PSA PSA Grade Qualifiers (OC, ST) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which PSA qualifier indicates that a card has been trimmed from its original dimensions?
- TR
- OC
- AL (Correct answer)
- PD
Correct 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.
When PSA determines a card has been trimmed, cut down from its original dimensions to remove edge wear or improve centering, the card receives a non-numeric Authentic, Altered designation. PSA detects trimming through precise measurement of card dimensions compared to known standards for that issue, as well as visual inspection of edge characteristics. Trimmed cards do not receive a numeric grade.
Question 2: What does the PSA qualifier MK indicate on a graded card?
- Miscut
- Marked Card (Correct answer)
- Multiple Kinds of wear
- Mechanical damage
Correct 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.
The PSA MK (Marked) qualifier is applied when a card has writing, pen marks, or other deliberate markings on it that were not part of the original printed design. This includes autographs from non-notable individuals, collector notations, price tags written directly on the card, or any other added markings. The qualifier informs buyers that the card has been written on, which typically reduces its value compared to an unmarked example.
Question 3: When PSA adds an OC qualifier to a PSA 7 grade, what does this tell a potential buyer?
- The card is overgraded
- The centering was the determining factor that prevented a higher grade, and the centering is notably off for the PSA 7 standard (Correct answer)
- The card was graded by a new examiner
- The card has surface defects in addition to centering issues
Correct 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.
A PSA 7 OC signals to buyers that the card's corners, surface, and edges may be strong enough for a higher grade but centering specifically held it back. Buyers who prioritize non-centering attributes may find PSA 7 OC cards attractive at discounts, knowing the card's weakness is centering rather than structural damage. Conversely, buyers who prominently display cards may avoid OC-qualified cards.
Question 4: Can a PSA 10 card ever receive an OC (Off-Center) qualifier?
- Yes, if all other attributes are perfect
- 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 (Correct answer)
- Yes, but only for pre-war cards
- Yes, for cards produced before 1980 where centering standards were different
Correct 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.
PSA 10 has strict centering requirements (60/40 front, 75/25 back) that, by definition, are inconsistent with the OC qualifier. The OC qualifier is applied when centering is notably worse than the grade would normally suggest. Since PSA 10's centering requirements are well-defined and non-negotiable, any card meeting PSA 10 standards has centering that clearly does not warrant an OC qualifier.
Question 5: What primary market function does PSA's qualifier system serve?
- It allows PSA to charge higher fees for complex cases
- It provides buyers with specific disclosure of a graded card's weakness, enabling more informed purchasing decisions (Correct answer)
- It allows cards to receive higher grades than they otherwise would merit
- It is used only for cards worth over $1,000
Correct 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.
PSA's qualifier system serves market transparency by disclosing specific condition concerns that a numeric grade alone cannot fully communicate. A PSA 7 can represent different combinations of condition factors, and qualifiers like OC, ST, or MK help buyers understand exactly which attribute is the grade-limiting factor. This allows collectors to make informed decisions based on their specific collecting goals.
Question 6: 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?
- The qualified card is always more desirable because the grade is higher
- 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 (Correct answer)
- They have identical market value regardless of qualifiers
- The qualified card is less valuable than a card two grades lower without qualifiers
Correct 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.
In the PSA marketplace, non-qualified cards are almost always preferred over qualified cards at the same numeric grade, because the qualifier indicates a specific flaw beyond normal grade-level expectations. When a qualified card has a higher grade, the calculation becomes more nuanced: a PSA 8 PD (print defect) may or may not be preferable to a PSA 7 with no qualifiers, depending on the collector's preferences and the visibility of the print defect.
PSA PSA Grade Qualifiers (OC, ST) 2
Which PSA qualifier indicates that a card has been trimmed from its original dimensions?