PSA Grading is one of the most trusted and well-known services for authentication and grading of sports cards, coins, comics, and other collectibles. While there are a few options available, PSA has become the undisputed leader in third-party grading of vintage and modern baseball cards. Obtaining a PSA grade can significantly increase the value and desirability of your cards, so it’s worth learning more about the process.
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) was founded in 1991 by Steve Grad and Joe Orlando with a mission of establishing clear standards and objectively grading the condition of collectibles. They were pioneers in this field and helped create more transparency in the trading of vintage cards, coins, and other assets that are graded on condition. Today, PSA has certified over 50 million collectibles and remains the most well-respected authority.
When you send cards to PSA, the grading process typically takes 3-6 months depending on volume and the service level you select. The first step is to properly package your cards to avoid damage during shipping and include your order form and payment. PSA has detailed instructions on their website. Cards then go through a multi-point inspection under strong lighting by experienced PSA authenticators. They examine every aspect of the card such as centering, corners, edges, and surface for flaws or imperfections. Authenticators also ensure the card matches the description on the back to avoid unintentional reprints sneaking through.
Once graded, the cards are slabbed or encapsulated in protective plastic holders that lock in the grade. The slab clearly displays the card, its grade, and a unique certification number. PSA grades on a 1-10 scale with 10 being flawless gem mint condition, then decreasing by half points from there. Cards that grade less than 4 are not sealed by PSA. Slabbing protects the grade integrity since cards can no longer be tampered with and holders clearly showcase condition under lighting. This gives buyers confidence without having to closely examine loose cards.
Obtaining a respectable PSA grade can have a huge impact on the card’s value, often doubling, tripling, or more depending on the rarity and significance of that particular issue. High grades of 8, 9, or 10 are especially coveted and break collector records when they come to auction. Even small upgrades of a half point difference are notable. For popular vintage cards like rookies of iconic players, those few points mean thousands or tens of thousands more dollars. PSA slabbing also makes raw cards more liquid assets since buyers know the exact condition.
There are a few things collectors should consider when choosing cards to submit for PSA grading. Obviously, higher grades command higher prices so aim to select your nicest examples. Condition is not the only factor—certain rare or nostalgic cards will retain value even in lower grades simply due to historical significance. It’s also worth spending a bit extra to have cards authenticated since reprints lack provenance and sell for far less. Make sure any cards from before the 1990s have good eye appeal since earlier issues are prone to durability issues even in top shape.
The three main PSA service levels are Regular, Economy, and Express. Regular takes 3-6 months and has the lowest submission fee per card. Economy is slightly quicker at 3 months but charges more per card. Express gets turnaround in 30 days maximum and costs the most per card. For more valuable submissions of vintage Hall of Famer rookies or complete sets, the Express service is usually worthwhile to get top dollar. PSA also offers various bulk submission discounts if sending in large collections all at once. Be sure to check their website for current pricing and promotions which can fluctuate slightly with demand.
It is always worth double checking a card’s grading details before purchase based solely on the PSA slab. While the grade assigns an objective condition assessment, cards within the same designation can still vary. For example, an 8 can appear much crisper or have more flaws than another 8. PSA authenticators also sometimes note flaws or imperfections directly on the slab label for full transparency. High resolution images are critical to gauging true quality. And always consider the source—sales directly from PSA or top auction houses give the most buyer protection against problematic slabs.
In summary, PSA grading is the gold standard way to add value, liquidity, and provenance to your baseball card collection. By objectively certifying condition, slabbing enhances presentation and confidence in the marketplace. Even entry-level raw cards can gain substantially just from earning a respectable PSA grade through their affordable bulk submission rates. For the astute collector, PSA graded cards remain a sound long term investment backed by decades of credibility and market data.
