PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is considered the gold standard for grading and authenticating trading cards, including baseball cards. Getting cards professionally graded can increase their value, especially for valuable vintage cards. The PSA grading process does require some planning and preparation.
The first step is to choose which cards you want to submit to PSA for grading. Ensure the cards are in the best possible condition with no creasing, water damage or other flaws. PSA has strict grading standards, so cards need to be in near mint condition or better to receive a grade of 8, 9 or 10 which adds the most value. Carefully inspect each card under good lighting before submitting.
Once you’ve selected the cards, you’ll need to register for a PSA account on their website at PSAcard.com. This allows you to track the status of your submissions. Make sure to verify your identity and check for any account restrictions like submission limits that may apply to your collecting level.
Next is preparing the actual submission. PSA has guidelines on how cards must be packaged and labeled for grading. Cards should be placed in rigid toploaders or other approved holders to prevent bending or damage during transit. Write your PSA member number on the toploader with a sharpie. Air-tighly seal the cards between cardboard or in a security envelope.
For standard grading services, you can submit up to 50 cards together with no need to break them into separate orders. Over 50 cards and it’s best to split into multiple batches to avoid longer wait times. When submitting do not use paper clips, staples or any loose inserts as these can damage cards during machine sorting.
Once packaged correctly, you’ll go to the PSA website and create a physical submission using your member account. During submission setup provide your contact details and desired turnaround service level – economy takes months while express can take just a few weeks but costs more per card. Pay for the order using a credit card.
Then send your sealed submission package to the PSA grading center using a tracked method like USPS Priority Mail. Include a printed copy of the confirmation order details for processing. Now it’s time to wait as PSA authenticates and grades your cards.
You can monitor progress on the website. Once complete, graded cards will be returned securely in a new holder displaying the numerical grade along with any special designations. Unsuccessful grades may also be returned with details. And that covers the basic process for getting valuable baseball cards authenticated and graded by the experts at PSA! Let me know if any part of the process needs more explanation.
