PSA Card Surface Defect Identification 3

Question 1

What is foxing in the context of vintage sports card surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Brown or reddish spots caused by oxidation and mold growth on paper fibers over time

Answer

A design element used on early 20th century cards

Answer

A printing technique that creates a matte finish

Answer

Damage caused by improper card storage techniques

Question 2

How does PSA differentiate between natural aging toning and collector-caused discoloration on vintage cards?

Accepted Answer

Natural aging toning shows uniform gradual transition across the card; collector-caused discoloration often shows irregular patterns or demarcation lines

Answer

PSA cannot distinguish between the two and grades both identically

Answer

Natural toning always makes cards more valuable

Answer

Collector-caused discoloration is only visible under UV light

Question 3

What is the significance of a print dot defect on a card's surface in PSA grading?

Accepted Answer

A print dot is a small factory-origin ink dot that may qualify for a PD notation but does not indicate forgery

Answer

Print dots are always disqualifying and result in non-authentic designations

Answer

Print dots are only found on counterfeit cards

Answer

Print dots automatically cap a card's grade at PSA 5

Question 4

What specific lighting technique does PSA use to maximize surface defect visibility?

Accepted Answer

Angled (raking) light that creates shadows from surface irregularities, revealing defects invisible under direct overhead lighting

Answer

Only overhead fluorescent lighting

Answer

Infrared lighting exclusively

Answer

Backlit examination through the card stock

Question 5

A card has a tiny piece of paper from another card adhered to its surface. How would PSA treat this?

Accepted Answer

PSA would grade the card with the fragment present and note it as a surface defect

Answer

PSA would remove the paper fragment and grade normally

Answer

PSA would refuse to grade cards with adhered material

Answer

PSA would designate the card as Authentic, Altered regardless of cause

Question 6

What does gloss retention refer to in PSA surface grading?

Accepted Answer

The degree to which a card's original surface sheen has been preserved without dulling from wear or aging

Answer

Whether a card has been re-glossed with a protective coating

Answer

A special coating applied to modern cards only

Answer

The percentage of the surface covered by foil elements