When PSA grades trading cards, they consider several factors that determine the condition and preservation quality of the card. This includes centering, corners, edges, surface and color. Centering refers to how perfectly centered the image is on the card. Corners are examined for wrinkling or damage. Edges are checked for wear or flaws. The surface is assessed for scratches, scuffs or anything that could detract from the eye appeal. And color refers to how vibrant and true to form the colors look compared to a fresh, pristine example of that card design.
Based on these criteria, PSA aims to grade cards in a consistent and objective manner. A grade of 1 would mean the card is in very poor condition, possibly damaged, flawed or ruined in some way. A grade of 2.5 or 3 would still be a low-quality card with multiple obvious defects. As the grades rise from 4 to 6, the cards start looking complete with some slight wear or aging showing. Grades from 7 to 8 represent near mint to mint cards with only minor defects that don’t seriously impact the visual appeal. 9’s are extremely well-preserved examples and 10’s are absolutely flawless, in the same unplayed condition as when they were originally packaged from the factory.
For collectors and investors, the PSA grading brings standardization, trust and transparency to the sports card market. Individual cards can gain or lose significant monetary value depending on the grade. A small change from a 9 to an 8 can mean thousands of dollars difference in price. PSA slabs with the authenticity certification and assigned grade help prevent questionable fakes or doctored cards from entering the marketplace. Collectors know exactly what condition they’re getting when they purchase a PSA-graded card.
Grading is not an exact science, as reasonable people may disagree on the finer points of a card’s attributes. But PSA has decades of experience and tries to maintain consistency through careful training of its graders. Over time, the standard has been refined as the hobby has grown dramatically. Nearly any significant vintage or modern collectible card that could be worth over $100 raw is almost certainly best sent to PSA to verify authenticity and grade condition for resale purposes. For affordable hobbies like card collecting to thrive, some level of standardization and trusted third party oversight benefits both buyers and sellers.
The PSA grading scale from 1 to 10 provides collectors with an objective and uniform system for understanding the quality and preservation status of their sports cards and other memorabilia. Even small differences in PSA grade can drastically impact monetary value, so the system brings standardization, trust and transparency benefits to the marketplace. With its expertise, reputation and focus on consistent application of technical criteria, PSA authentication and grading has become the industry standard process for confidently buying, selling and storing valuable collectibles.
