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World Series of Grading Contest - National

Hello Everyone:

We're getting close to the National so if you are interested in participating in the contest you still have time to sign up. You can call or e-mail Evelyn at her contact information below until 4:00 PM Pacific Time, Friday July 16th. After the 16th, you can stop by our booth to check for available appointments.

Carol


Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) will conduct the PSA World Series of Sports Card Grading©, a test of knowledge and skill about grading cards. Competition will be held at the PSA booth at National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, Thursday - Sunday, July 22 - 25, 2004.

"This is a winner-take-all competition to determine the top card grader at The National. The winner will receive $2,500 cash," said Joe Orlando, PSA President.

"Here's your chance to put your grading skills to the test and go up against the best among collectors and dealers. Who will be the top sports card grader? We'll find out."

Each contestant will have 15 minutes to examine 30 cards and determine their grades. The cards will be previously graded and encapsulated by PSA, and selected from the marketplace by Orlando and the grading staff. The test will cover cards from different eras and will range from pre-war era to modern issues.

The contestants will be scored on how many times their grades match those previously determined by PSA. In the event of a tie, there will be a tie-breaking round.

In the event that a contestant's grade does not match PSA's, the distance between the correct answer and the one entered by the contestant will count. For example, if the correct answer is, "Mint 9," but the contestant enters "Near Mint 7," a deduction of 2 points will be applied.

In addition, altered cards may be included on the test. An automatic deduction of 5 points will be applied if a contestant enters any grade for an altered card.

"Please keep in mind that the rules may change before the contest takes place. Check the PSA web site, psacard.com, for updates along the way," said Orlando.

Every contestant will receive a T-shirt commemorating the PSA World Series of Sports Card Grading.

The competition is open to anyone except current PSA employees. There is a $50 entry fee, and entrants must make a reservation to take the test at the National Sports Collectors Convention. Reservations will be accepted by contacting Evelyn Carrillo at PSA (phone 949-567-1160, e-mail evelyn@collectors.com).

"I expect the reservation times will fill up very quickly. There will be only a limited number of time slots available on a first-come, first served basis. Anyone who wants to enter the competition should promptly make a reservation to avoid being shut out," advised Orlando.


Comments

  • jrinckjrinck Posts: 1,321 ✭✭
    I think it would be cool to have an online version of the contest. Maybe PSA could give some high-res scans that show the flaws (or lack of them) on a number of cards, and let people see how sharp their grading skills might or might not be--similar to how many people on the boards post their owns scans asking for opinions.

    It would certainly be an education for all, and on a much grander scale than the contest at the National could be.
  • CuseSteveCuseSteve Posts: 106 ✭✭
    I totally agree...as a newbie, it would help me see the subtle differences between an 8 and a 9 or a 5 and a 6....
    Always looking for signed Cowboys items from the 'Landry years'
  • purelyPSApurelyPSA Posts: 712 ✭✭
    "Previously encapsulated"? Maybe some clarification there is necessary. Are we talking slabbed cards - in which case the "altered" cards will throw people off being in PSA slabs - or are they to be pre-graded, where maybe the card is in a semi-rigid holder?

    JMHO but I hope the cards aren't in PSA holders, because I think it's much easier to miss things when a card is in a holder than it is when it's raw - especially the tiny surface creases and alterations that will likely determine the winner of something like this.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    I wonder how many slots are still open? better hurry or you will get shut out.
    Good for you.
  • EagleEyeKidEagleEyeKid Posts: 4,496 ✭✭
    I don't have $50. Just spent $89 to renew my membership.
    I just got a cool PSA bag with my renewal kit. It's pretty cool.
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