how did they grade before .5's?

BassPro77 · January 20, 2008 8:39AM

lets say I submitted a card and recieved an 8. do they round up or down? so it could have been a 7.5 or a 8.5.

swartz1 · January 20, 2008 8:40AM

I dont know ...but if you call Joe - tell me what he says...thanks!!!

WinPitcher · January 20, 2008 8:45AM

If what you mean is if say last yr u sent in a card and it got an 8?

If so, no, a card that would get a 7.5 on 2 1 08 would not have gotten an 8.

Cards that got 8's were 8 thru 8.99 thus the many different looking 8's

Cards that were 9's were 9 thru 9.99

Cards that were 10's were 10

At least that is how it was explained to me.

Steve

WinPitcher · January 20, 2008 8:46AM

I dont know ...but if you call Joe - tell me what he says...thanks!!!

lol good one.

steve

SportsItUpCards · January 20, 2008 8:51AM

LOL, before, an 8.5 was a 9, and a 7.5 was an 8, so I can see were people are so mad about this change. Me on the other hand, I collect modern autographs, and I really could care less about the grade of the card, its a perfect auto is what I want.

I just wana send my auto cards to PSA for the protection of the holder, and to be able to list them of the PSA set registry. I think PSA is the leader in the grading industry. I think BGS or any other company is "Payless Shoes" and PSA is the "Nike"!!!!!! IMO

Because other companies don't have a fee to grade with them dosen't mean there are better. In fact, they require no fee because they are trying to get up to PSA's level, which they can't! IMO LOL

If i'm not mistaken, PSA has always charged a fee right? So, when BGS came along, and they didn't charge a fee, should PSA have dropped their fee? I don't think so. I am mentioning this because, I have heard pleanty of people saying about the yearly fee.

You pay a fee for quality service! And if some of you have had some bad experiences with PSA, its not as bad as dealing with BGS, I tell you that. PSA is like being a member of a great Golf course club, and BGS is like being in some free cheap club!

There I go on a boring Sunday, LOL.

Giovanni

WinPitcher · January 20, 2008 8:53AM

before, an 8.5 was a 9, and a 7.5 was an 8,

Not true Johnny.

Re read my post.

Steve

SportsItUpCards · January 20, 2008 9:02AM

<< <i>before, an 8.5 was a 9, and a 7.5 was an 8,

Not true Johnny.

Re read my post.

Steve >>

Steve,

I'm sure you've had more experience with grading, but from what I have seen, thats my understanding, LOL. I remember that offcentered PSA 10, that was posted on these boards not to long ago, i'm talking about when you said, a 10 is a 10.

I think they should come out with "RoboGrader" already!

A computerized grading machine, that looks at centering, corners, edges and surface, and I guess forget about the eye appeal, LOL.

I guess humans will always make mistakes, but I sure trust PSA more than anybody else!

My fault Steve, LOL.

Giovanni

WinPitcher · January 20, 2008 9:04AM

No problem Johnny, that was what I was told from guys that were here in the beginning. It may look differently but to get an 8 a card was an 8 and up.

Steve

storm888 · January 20, 2008 9:12AM

I believe a 9 or a 10 is/was just that.

That STILL does not mean a 9 cannot become a 10 upon "review."

The "slop/wiggle-room" in the criteria comes in as you go DOWN the grading-scale.

The .5 will fit into that "slop."

........

GEM-MT 10: Gem Mint.

A PSA Gem Mint 10 card is a virtually perfect card. Attributes include four perfectly sharp corners, sharp focus and full original gloss. A PSA Gem Mint 10 card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doesn't impair the overall appeal of the card. The image must be centered on the card within a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 to 60/40 percent on the front, and 75/25 percent on the reverse.
MINT 9: Mint.

A PSA Mint 9 is a superb condition card that exhibits only one of the following minor flaws: a very slight wax stain on reverse, a minor printing imperfection or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 60/40 to 65/35 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
NM-MT 8: Near Mint-Mint.

A PSA NM-MT 8 is a super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the card can exhibit the following: a very slight wax stain on reverse, slightest fraying at one or two corners, a minor printing imperfection, and/or slightly off-white borders. Centering must be approximately 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.
NM 7: Near Mint.

A PSA NM 7 is a card with just a slight surface wear visible upon close inspection. There may be slight fraying on some corners. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. A minor printing blemish is acceptable. Slight wax staining is acceptable on the back of the card only. Most of the original gloss is retained. Centering must be approximately 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
EX-MT 6: Excellent-Mint.

A PSA EX-MT 6 card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect which does not detract from its overall appeal. A very light scratch may be detected only upon close inspection. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may show some loss of original gloss, may have minor wax stain on reverse, may exhibit very slight notching on edges and may also show some off-whiteness on borders. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

BenOutbid · January 20, 2008 9:22AM

I am 100% ambivalent about the change in grading, and I will continue to do business with PSA. I have many graded cards and partcipate in the registry. But I was interested today when I began to look at which cards I might resubmit - and here is my observation. I can certainly tell the difference in 8's that I have. Is this going to mean that when I submit an 8 that is noticeably different (better centering or no corner touches, etc.) than other 8's - I will automatically be given the 8.5? Otherwise, what specific differences in 8's are going to be worth the bump? Moreover, if I can see the difference - is it possible that one can identify cards that are "between" an 8 and an 8.5 - perhap an 8.25?
Again, I have no energy around the change is business model, it's a decision that has been made. But it is going to be interesting for me to see what differences in the current grades will warrant the bump. I hope it is relatively clear. Regards, David

storm888 · January 20, 2008 9:35AM

"I hope it is relatively clear. "

////////////////////////////

It will be VERY clear.

Folks who have been buying "high-end for the grade" cards will
absolutely have their opinions confirmed.

The fact is, MOST people here already know what a .5 card looks like.
They have been buying them for YEARS.

BenOutbid · January 20, 2008 9:47AM

So the assumption is that MOST of the people here will have no problem submitting their cards for the higher grade. My suspicions are it won't be quite that clean, but thanks for the reply. D

jaxxr · January 20, 2008 9:53AM

"The fact is, MOST people here already know what a .5 card looks like."

Very true, however not all,
as it appears the staff of PSA for instance, cant figure out what a 9.5 card could possibly be.

The reverse centering gives PSA such an easy way to add 9.5s and be complete and consistent with the new half grades.
As posted above, the centering must be at least 75-25 on the card's back for a 10. Simply alter that and make it 60-40 for tens, thus poorer centering within the acceptable range gets a 9.5.

ALL nines are not equal, nor are any other grade !

bigdcards · January 20, 2008 10:54AM

<< <i>"I hope it is relatively clear. "

////////////////////////////

It will be VERY clear.

Folks who have been buying "high-end for the grade" cards will
absolutely have their opinions confirmed.

The fact is, MOST people here already know what a .5 card looks like.
They have been buying them for YEARS. >>

I look forward to seeing you post multiple submissions with a 98% bump rate.

storm888 · January 20, 2008 11:02AM

"I look forward to seeing you post multiple submissions with a 98% bump rate. "

////////////////////////////////////////

That's pretty high.

Cards purchased online during the past five-years
will likely have a MUCH lower bump-rate than those
purchased in person.

There is no reason to submit stuff that is obviously
not going to make it. Since folks know that, the
bump-rate should be pretty high.

We will all know, soon.

jdip9 · January 20, 2008 10:47PM

i agree with storm....If you submitted a card that you thought was a surefire 9, and it came back an 8, I'd say the odds are greater than 90% that you'll get the bump to 8.5....

storm - you mentioned that it is possible for a reviewed card to get bumped a full grade? is this true? I was under the impression it could only be bumped to an 8.5...otherwise it would mean that PSA admits to making a mistake with its original grade?

WinPitcher · January 21, 2008 12:14AM

From what I have been told (and this is from someone in the know) just because a card appears hi end for the grade does not mean it will get the bump. The corners must be better then 8, the centering must be better then the 8 standard and so on. So just because you have a dead centered PSA 8 card does not mean you will get the bump.

All the previous standards (not just eye appeal) will be factored.

Steve

WinPitcher · January 21, 2008 12:16AM

you mentioned that it is possible for a reviewed card to get bumped a full grade? is this true?

I'll let Storm answer this too, but from what i understand yes that is true as well.

I think many people will be dissapointed in the % of bumps they get.

Steve

gemint · January 21, 2008 12:31AM

<< <i>I dont know ...but if you call Joe - tell me what he says...thanks!!! >>

Joe said the graders will put together all the cards of a certain grade (8 for example). Then when they are done with the order, they will go through those cards and see if any stand out as strong for their grade. He said the cards can still have '8' corners, e.g., some wear, but they should be well centered and have great print quality (no PDs, nice gloss). He doesn't expect a huge % of 8's to bump to 8.5. One advanced collector submitted about 100-125 of his nicest 8s. He thought for sure most would bump. Only about 20% ended up in the higher grade.

storm888 · January 21, 2008 12:49AM

"storm - you mentioned that it is possible for a reviewed card to get bumped a full grade? is this true? I was under the impression it could only be bumped to an 8.5...otherwise it would mean that PSA admits to making a mistake with its original grade? "

//////////////////////////////

Q: How can I get a second opinion on a PSA graded card?

A: PSA can review any card(s) that you feel warrant a different grade. To utilize our review service, please fill out a submission form and mark the submission type as “Review” and then select the appropriate service level.

..............

Prior to the 2-1-08 change, all "reviews" were for a one-point bump.

After the change, 8s will still be submitted in search of a 9; and 9s looking for a 10.

PSA will review for any criteria that you request.

MorrellMan · January 21, 2008 12:51AM

Now if uh, six uh, huh, turned out to be nine
Oh I don't mind, I don't mind uh ( Well all right... )
If all the hippies cut off all their hair
Oh I don't care, oh I don't care.
Dig.

'Cause I've got my own world to live through and uh, huh
And I ain't gonna copy you.

WinPitcher · January 21, 2008 12:56AM

Yikes! 20% out of 125 cards that the submitter thought were his best.

Steve

BobaFett72 · January 21, 2008 1:00AM

im fairly certain the give all cards to this lady:

and then she mumbles something. they then flip a coin.
then you get your new magically assigned grade

itzagoner · January 21, 2008 1:00AM

Five to one, baby
One in five
No one here gets out alive, now
You get yours, baby
Ill get mine
Gonna make it, baby
If we try

how did they grade before .5's?

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