The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is considered the industry standard when it comes to third-party grading of sports cards and other memorabilia. Obtaining a PSA rating involves sending your cards to them to be professionally evaluated on several factors and assigned a numerical grade.
The first step is to register for a PSA account either online or by phone. You will need to provide some basic contact and billing information. Most collectors choose to submit cards for standard grading which takes 4-6 months on average to complete. You can opt for faster express service timelines but it costs significantly more per card.
Once registered, you will need submission forms that describe the service level and list each individual card. PSA provides digital and printable forms. Carefully insert each card in a hard plastic holder. Write the corresponding number from the submission form on the back of the holder in pencil. This associates the physical card to its listing.
Prepare your cards and forms for shipping in accordance with PSA’s container and packing guidelines. The cards must be securely packaged to avoid any potential transit damage. You are responsible for insuring the shipment in case of loss or damage during transport. Ship your submission package to PSA using a traceable carrier like USPS registered mail or UPS.
When PSA receives your cards they will be checked against the submission form for accuracy. The grading process involves visually inspecting each card under strong lighting for any flaws, defects, or signs of tampering that may impact the final grade. Graders consider centering, corners, edges and surface quality and assign a numerical score from 1 to 10 based on established standards.
A 1 indicates a poor/damaged card while a 10 is pristine “gem mint” condition. Most common mainstream sports cards from the 1980s-1990s fall in the 3-7 range. A designation of authenticity is also provided to verify the card is real and hasn’t been doctored or counterfeited. The assigned grade is professionally slabbed or encased in a tamper proof plastic holder with labels.
Once grading is complete, you will be notified via your PSA account online or by mail. You can then track the status, view digital images of each graded card and make payment/shipping arrangements for their return. Approximately 2-4 weeks after completion is typical but may vary. Return shipping costs are additional unless a flat rate option was selected.
The PSA rating serves as an impartial, industry accepted evaluation of a card’s condition that helps establish its fair market value. Well cared for, high graded cards from scarce sets or featuring famous stars are more valuable to collectors. The rating gives buyers confidence they are purchasing a card that has been authentically verified and its condition accurately assessed. It creates standardization and trust benefitting both sellers and buyers.
The multi-step PSA grading process involves securely preparing your cards, submitting them through your account, having them carefully evaluated on standard criteria, professionally encasing the assigned grade, and finally receiving the now officially appraised cards back with informative labels – providing collectors a trusted, liquid marketplace benchmark. With care, most collector grade cards can achieve designation adding value down the road.
