PSA cert # question

djspann

Hi Everyone. I've been reading threads out here for a long time now, but haven't posted anything until now.

I have question about PSA cert #'s:

There have been a lot of PSA cards on eBay recently that have a cert # starting with a 0. (I generally buy football cards -- Chicles and 1948 through 1952) I've seen comments out here that cards slabbed with a cert # beginning with 0 are often times overgraded -- how much do you think they're overgraded? If it matters, I usually look for PSA 4's through 7's in the sets I mentioned.

I'd like to think I buy cards for the cards and not the slabs...but I suppose if you're competing on the PSA set registry, it's hard to justify that at times. Anyway, if I have a PSA 6, I want it to look like a PSA 6. I've seen some real dogs in PSA 6 (in my opinion of course), some with a cert # starting with 0 and some not.


Doug

Griffins

The theory was that all cards starting in 0 were overgraded, since they were graded early in PSA's history. This may have to do with a few examples that have been passed around continually. Additionally, there was one prominant persons collection graded early on and then liquidated, and the general concensus is that all of his cards were overgraded by 1-2 grades. As those cards have certs starting with 0 those may be a lot of the ones that are shown as examples of lower standards.
Recently, PSA has started using certs starting with 0 again.
FWIW, I've got lots of cards in my collection with 0 certs. Early on the grading fees were higher, and they didn't run specials. Only the best got graded, and I don't think the ones I have are graded to standards different than any other cert numbers.

Griffins

Oh, and welcome to the boards Doug!

Fabfrank

Doug- welcome to the boards. There is a saying around here "Buy the card, not the holder". Although the "0" cert rumor has been around for years, the majority I've seen have been fairly graded. Also, in the grades you mention (4-7), I believe grading has an even greater degree of subjectiveness. Check the card out (or see a scan) before buying any "0" cert card and you will protect yourself.

jojowest

I have many cards begining with 0 cert's that look better than cert's begining with #'s 4-7. I think it depends on the grader. If it's a nice looking card I don't care what the cert number starts with.

Kurtman9

PSA just recently resurrected zero cert numbers. I just rec'd a 227 card submission, all starting with 044 (sub #595668 zip 30189). I have seen many other recent subs come back with zero certs. I am sure there has got to be a reason for this, but not sure what it is.

djspann

Thanks for the posts -- It's all good information.

Doug

MorrellMan

Doug - welcome to the boards. Old "0" cert numbers can be identified from the new by the hologram on the back.