PSA - Professional Sports Authenticator PSA Grade Qualifiers (OC, ST) Questions and Answers — 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?
- PSA 9 (OC) (Correct answer)
- PSA 10 (OC)
- PSA 8
- Authentic
Correct answer: PSA 9 (OC)
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?
- The ST qualifier is only used for stains caused by wax or gum.
- A card graded GEM-MT 10 is allowed to have a very slight, unobtrusive stain.
- The ST qualifier indicates that the rest of the card's attributes meet the criteria for the assigned numerical grade. (Correct answer)
- Application of the ST qualifier is mandatory and cannot be opted out of by the submitter.
Correct answer: The ST qualifier indicates that the rest of the card's attributes meet the criteria for the assigned numerical grade.
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?
- PSA 8
- PSA 6
- PSA 8 (ST) (Correct answer)
- PSA 7 (OC)
Correct answer: PSA 8 (ST)
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?
- Cards at the PSA 3 level are not eligible for qualifiers.
- The centering standards for a PSA 3 are already extremely lenient. (Correct answer)
- The OC qualifier is reserved for modern cards only.
- PSA automatically assigns a grade of 'Authentic' if a low-grade card is also off-center.
Correct answer: The centering standards for a PSA 3 are already extremely lenient.
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?
- It would receive a grade of PSA 7 due to the stain.
- It would be returned as 'Authentic Altered' due to water damage.
- It would receive a grade of MINT 9 (ST). (Correct answer)
- It would receive a grade of MINT 9, as minor back staining is allowed.
Correct answer: It would receive a grade of MINT 9 (ST).
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.
Question 6: Under what circumstances does PSA apply a 5% leeway to its front centering minimum standards, potentially allowing a card to avoid an OC qualifier?
- For any card submitted through the 'Express' service level.
- For cards that grade NM 7 or better. (Correct answer)
- For all vintage cards printed before 1980.
- Only when the submitter specifically requests it on the submission form.
Correct answer: For cards that grade NM 7 or better.
According to PSA's official grading standards, a 5% leeway is given to the front centering minimum standards for cards which grade NM 7 or better. This means a card with exceptional eye appeal in other areas might still achieve a high numerical grade without the OC qualifier, even if its centering is slightly outside the standard published guidelines.
PSA - Professional Sports Authenticator PSA Grade Qualifiers (OC, ST) Questions and Answers
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?