1. B
PSA Gem Mint 10 requires centering of 55/45 or better on the front. This ensures near-perfect alignment, stricter than the 60/40 allowed for PSA 9.
2. D
The age of the paper stock is not a typical factor PSA uses in autograph authenticity. They focus on ink behavior and handwriting comparisons.
3. B
Minor chipping and slight surface wear usually cap the card at PSA 9 Mint. PSA 10 requires flawless corners and surfaces.
4. B
“Authentic” means the card is genuine, but condition is too flawed to receive a numerical grade.
5. C
A crease, especially through the center, disqualifies a card from receiving a numeric grade.
6. D
Registration (alignment of colors and images) is the most scrutinized print defect in vintage cards.
7. A
A secretarial signature is one signed by a secretary on behalf of the player.
8. B
Trimmed cards are labeled “Authentic – Trimmed” and do not receive numeric grades.
9. A
UV light is commonly used to test ink age and detect alterations.
10. B
PSA 9 Mint allows for centering tolerance of 60/40 on the reverse of modern cards.
11. B
PSA inspects surface defects including scratches, stains, print flaws, gloss quality, and discolorations.
12. C
Wax residue and peeling affect modern cards more than vintage, since older cards often had natural wax staining from packs.
13. A
PSA 7 allows multiple small flaws, while PSA 8 has fewer or less severe flaws.
14. B
PSA requires a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), witness statements, or photographic evidence to verify provenance of signed memorabilia.
15. B
PSA designates altered surfaces as “Authentic Altered” and will not assign numeric grades.
16. B
Corner rounding lowers grade by one or more points depending on severity.
17. B
Inspectors use strong light and loupes (magnifiers) for edge wear, not high-powered microscopes.
18. C
Signature verification is done by comparing to exemplars of the signer’s known handwriting.
19. B
Counterfeits are returned ungraded and labeled as such; PSA does not encapsulate them.
20. B
PSA 10 permits only trivial, non-visible manufacturing flaws, not noticeable defects.
21. A
Surface gloss refers to the shine or reflective finish of a card’s coating.
22. B
Waviness is only a flaw if it causes visible distortion or light refraction.
23. C
Archival-safe storage prevents deterioration of autograph ink, unlike UV exposure or acidic contact.
24. C
“VARIANT” means the card is a known design or printing variation (e.g., color difference).
25. B
Short prints and rarities are graded with the same standards, but PSA notes their rarity on the label.
26. A
Minor centering issues are more tolerated on vintage cards than modern ones.
27. B
Metallic or “steely” surfaces are graded normally but PSA inspects gloss and reflectivity carefully.
28. B
Print line register ensures colors are properly aligned; misregistration lowers grade.
29. B
A small scratch visible only under magnification generally lowers a card to PSA 9.
30. A
“Authentication Only” means PSA certifies the item’s authenticity without assigning a grade.
31. A
If the slab is cracked or tampered with, PSA will not encapsulate; minor scratches are acceptable.
32. A
When grading photos, PSA looks at paper type and quality in addition to normal factors.
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