shows signs of grade change from aging or improper storage. Re-grading allows the latest condition to be professionally re-assessed and certified. While it costs more, the updated grade helps sellers and buyers agree on accurate current card condition and value.
The baseball card grading process at PSA involves careful multi-step examination and documentation by trained experts. The comprehensive CECS analysis and photo record provides a permanent condition baseline highly valued by collectors, dealers and auction houses. Professional third-party grading helps establish fair market prices and prevents disputes over condition variables. It transforms ordinary cards into certified, investment-worthy collectibles.
