PSA - Professional Sports Authenticator PSA Grade Qualifiers (OC, ST) Questions and Answers

Question 1

A grader is evaluating a card that is perfect in all aspects (corners, edges, surface) for a GEM-MT 10 grade. However, the front centering measures 80/20. According to PSA standards, which grade is this card most likely to receive?

Accepted Answer

PSA 9 (OC)

Answer

A card that otherwise meets the standards for a high grade but has centering that falls below the minimum for that grade will receive an Off-Center (OC) qualifier. A GEM-MT 10 requires front centering of approximately 55/45 to 60/40. Since 80/20 is significantly outside this range, but the card's other characteristics are perfect, it would be graded down but also receive the OC qualifier. A PSA 9 (OC) indicates the card is Mint in all aspects except for the centering.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the application of the Stain (ST) qualifier by PSA?

Accepted Answer

The ST qualifier indicates that the rest of the card's attributes meet the criteria for the assigned numerical grade.

Answer

A 'qualified' card is one that meets all the criteria for a specific grade, except for one particular flaw. Therefore, a card with a grade like 'PSA 8 (ST)' means that in terms of corners, edges, and centering, it meets the standards for a PSA 8, but it also has a notable stain. PSA standards explicitly state a GEM-MT 10 card must be free of staining. Stains can come from various sources, not just wax or gum.

Question 3

A collector submits a vintage card with sharp corners and clean edges, consistent with a NM-MT 8 grade. However, a noticeable, concentrated area of discoloration from a gum stain is present on the reverse. The front centering is 65/35. What is the most probable grade?

Accepted Answer

PSA 8 (ST)

Answer

The card's primary attributes (corners, edges, centering) align with a NM-MT 8 grade. However, the prominent gum stain is a specific flaw that calls for a qualifier. The Stain (ST) qualifier is used to denote that the card meets the numerical grade's standards in other areas but possesses a significant stain. Therefore, PSA 8 (ST) is the most accurate grade.

Question 4

The Off-Center (OC) qualifier is applied when the centering of a card falls below the minimum standard for the assigned grade. Why is a grade like 'PSA 3 (OC)' considered very unlikely?

Accepted Answer

The centering standards for a PSA 3 are already extremely lenient.

Answer

As the numerical grade of a card decreases, the centering standards become progressively more forgiving. A PSA VG 3 card already allows for 90/10 centering on the front and back. For a card to be so off-center that it falls *below* this already lenient standard, it would likely be considered Miscut (MC). Therefore, an OC qualifier is much more common on high-grade cards where the centering is an outlier compared to its otherwise excellent condition.

Question 5

A card is submitted that would otherwise grade a solid MINT 9. It has 60/40 front centering, sharp corners, and a clean surface, but there is a small, distinct water stain on a back corner. How would PSA most likely handle this card?

Accepted Answer

It would receive a grade of MINT 9 (ST).

Answer

The ST (Stain) qualifier is used when a card meets the criteria for a high grade in areas like corners, edges, and centering, but has a notable stain. While a PSA 9 allows for a *very slight wax stain* on the reverse, a distinct water stain is a more significant flaw that would warrant the ST qualifier. The card would be graded as MINT 9 (ST) to reflect that it is a Mint card apart from the stain.

PSA - Professional Sports Authenticator Practice Test

PSA - Professional Sports Authenticator Practice Test

PSA - Professional Sports Authenticator PSA Grade Qualifiers (OC, ST) Questions and Answers