PSA Restoration and Tampering Detection 3

Question 1

Why does PSA compare a submitted card's measurements to known specifications for that exact card issue?

Accepted Answer

Different card sets have documented specific dimensions, so deviations indicate potential trimming

Answer

To determine the card's print run size

Answer

To calculate centering percentages for grading

Answer

To verify the card belongs to the correct set

Question 2

What is 'delamination' in the context of card restoration?

Accepted Answer

Separation of card layers that has been reglued by an alterer to conceal damage

Answer

A factory printing defect causing surface bubbles

Answer

Normal card aging that causes layers to split naturally

Answer

The process of removing a card from its PSA holder

Question 3

How does receiving a PSA Authentic (Altered) designation typically affect a card's market value?

Accepted Answer

It significantly decreases value compared to an unaltered copy with a numeric grade

Answer

It increases value because it confirms the card is genuine

Answer

It has no effect since the card is still authenticated

Answer

It only affects value for pre-war era cards

Question 4

Which type of restoration is considered most difficult to detect and requires the most specialized equipment to identify?

Accepted Answer

Subtle chemical cleaning that removes light stains without leaving visible residue

Answer

Obvious trimming visible to the naked eye

Answer

Heavy corner rebuilding with added material

Answer

Clearly visible recolored borders

Question 5

What does PSA do when a card is submitted that shows clear evidence of corner reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Labels it PSA Authentic (Altered) and returns it in a special holder

Answer

Assigns it a grade of 1 with a qualifier notation

Answer

Refuses to encapsulate it and returns it raw

Answer

Assigns it a PSA 2 grade with MK qualifier

Question 6

Which characteristic of card edges helps PSA distinguish a trimmed card from one with naturally uneven factory cuts?

Accepted Answer

Factory edges show consistent paper fiber patterns while trimmed edges show sharp clean cuts or irregular compressed fibers

Answer

Factory edges are always perfectly straight while trimmed edges are crooked

Answer

Factory edges have printed color bleeding while trimmed cards do not

Answer

Factory edges are thicker than trimmed edges

Question 7

What combination of tools does PSA typically use during a full tampering examination of a suspect card?

Accepted Answer

Calipers for measurement, UV light for surface treatments, and magnification for edge examination

Answer

Only a standard ruler and natural lighting

Answer

X-ray machine and digital scanner exclusively

Answer

Weight scale and color spectrometer only