This may sound really stupid, but I really want to know the answer

AtlFalconsAzDbacks

I am SUPER confused by the PSA system of grading autographed cards. It says on the site, that they dont grade cards autographed pre-1998, if so, then how come people have PSA/DNA ceritified in their sets? I looked at the psa/dna site, and they have prices for certain players, but what if the player isnt on the list. And if he is, does PSA/DNA grade the card and autograph? Or just the autograph, then you submit the card to PSA?
Whats the system for this.
What if i wanted to grade a 1996 Steve Trachsel card, signed by him. Can I?
im so confused, ive never thought of getting my autographed cards graded, so I have no experience.
help please!

BigRedMachine

Cards dated 1998-present can be sent in to be "graded" by PSA under any of the service levels they provide. Premium, express, modern, regular, etc.

For cards with an autograph issued before 1998 need to be sent in to PSA's authentication service. There's a spot on the submissions to check. You can then chose to have the autograph authenticated, or have the auto authenticated and the card graded.

So you have an option to have your card come back slabbed saying "Authentic Autograph" with or without the card having a grade. If you had a 1956 Mantle card with an autograph, but the card had a pinhole through it, you may wish to have the slab saying the auto was genuine, and not have a PSA 1 next to it.

Make sense?

The difference is, the autograph stuff is a minimum $20.

So if you had a 1998 Steve Trachsel auto, you might be able to wait for a special and get it graded for $5.
But a 1996 is going to cost you $20, and that's not including shipping and insurance charges.

But cards with an auto after 1998 are already authenticated by the manufacturer, so there is less work involved for PSA.

Hope that helps, that's my understanding.

shawn