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Serial/cert numbers on our PSA slabs

onegauchoonegaucho Posts: 650 ✭
in PSA Set Registry Forum
I just saw a post where someone mentioned the "dreaded" slabs that start with 02's... (anyone know what they meant by that?)

I also know that some of the certs that start with a certain number (ie. 09?) are the ones graded on-site at major shows.

Recently, PSA made some fanfare about card 07000000 being a 56T PSA 8 Jackie Robinson and that it was the 7 millionth graded card. I'm just curious about 2 things:

1. Anyone want to chime in with what they know about the numbering scheme
2. I checked 00000001 - obviously that's the Honus Wagner, but I tried 00000002 and nothing came up. If they don't number them sequentially, how do they ultimately track what the "7 millionth" card is?

Comments

  • AlanAllenAlanAllen Posts: 1,530 ✭✭✭
    There are rumors about serial numbers starting with zero being graded more leniently. When I bought the card mentioned in the post, I didn't have very many PSA cards and none of them started with 02, so I didn't know whether to believe the rumor. After seeing the card and many since, I have thoroughly disregarded the rumor.

    As for the numbering scheme in general, I don't know. Honus was given a special number as was the Clemente, but in general the serial numbers are not assigned consecutively. I think the best theory is that each grader is assigned a 2 digit code which are the first 2 digits of the serial number.

    Joe
    No such details will spoil my plans...
  • sjeanblancsjeanblanc Posts: 379 ✭
    If thats true, we should be able to identify "Darth Grader"! :=)

  • LateBloomerLateBloomer Posts: 98
    I've been working on a 61 Topps registry set for about a year and this is my theory:

    While there doesn't seem to be strict sequential numbering of the slabs, most often numbers starting with 0 were among the first graded by PSA. My assumption is based on this reasoning:

    1) Many of the cards that start with 0 have 'crude' labels. [I'm sure you've noticed the labels that looked like they were typed out on an old typewriter right? Makes me think that PSA started with basic equipment and eventually they were able to upgrade to better printers. But this gives credence to the theory that early grades start with 0]

    2) I see a lot of star cards, especially Mantle cards, that start with 0. [Since it would make sense that collectors would send in their high-end star cards to be graded 1st, I reasoned that these were early grade numbers assigned by PSA ]

    3) Some of the 8's that start with 0 look like 7's.... some of the 9's that start with 0 look like 8's (IMO). [The thinking here is that early on, graders were somewhat inexperienced and searching for a 'baseline' for grading the cards. The inexperience and lack of a baseline led to lenient grading. As time went on the graders saw more and more cards and standards had to be bumped up otherwise everything that came in the door would be assigned a 9 or 10]

    Generally, (but not always), I try to avoid cards that start with 0.

    Any other theories out there?
    Tom

  • NewbietoPSANewbietoPSA Posts: 129 ✭
    The order I just got back from psa, all the cards were consecutively numbered.
  • EvilleKlownieEvilleKlownie Posts: 43 ✭

    ATTN : NewbietoPSA : Please go away now Troll !

  • LateBloomerLateBloomer Posts: 98
  • LateBloomerLateBloomer Posts: 98
    EvilleKlownie

    Please restrict future postings only to relevant information applicable to the topic at hand.

    Thanks,
    Tom
  • SOMSOM Posts: 1,555 ✭✭✭
    As far as "starting with zero," I have quite a few 8's that begin with 0, and they look like they could be nines. And I even have some zero-prefaced 9's that "should be 10's."

    I don't think generalizations work in trying to decrypt the serial numbering system. But, it's only my opinion...
  • LateBloomerLateBloomer Posts: 98
    SOM.... Of course you are right. Generally I should try to avoid making generalizations. But usually they are right.... sometimes!
  • SOMSOM Posts: 1,555 ✭✭✭
    I know what you mean, LB! Usually I'm right sometimes, too...sometimes! image

    Here is what I really fear might be happening, as far as serial numbering, trimming, etc:

    Now that the graded card industry has leveled the field (somewhat) between buyer and seller, I am worried that sellers are going to come up with these new schemes to take our money. For example:

    "Oh, that card's not really a 9; that serial number starts with XXXX, so it is really an 8, and I can't pay you a PSA 9 price for that card. (However I can give you 5% SMR for it!)"

    Or..."Oh, sorry. That card was submitted by XXX, a known trimmer. Your PSA 9 is worthless. (However, I will give you 5% SMR for it!)"

    Etc etc etc.

    Please say it ain't so!
  • 67standup67standup Posts: 833 ✭
    One way to alleviate this scenario from occurring is to quit making it a topic. The only reason PSA certs with 0 is an area of concern is because we're all feeding the fire. Let it go, this is a silly rumor (and no I don't have many certs that start with zero.)
    “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” - George Carlin
  • LateBloomerLateBloomer Posts: 98
    67standup,

    Perhaps you have a point.... lets say for a moment that the "early grades start with zero theory" is silly. If so then how would you explain the following observation?



    << <i>1) Many of the cards that start with 0 have 'crude' labels. [I'm sure you've noticed the labels that looked like they were typed out on an old typewriter right? Makes me think that PSA started with basic equipment and eventually they were able to upgrade to better printers. But this gives credence to the theory that early grades start with 0] >>



    Tom
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