Need Some PSA Grading Advice
Bigdaddy101
Posts: 8
I need some expert grading advice, and I know I'm in the right place. My question concerns scratches on cards.
Let's say I have a beautiful 1966 Topps card that would rate PSA 8 in all respects (corners, edges, centering, color and gloss), except that upon extremely close inspection, under magnification, there appears to be a small light scratch on the surface. Keep in mind that it's often difficult to really tell if it's actually a scratch - it may just be a slight printing defect such as a print line (i.e., where it is slightly raised above the surface). Also keep in mind that sometimes these types of scratches can only be seen when the card's surface is refracted under different shades of light under magnification. This type of condition would certainly never be detected in connection with a grading crossover service, where the grading company has to peer through the plastic holder to try and determine surface condition.
Now my question. Would PSA drop this card to a PSA 6 rating due to the minimal surface scratch (as their grading guidelines appear to state), or would this slight defect be considered in connection with the card's other outstanding attributes, thus allowing a grade of PSA 7 or PSA 8?
Your experiences with this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Let's say I have a beautiful 1966 Topps card that would rate PSA 8 in all respects (corners, edges, centering, color and gloss), except that upon extremely close inspection, under magnification, there appears to be a small light scratch on the surface. Keep in mind that it's often difficult to really tell if it's actually a scratch - it may just be a slight printing defect such as a print line (i.e., where it is slightly raised above the surface). Also keep in mind that sometimes these types of scratches can only be seen when the card's surface is refracted under different shades of light under magnification. This type of condition would certainly never be detected in connection with a grading crossover service, where the grading company has to peer through the plastic holder to try and determine surface condition.
Now my question. Would PSA drop this card to a PSA 6 rating due to the minimal surface scratch (as their grading guidelines appear to state), or would this slight defect be considered in connection with the card's other outstanding attributes, thus allowing a grade of PSA 7 or PSA 8?
Your experiences with this issue would be greatly appreciated.
0
Comments
I have not seen a printline that I could feel. If it looks like a scratch and it can be felt with your finger or by dragging you finger nail backwards across the mark it is a scratch. If it is so light that it has to be held at an angle in bright light, and this is the only defect that would drop it from a PSA 8, it will not be dropped two grades. I am also assuming that it is a fairly short surface scratch. I have seen plenty of 7's with scratches and even some 8's. I am discussing cards from 1970 and back, if you have a nice shiney new card, I have no idea. With new cards, any defect may be fatal.
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Welcome to the boards...
Sounds like it's still an 8 to me...
Good luck
Larry
email....emards4457@msn.com
CHEERS!!
I have submitted several cards that had the characteristics that you talk about (8 in every respect except for the light scratch or 2). Most of the ones I submitted had the scratch that could only be seen by holding the card under light at an angle. In my case, almost every one still came back as an 8. I did get a 7 or two, no 6s or 5s. I have gotten cards back as 6s or 5s that I thought were 8s before, but that was because of the dreaded surface wrinkle I missed on inspection, not from a scratch.
David
1974 Topps Baseball PSA 8+
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