PSA Restoration and Tampering Detection 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What PSA designation is assigned to a card confirmed to have been trimmed?
- PSA Authentic (Altered) (Correct answer)
- PSA Authentic
- PSA Grade 1
- PSA Poor
Correct answer: PSA Authentic (Altered)
A trimmed card cannot receive a numeric grade and is labeled PSA Authentic (Altered) to indicate it is a genuine card that has been intentionally modified.
Question 2: What standard dimensions does PSA reference when checking for trimmed modern baseball trading cards?
- 2.5" x 3.5" (Correct answer)
- 2.25" x 3.25"
- 2.75" x 3.75"
- 3" x 4"
Correct answer: 2.5" x 3.5"
The standard modern trading card measures 2.5" x 3.5", and PSA compares submitted cards against known dimensions for that specific issue to detect trimming.
Question 3: What is 'pressing' as a form of card restoration?
- Flattening a card to reduce or remove creases and wrinkles (Correct answer)
- Adding material to damaged corners to hide wear
- Applying chemical solvents to clean the surface
- Trimming card edges to remove fraying
Correct answer: Flattening a card to reduce or remove creases and wrinkles
Pressing involves applying heat or pressure to a card to reduce or eliminate creases, constituting restoration that disqualifies the card from a numeric grade.
Question 4: Which alteration involves applying artificial coloring to restore faded borders or edges on a card?
- Recoloring (Correct answer)
- Pressing
- Trimming
- Delamination repair
Correct answer: Recoloring
Recoloring (also called retouching) involves applying ink or paint to restore faded or worn areas, which is considered a form of alteration by PSA.
Question 5: Which of the following would prevent a card from receiving a numeric PSA grade?
- Evidence of trimming (Correct answer)
- Visible off-centering
- Minor surface scratches
- Print defects visible under magnification
Correct answer: Evidence of trimming
Trimming is an intentional alteration that permanently disqualifies a card from a numeric grade, resulting in a PSA Authentic (Altered) designation instead.
Question 6: What does a PSA 'Authentic' label (without a numeric grade) most commonly indicate?
- The item is genuine but has issues preventing a numeric grade, such as alteration or extreme wear (Correct answer)
- The item received the highest possible numeric grade
- The item is a certified reprint or reproduction
- The item passed all centering and surface criteria
Correct answer: The item is genuine but has issues preventing a numeric grade, such as alteration or extreme wear
A PSA Authentic designation confirms the item is genuine but indicates it cannot receive a numeric grade due to alteration, extreme wear, or other disqualifying conditions.
Question 7: What instrument does PSA use to precisely measure card dimensions when checking for trimming?
- Calipers (Correct answer)
- Magnifying loupe
- UV light
- Standard ruler
Correct answer: Calipers
PSA uses calipers to precisely measure card dimensions in millimeters, comparing them to documented specifications for that card's issue to detect any reduction from trimming.
PSA Restoration and Tampering Detection 1
What PSA designation is assigned to a card confirmed to have been trimmed?