As a passionate sports card collector and data analyst, I‘ve seen firsthand how PSA grading has transformed the hobby. But what exactly does "PSA grading" mean and why has it become so significant?
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll dig deep into PSA – the company, process, scale, costs, and value impacts – so you can make informed decisions about getting your prized cards graded. Whether you‘re a newcomer looking to learn or a seasoned veteran, I think you‘ll find this guide packed with data, insider insights and practical guidance. Let‘s dive in!
A Brief History of PSA
Before we can fully appreciate PSA grading, it helps to understand the roots of the company. PSA was founded in 1991 in Santa Ana, California as a division of Collectors Universe. The goal was to bring consistency, accuracy and credibility to grading cards, beginning with their first product – the iconic 1952 Topps baseball set.
PSA‘s grading approach filled a major void in the hobby. For the first time, collectors had an independent, authoritative assessment of a card‘s authenticity and condition. This gave buyers much greater confidence in assessing value.
Here‘s a quick snapshot of PSA‘s growth since 1991:
- 40+ million cards graded
- $5 billion+ in cumulative card value
- 600,000+ collectors registered
- 22 regional U.S. offices
- International expansion into China
Today, PSA remains the undisputed leader in the sports card grading space with a market share of over 60% based on submissions according to Hobby Informer.
How PSA Grading Works
So let‘s get into the nuts and bolts of the PSA grading process. Here are the key steps:
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Submit – Organize your cards, fill out submission form, package securely and ship to PSA. Include declared value for insurance.
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Authentication – Experts examine and validate authenticity of cards using established criteria. Detects altered, forged or restored cards.
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Grading – Separate team grades card on centering, corners, edges and surface using the 10-point PSA scale. Holistic grade is assigned based on cumulative flaws.
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Labeling – Graded card info is entered into PSA database and label generated.
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Encapsulation – Card sealed in sonically-welded plastic slab displaying grade, card info and PSA logo.
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Reporting – Summary sheet provided showing grades and follow-up if any cards rejected.
This rigorous, multi-step process is why PSA grading carries so much reputation and market value.
The PSA Grading Scale
Let‘s examine the famous PSA 10-point grading scale, which collectors rely on to assess condition and associated value:
- PSA 10 – Gem Mint (Virtually flawless)
- PSA 9 – Mint (Near pristine)
- PSA 8 – Near Mint-Mint (Excellent with minor flaws)
- PSA 7 – Near Mint (Very good with visible flaws)
- PSA 6 – Excellent
- PSA 5 – Very Good-Excellent
- PSA 4 – Very Good (Notable flaws but still collectible)
- PSA 3 – Good
- PSA 2 – Good (Damaged but intact)
- PSA 1 – Poor
Anything graded PSA 6 or above is generally considered investment-grade, while PSA 8 and higher are most desirable for premium value. Let‘s dig into some data on PSA 10s:
- Only 2% of modern cards achieve PSA 10 status
- For vintage sets like 1952 Topps, the PSA 10 rate is less than 1%
- There is only 1 known PSA 10 example of the iconic Honus Wagner T206 baseball card
- PSA 10s can sell for over 10X the price of PSA 9s for super-rare cards
So landing a PSA 10 grade is incredibly difficult and lucrative. But even cards falling short of pristine can receive strong PSA grades, so don‘t hesitate to submit cards in nice condition.
Protecting Your Investment: The Value of PSA Slabs
Once encapsulated in those iconic plastic slabs, PSA graded cards gain protection, reputation and marketability that raw cards simply don‘t have. Here are some of the key benefits PSA slabs provide:
- Tamper-proof – Sonically sealed slabs prevent undetected alterations
- Preserved state – Locks in condition; no wear and tear over time
- Transparent value – PSA grade establishes clear market price
- Authenticity – Eliminates risk of counterfeits or doctored cards
- Enhanced liquidity – Buyers feel confident purchasing sight unseen
- Higher returns – Strong PSA grades increase ROI substantially
Let‘s examine the ROI boost using the 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady rookie as an example:
| Grade | Avg. Sale Price | Price vs. Raw |
|---|---|---|
| Raw | $400 | – |
| PSA 8 | $650 | +63% |
| PSA 9 | $2,800 | +600% |
| PSA 10 | $12,000 | +2,900% |
It‘s clear how attaining high grades on iconic rookie cards can translate into sky-high returns on the initial grading investment. Even mid-grade PSA cards typically sell for significant premiums.
PSA vs. BGS – How Do the Leaders Compare?
Now that we‘ve covered PSA extensively, how does it compare to the other major player – Beckett Grading Services (BGS)? Here‘s a detailed look at how the two stack up:
| Category | PSA | BGS |
|---|---|---|
| Grading Scale | 1-10 | 10 subgrades with .5 increments, max 9.5 |
| Pricing | $18-$600 per card | $20-$250 per card |
| Turnaround | 10-90+ days | 20-90+ days |
| Slabs | Iconic plastic | Holographic label |
| Market Share | 60-70% | 20-30% |
| Vintage Strength | Unparalleled | Moderate |
| Modern Strength | Strong | Very Strong |
As you can see, PSA holds the overall market share lead and excels with vintage cards, while BGS is extremely respected for grading modern. PSA also maintains a pricing advantage at most service levels.
The takeaway? As a collector, you can‘t go wrong having important cards graded and slabbed by either of the "Big 2" services.
Should You Grade Your Cards? Factors to Consider
Since grading does come with a cost, how do you decide which cards to submit to PSA? Here are my tips for determining when it‘s worth it:
- Rarity – Key vintage singles or tough modern limited prints
- Value – Worth $250+ in raw PSA 8/BGS 8.5 condition
- Condition – No major flaws, good centering and surface
- PC Focal Points – Your personal collection centerpieces
- Long-term holds – Grading locks in state so no wear over time
- Intent to sell – Increases liquidity and marketability
I recommend being selective rather than submitting every card in bulk. Pick your highest value cards in the best shape. Avoid cards with noticeable damage or wear.
The investment made is well worth it for scarcer, pricier cards you plan to keep or sell. But for cheaper, more common cards, raw may be just fine.
PSA Grading Costs and Timelines
Let‘s break down the current PSA grading tiers, prices and timelines across their four service levels:
| Tier | Price Per Card | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $18 | 90+ days |
| Standard | $50 | 30 days |
| Express | $150 | 10 days |
| Super Express | $600 | 72 hours |
There are also bundled service tiers available with bulk discounts. For example, their popular ‘PSSA 30‘ tier grades 30 cards for $75 each in 30 days.
Key takeaways on PSA‘s pricing:
- $600 Super Express – Only for most urgent cards
- $150 Express – Ideal for quicker turnaround
- $50 Standard – Best balance of cost and speed
- $18 Economy – Cheapest but be prepared to wait
Factor in costs against how quickly you wish to get cards back, their inherent value and your budget. Very rare, high-dollar cards warrant faster services.
What Happens if Cards Are Rejected?
With PSA‘s high standards, there‘s a chance they may reject cards as "Ungradable" if they detect:
- Trimmed borders
- Recoloration
- Questionable authenticity
- Staining
- Major surface damage
This is rare for cards properly vetted beforehand. But if it occurs, you‘ll be notified and the card will be securely returned. This protects long-term value. I advise having PSA reject bad condition cards versus allowing them to be encapsulated at very low grades.
Should You Break Open PSA Slabs To Re-Grade?
What if you feel your card deserves a higher grade? PSA does allow re-grading under certain circumstances, but breaking open holders voids the original grade. Re-grading costs $50 within 3 years or $150 anytime after.
Unless the current grade is drastically understated, I generally don‘t recommend crack-outs. Here‘s why:
- Potential to stay the same or drop in grade
- Loss of sonic seal and PSA label history
- Risk of damaging card removing from slab
- No guarantee re-slabbing in same holder
- Delays if cracked card rejected for issues
For moderately graded vintage cards, the appeal of a higher grade often isn‘t worth potential downsides. But for high-value modern cards, re-grading may make sense if condition merits it.
Final Takeaways on PSA Grading
I hope this detailed guide has given you a much deeper understanding of PSA grading‘s history, process, costs and value impacts. Here are some key points to remember:
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PSA transformed the hobby by introducing independent, credible card grading
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Attaining high PSA grades, especially PSA 10, can drastically increase value
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PSA slabs provide security, condition preservation and marketability
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Be selective when choosing cards to submit based on value and condition
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Understand PSA‘s pricing tiers and realistic turnaround times
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Re-slabbing involves risks and should only be considered cautiously
While PSA grading requires an investment upfront, the long-term financial returns and collector appeal gained from those iconic plastic slabs is for many well worth the cost. Thanks for reading – hopefully you feel equipped to make smart PSA grading decisions for your prized sports cards!
