PSA Grading

[seymourbarf]

I have a general question about PSA grading. Look at this card right here:



Why does PSA have qualifiers (like "OC")? I thought the PSA grade takes into account things like how off-center the card is. So a card this off-center would be like a PSA 5 or something (without a qualifier), rather than being a "PSA 9 (OC)". 

Similarly, I once had a Nasty Nick that was graded PSA 8 (ST). I guess it had a wax stain, but you couldn't see it from outside the PSA casing. But if the actual PSA grade isn't even taking staining into account (and they have to put a qualifier on it), then what is the point of the PSA grade? 

What exactly is the PSA grade (e.g., "8", "9", "10") taking into account, if not how off-center the card is, or how stained it is? I would think you wouldn't need the qualifiers at all, as the centering and staining would be reflected in the grade itself.

I could see using a qualifier to point out why a card received a certain grade. Like, with the Evil Eddie card above, it being so off-center would render it a PSA 5, and then they would slap the OC qualifier on it, so it appears as "PSA 5 (OC)". But that's not what they're doing. It almost seems like they are saying this Evil Eddie is a PSA 9, even with it being off-center. The whole thing confuses me.

[bezoot]

#1....You must have sharp corners, #2......the registration of the card must be clear in other words a clear image not blurred.......in the above image I see sharp corners and a clear image hence the PSA 9. you must remember that PSA is a grading company that grades condition, just because a card is off centre has nothing to do with the condition

[seymourbarf]

Jun 30, 2020 10:35:46 GMT -5 bezoot said:

#1....You must have sharp corners, #2......the registration of the card must be clear in other words a clear image not blurred.......in the above image I see sharp corners and a clear image hence the PSA 9. you must remember that PSA is a grading company that grades condition, just because a card is off centre has nothing to do with the condition

I see. So centering is not considered in the grade. But what about staining? I would think that pertains to the condition of the card. Yet staining appears to be only a qualifier, rather than having an effect on the grade itself.

[bezoot]

YES, remember that the cards came with gum so chances are high a card can be stained, and this has nothing to do with the card after it leaves the pack (I think PSA take this into consideration). but it gets ridiculous with the corners they really want the corners extra sharp for GPK.

[G.I. JASON]

they still grade these off center cards the same way....so that above card is a very very good card. its just that its "oc" meaning offcenter obviously, but the entire picture is on the card and the card is good(by the grade) so they give it the proper grade, but dont want it to be lumped in with the non "oc" cards also so they are differentiated as such. hope that makes sense for why its still graded high