PSA - Professional Sports Authenticator PSA Grading Scale: 1-10 Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the PSA Grading Scale, what is the maximum centering tolerance on the front of a card to receive a GEM-MT 10 grade?
- 60/40 percent
- 70/30 percent
- 55/45 percent (Correct answer)
- 50/50 percent
Correct answer: 55/45 percent
A PSA Gem Mint 10 card is a virtually perfect card. For centering, the image must be centered on the card within a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 percent on the front and 75/25 percent on the reverse.
Question 2: A collector submits a card that appears Mint at first glance. Upon closer inspection, a PSA grader notes a very slight wax stain on the reverse and front centering of 65/35. The corners are sharp and the surface is clean. Which of the following grades is this card most likely to receive?
- MINT 9
- NM-MT 8 (Correct answer)
- NM 7
- GEM-MT 10
Correct answer: NM-MT 8
A PSA NM-MT 8 is a card that appears Mint 9 at first glance but upon closer inspection can exhibit minor flaws like a very slight wax stain on the reverse, slightest fraying at one or two corners, or a minor printing imperfection. The centering must be approximately 65/35 or better on the front.
Question 3: Which of the following defects would most likely result in a card receiving a PSA grade of 1 (Poor)?
- Slightly rounded corners and a light scratch.
- A minor printing blemish and 70/30 centering.
- A small missing piece and a major crease breaking the cardboard. (Correct answer)
- Visible surface wear and loss of some original gloss.
Correct answer: A small missing piece and a major crease breaking the cardboard.
A PSA 1 (Poor) grade is for a card with extreme defects. It may be missing one or two small pieces, exhibit major creasing that nearly breaks through the cardboard, or have extreme discoloration that makes it difficult to identify.
Question 4: A card is graded as a PSA 5 (Excellent). What characteristic is most consistent with this grade?
- Four perfectly sharp corners.
- Very minor rounding of the corners is becoming evident. (Correct answer)
- Accelerated rounding of the corners.
- Slightest fraying at one or two corners.
Correct answer: Very minor rounding of the corners is becoming evident.
On PSA 5 (Excellent) cards, very minor rounding of the corners is becoming evident. Surface wear or printing defects are also more visible, and there may be minor chipping on the edges.
Question 5: What is the primary difference between a PSA MINT 9 and a PSA GEM-MT 10 regarding their defining flaws?
- A PSA 9 can have a light crease, whereas a PSA 10 cannot.
- A PSA 9 can have one minor flaw like a slight wax stain, while a PSA 10 is virtually perfect. (Correct answer)
- A PSA 9 allows for major discoloration, but a PSA 10 only allows for off-white borders.
- A PSA 9 has noticeable corner rounding, while a PSA 10 has perfectly sharp corners.
Correct answer: A PSA 9 can have one minor flaw like a slight wax stain, while a PSA 10 is virtually perfect.
A PSA Mint 9 is a superb condition card that can exhibit only one of a few minor flaws, such as a very slight wax stain on the reverse or a minor printing imperfection. A PSA Gem-MT 10 is considered a virtually perfect card, with an allowance only for a slight printing imperfection that doesn't impair the overall appeal.
Question 6: A vintage card is being evaluated. It has slight surface wear visible upon close inspection, minor fraying on a few corners, and the picture focus is slightly out-of-register. The centering is approximately 70/30 on the front. This card would most likely be graded as:
- EX-MT 6
- NM-MT 8
- MINT 9
- NM 7 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: NM 7
A PSA NM 7 is defined as a card with slight surface wear visible upon close inspection, and it may have slight fraying on some corners or a slightly out-of-register picture. The centering standard is approximately 70/30 or better on the front.
PSA - Professional Sports Authenticator PSA Grading Scale: 1-10 Questions and Answers
According to the PSA Grading Scale, what is the maximum centering tolerance on the front of a card to receive a GEM-MT 10 grade?