As an avid Pokémon card collector yourself, you know the importance of card condition. And in the world of collectibles, no name carries more weight than PSA 10. But what makes a PSA 10 so special? What does it take to earn this elite grading? I‘m going to lift the veil on PSA grading and explain everything you need to know about achieving card collecting‘s pinnacle ranking.
PSA Grading 101
First, let‘s start with the basics. PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is a third-party service that grades trading cards on a 10-point numeric scale. They encase each graded card in a hard plastic slab authenticated with the PSA logo.
PSA‘s grading criteria evaluates the card‘s corners, edges, surface, and centering. Here is how their grading scale works:
- PSA 10 – Gem Mint (Flawless)
- PSA 9 – Mint
- PSA 8 – Near Mint-Mint
- PSA 7 – Near Mint
- PSA 6 – Excellent
- PSA 5 – Excellent-Good
- PSA 4 – Good
- PSA 3 – Good-Fair
- PSA 2 – Fair
- PSA 1 – Poor
So where does a PSA 10 rate? It represents the absolute pinnacle of the PSA scale. Let‘s explore what warrants this elite status.
The PSA 10 Criteria
A PSA 10 graded card must exhibit perfection across all grading metrics:
Perfect Corners
- No fraying, dents, or blunting
- Completely sharp and intact corner points
Razor Sharp Focus
- Exceptional clarity in card image and text
- No blurring or indistinct print defects
Vibrant Color and Gloss
- Original card coloring without any fading
- Bright, vivid hues and image fidelity
- Glossy or foil sheen without scratches or dulling
Flawless Surface
- No scuffs, scratches, indents, fingerprints, or smudges
- Smooth, blemish-free card face and back
Precise Centering
-Symmetrical borders evenly aligned on front and back
- No side heavier than the other
Essentially, the card must appear as if it came fresh from a pack and went straight into a protective sleeve, never touched by human hands. Even one minuscule nick, ding, or rub would disqualify a PSA 10 grade. That‘s how impossibly strict the criteria is.
Population Rarity of PSA 10 Cards
Achieving the pristine PSA 10 standard is monumentally difficult, even for brand new cards. Let‘s examine just how scarce PSA 10 cards are in the wild using population data:
PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard
Total Graded: 415
PSA 10s: 79
PSA 10 1st Edition Base Set Charizard
Total Graded: 561
PSA 10s: 6
That‘s right, out of over 500 copies of this Charizard graded, only 6 have reached the PSA 10 summit! And for the Shadowless variant, less than 20% of submissions garner the top grade.
Now consider an iconic vintage card like the Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps:
PSA 10 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
Total Graded: 2,527
PSA 10s: 22
Out of thousands in circulation, only 22 examples over 60+ years have avoided imperfections significant enough to preclude PSA‘s 10 rating. That attests to the remarkable elusiveness of a PSA 10, even among high profile cards.
But exactly why are these graded gems so rare?
The Difficulty of PSA 10 Perfection
Let‘s be honest – when cracking open a fresh pack, our first instinct isn‘t preserving mint condition for grading. We excitedly thumb through the cards to check the draw, inevitably trusting them to fate. Once you‘ve played a card, pinched it between fingers, or shuffled it into a deck, the chance of PSA 10 is basically gone.
Centering offers another obstacle. The cutting process always exhibits slight variation, meaning perfectly centered cards are uncommon. Even nimble handling risks compromising that balance.
For older cards, surviving decades unscathed is highly unlikely. From filler binders to bicycle spokes, vintage cards endured all manner of storage growing up. And cards residing in attics or basements contend with moisture, light bleaching, and environmental wear.
Simply put, achieving PSA 10 requires a card remain pristine and untouched from pack opening to grading submission. One innocent slip ruins the chance entirely. That‘s why of any PSA grade, the 10 reigns supreme in its unfathomability.
The Premium Pricing of PSA 10s
Given their unmatched rarity, PSA 10 graded cards command exorbitant premiums over lesser grades. Let‘s examine the pricing gulf through some sales examples:
PSA 10 1st Edition Charizard Holo
Feb 2022 Auction Sale: $936,000
PSA 9 1st Edition Charizard Holo
March 2021 Auction Sale: $330,000
Nearly triple the value for that extra nudge from PSA 9 to 10! Even modern cards display this grading premium:
PSA 10 Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX
Average Sale: $650-$850
PSA 9 Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX
Average Sale: $350-$500
It‘s quite clear collectors covet the perfection and prestige of the PSA 10 grade. But attaining this pinnacle through PSA‘s grading process requires time, diligence, and most of all – money.
Navigating the PSA Grading Gauntlet
Successfully submitting a card to PSA for grading and competing for that flawless 10 involves several steps:
1. Verify Card Authenticity
Counterfeit cards abound, especially for valuable, old school gems. PSA excels at detection, but do your due diligence beforehand inspecting cards closely.
2. Inspect Condition Minutia
Scan every millimeter under bright light and magnification. A surprise pinprick imperfection could derail your PSA 10 dreams.
3. Carefully Sleeve and Protect
Place raw cards in new penny sleeves, then gently insert into rigid top loaders for safe transport. Handle delicately!
4. Organize and Inventory Submission
Keep cards organized via set and confirm details like declared value for each are accurate. Double check totals.
5. Package Securly for Shipping
Cushion cards in bubble wrap inside a sturdy box. Don‘t skimp on packing material – card safety is paramount!
6. Purchase Insurance and Tracking
Declare full value and ship only with signature required. Tracking lets you monitor transit status. Lost packages mean losing cards!
7. Select Grading Tier
Service levels range from Express ($600 per card) to Value ($30 per card) with varying turnaround times. Increased costs yield faster grades.
8. Submit Payment and Paperwork
PSA requires submission forms detailing your order. Calculate grading charges carefully. Expect fees from $30-$10,000 per card based on tier.
9. Wait (Patiently) for Return
Turnaround times range from 2 months to 1+ years. Temper expectations and check PSA‘s website for current averages to estimate when your cards will complete grading.
10. Cherish Your PSA 10s!
If Lady Luck smiles and PSA awards your cards a 10, appreciate the accomplishment! You‘ve earned card collecting glory.
As you can see, achieving PSA 10 requires extreme diligence. But for the right cards, it‘s well worth the effort!
Just How Much are PSA 10 Cards Worth?
Let‘s look at some recent sale prices realized for astronomically valuable PSA 10 graded cards:
PSA 10 1st Edition Charizard Holo – $350,100
PSA 10 Topsun Charizard – $195,000
PSA 10 Shadowless Charizard – $90,000
PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator – $900,000
PSA 10 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $12,600,000
PSA 10 1909 T206 Honus Wagner – $7,250,000
These seven and eight figure sales reaffirm PSA 10 cards sit firmly atop the collectible hierarchy. Even lesser examples lacking the MAY 10 merit but still highly desirable can command staggering sums:
PSA 9 Illustrator Pikachu – $375,000
PSA 8 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard – $55,000
So while the PSA scale begins at 1, when it comes to maximum value, all eyes fixate on that prestigious top-shelf 10 status.
Attaining PSA 10 – Reality Check and Tips
I‘ll be blunt – very few cards warrant the time, costs, and risks of pursuing that elusive PSA 10 grade. However, for extremely valuable cards, especially first edition base Charizards, chasing perfection makes sense. You‘ll reap substantial financial dividends from even fractional bumps in grade.
For cards you feel are deserving candidates, heed these handling and storage tips to maintain flawless PSA 10 potential:
- Never touch the card surface directly – always grip by the edges
- Store cards in a cool, dry, dark environment away from direct light and humidity
- Keep cards isolated in sleeves/toploaders when not being viewed or shown
- Avoid exposing cards to rapid temperature shifts that can create condensation
- Consider double sleeving or one-touch magnet cases for extra protection
- Display high value cards only in secure enclosures like wall mounts or display cases
- Transport cards individually sleeved and with padding or inserts to prevent sliding and surface wear
With meticulous care and pride of ownership, your cards have a fighting chance at PSA 10 perfection!
Closing Thoughts
Well my friend, I hope I‘ve succeeded in demystifying PSA grading and the significance of reaching that PSA 10 pinnacle. While extremely elusive, especially for vintage sets we grew up collecting, appreciating what goes into a 10 will deepen your passion as a hobbyist. We should feel grateful just to enjoy these nostalgic cards and gaming artwork in any condition. But there‘s no denying the allure of a pristinely preserved pack-fresh PSA 10!
