Question on grading edges and surface

vigo2025

Hi everyone, I am grading some Topps Tiffany cards, and I am struggling with 2 issues :

(1) How do I tell the difference between flawed edges and a rough cut (for which PSA will not penalize the grade)? I'm having a hard time finding the line between the two.

(2) What counts as an imperfection in the gloss on the surface for Topps Tiffany? Obviously any spot or one-off blemish stands out as an obvious flaw, but I'm wondering if I maybe missing something more general about the quality of the glossy surface on a Tiffany.

Thanks in advance.

vigo2025

I should add I have a loupe and am able to get a good close look at the edges, I am struggling with understanding the distinction between a bad edge for which a card will be penalized versus a good edge with a rough cut for which it won't be penalized. Thanks again.

Dgilbert

well if the damage on the edge is visible to the naked eye, I would say it's chipping. If only visible with the loop its more likely a rough cut. The rough cuts that I have encountered may be isolated to one edge of the card Eg.. the top of the card, and would generally run the length of the top edge. Chipping would be a little more sporadic and likely on multiple edges. With a rough cut top edge the other 3 edges could be perfect.,

vigo2025

Thanks for the reply. Attached are a couple photos of a PSA 10 I acquired recently (didn't grade myself) with a rough cut clearly visible to the naked eye. Maybe this shouldn't have been a 10, I don't know, but I'm more concerned with my own submissions - I don't want to submit a bunch of cards that have a rough edge and are already disqualified from gemming, but I also don't want to rule out a bunch of otherwise perfect cards if all they have is an allowable rough cut...

80sOPC

These two naked eyes don’t see a rough cut on that card

vigo2025

In the second photo, really? Here's another closeup of the bottom edge. Beyond this example, I'm really more interested in how people discern when they submit between "rough cut" and "bad edge." Thanks again for your responses.

JoeBanzai

To me the difference between a rough cut and "chipping" is that on a rough cut the surface of the card is all there, and generally (like on your example) the card is a little bigger than normal. Chipping (to me) is where the card is the correct size, usually has straight edges but some of the surface (usually front) of the card is missing, usually due to the cutting process.

Secondly, with grading fees what they are combined with PSA's seeming reluctance to give out 10's, you would be wise to send in only the most valuable, nicest cards. Expect 9's. When I submit, I don't send in anything that will be a money loser if it comes back a 9.

Unfortunately there is subjectivity to grading. People are also human and make mistakes. I have rarely gotten back a card with a higher than expected grade.

I'll say it for what seems like the millionth time; PLEASE post some scans of the cards you are concerned with. There are several people here willing to help you.

vigo2025

Thanks for this response - that distinction is helpful - often I hear people use words like "jagged" to describe a bad edge, which doesn't seem to exclude rough cuts, but something added versus something missing is at least discernible.

Understood about expecting a lot of 9s - but still feel like getting a handle on this principle is worth it at any grade.

dan89

True rough cut for sure