PSA Grade Qualifiers (OC, ST) Flashcards
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Read the first 6 PSA Grade Qualifiers (OC, ST) flashcards as text
Which PSA qualifier indicates that a card has been trimmed from its original dimensions?
Answer: AL
AL stands for Altered, and trimming is the most common form of alteration that PSA detects. A trimmed card receives the designation Authentic, Altered rather than a numeric grade.
What does the PSA qualifier MK indicate on a graded card?
Answer: Marked Card
MK stands for Marked Card, indicating that PSA found writing, pen marks, or other deliberate markings on the card that are not part of the original printing.
When PSA adds an OC qualifier to a PSA 7 grade, what does this tell a potential buyer?
Answer: The centering was the determining factor that prevented a higher grade, and the centering is notably off for the PSA 7 standard
PSA 7 OC tells buyers that centering is the card's primary weakness. It prevented a higher grade and is notably poor for the PSA 7 standard, though other aspects such as corners and surface may be in better shape.
Can a PSA 10 card ever receive an OC (Off-Center) qualifier?
Answer: No, a PSA 10 requires 60/40 or better centering, so any off-centering significant enough for an OC qualifier would prevent the PSA 10 grade entirely
No PSA 10 can carry an OC qualifier because achieving PSA 10 requires centering of 60/40 or better on the front and 75/25 or better on the back. Meeting this standard means centering does not warrant the OC qualifier.
What primary market function does PSA's qualifier system serve?
Answer: It provides buyers with specific disclosure of a graded card's weakness, enabling more informed purchasing decisions
PSA qualifiers exist to give buyers transparent, specific information about a card's particular weakness, whether centering, staining, or print defects, enabling informed decisions about whether the specific flaw matters for their collecting goals.
If a card receives a PSA qualifier like PD but a higher numeric grade than a competing card with no qualifier, which is generally more desirable?
Answer: The non-qualified card is typically more desirable at equal grades, and at adjacent grades collectors must weigh the specific flaw against the grade difference
Generally, non-qualified cards are preferred at equal grades, as qualifiers indicate specific flaws. When grades differ, collectors must evaluate whether the qualifier's specific flaw matters more or less than the grade difference.