P S A Serial #'s

7orbetter

Does anyone have any insight on the first # of the serial # with cards graded from PSA? In my experience . . . most cards that begin with the number "0" seem as though they are overgraded at least 75% of the time with just the opposite occuring with cards beginning with the number "3". Is there a method to the madness?

wolfbear

7orbetter - Me thinks that cards that begin with a "0",
were graded a few years ago under less rigid standards by PSA.
I usually look a lot closer at those older cards as it seems most 'sliders' start with a "0".

I believe all cards starting with a "3" were graded within the last year.

crazysc

Until a few years ago, all cards started with zero. I first noticed non-zero numbers appearing in bulk orders, and later they started appearing in all orders. The generation of the numbers, while I'm sure PSA has a system to it, has a great deal of randomness - you can have two orders graded the same day with totally different number sequences. With 6 million odd cards graded, they could still be using all non-0 numbers if desired (PSA seriel numbers are 8 digits, the last 7 digits has 10,000,000 combinations).

It's interesting, because both BGS and SGC have pretty straightforward numberings. Beckett (at least initially, not so sure recently) simply had their numbers as an increasing sum - card #1000 was graded before #2000, etc. SGC has the first part of the number correspond to the invoice number, and the "suffix" is the card # in the order.

wackypackages

WOLFBEAR YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND. THE HOBBY'S BEST AND MOST ACCURATELY GRADED CARDS ARE IN THE OLDER PSA HOLDERS. THE REASON YOU THINK PSA'S STANDARDS ARE MORE RIGID NOW IS BECAUSE YOU SEE DEALERS PUTTING THEIR ENTIRE SUBMISSIONS OF NEW PSA HOLDER CARDS ON EBAY. THE OLDER PSA HOLDER CARDS ARE USUALLY SOLD ON EBAY BY COLLECTORS THAT ARE WEEDING OUT THE EXAMPLES THAT FALL ON THE LOWER END OF THE GRADE. THE BEST CARDS ARE IN THE OLDER PSA HOLDERS AND LOCKED AWAY IN PERSONAL COLLECTIONS.

srs1a

I bet to differ with xbox and tend to agree with wolfbear. IMHO (and based on my personal experience), PSA's grading standards did indeed evolve (getting tougher) over time. I personally feel that the hologram on the back is the best indicator, and take a very hard look at anything with the PSA hologram (-vs- the CU one).

I used to think that I had "cracked" PSA's numbering code, but I'm not so sure now. I felt that the first 2 numbers (01, 02, 03...whatever) corresponded to the grader (or a set of graders)..and the numbers following this were numbers of the cards that person (or persons) had graded. This seemed to track with my invoices. I'm curious if any one else has similar theories. Along this line, I always thought that I was lucky when I got back cards that started with 07 (easier grades)...and not so happy when they started with 04 (the grader of death??). This info is clearly dated and I have very little insight into the current numbering system.

Scott

toppsgun

XBox is wrong. Grading standards have evolved as competition caused all the major grading services to tighten up. I have it on very good authority from collectors who have complete graded sets. A majority of his cards "wouldn't grade as high if resubmitted again."

As for the serial #s on the cards. No, the first 2 numbers don't correspond to graders and don't have anything to do with the toughness of the grade. Exception....cards that start with 08 are cards that have been graded at shows. These grades are about 1/2 higher on the card....customers pay more for the grades...grades are better (most of the time).

The were about 25 graders there at one time and it was a big problem trying to get everyone to grade the same...hence, some were tough, some not so tough, and some just plain didn't know how to grade. There were checks, but not enough and cards slip through all the time. Colored border cards, 63s are a good example (with 53s and 71s) have the most variation. There is no clear consensus on how to grade those cards, because they are so different than others. I would say 63s and 71s had the widest range of possible grades. You could send the same card in 10 times and half you'd get a 7 and half you'd get an 8. All depends on the grader (and his mood).

7orbetter

CLEARLY, XBOX has no clue. . .as even I can figure that part out and I asked the question.

qmayer

I've always used the online form for my invoice and the serial numbers come back 302****.

Justin

Wabittwax

I always use the online form also and my numbers come back all over the map. I recently sent 5 invoices at the same time. Some came back 302..... and 401...... and 901....... That was about a month ago. Not sure what it means though. I am getting ready the send in about 275 more 1975 Topps cards when the next special hits and I will send them on about 6 different invoices so I will let you know what comes back with consistentcy and serial numbers.

BugOnTheRug

xbox is probably Kevin anyway...................................

BOTR

ydsotter

all of my cards start with #666. Is this bad? .......................

actually, we might want to try using "gematria" to break this psa numbering code... gematria was the numbering system used in the book of revelations so that the author could communicate with his audience without offending the roman empire...

cdbb

I heard if the star is inside the P, it means Hugh Hefner slept with the centerfold.

Caramels

<< <i>I've always used the online form for my invoice and the serial numbers come back 302****.

Justin,find me more pSA 9 75 Topps minis! I need 500 to complete my set!

qmayer

Caramels,

I've gotten out of the 75 Mini business. Set was too large and I didn't really have any reason to be collecting them except for something to do. I've changed my focus to the Nolan Ryan Player Set.

Justin

gcalex

I don't think one can generalize on older grades vs. newer grades. I think PSA has gone through any number of phases, at times they have been kinda lax, at times they have been too tough, and at least on the bigger cards, all the "bumps" they used to give dealers at the height of the Baker/Rocchi era (what other business in America could survive essentially admitting that it had made countless mistakes, but that is the essence of a "bump", now isn't it?) throw things off too. The best one can do is judge each card on its merits. Certainly some of the finest 8s I have EVER seen were in the VERY ANCIENT holders with the long barcode labels.