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What makes a PSA 10 ?

I figured I would start this top because I have a ton of PSA 9 cards that I think should be 10.

Firstly, I think we all look for anything obvious on the card -- creases, dents, marks etc.

Secondly, we look at the card centering.


Thirdly, the 4 corners are crip (not dinged)

Lastly, overall shine, luster and presentation of the card.


I have many cards that are flawless in this regard but constantly get 9's.

Manny's Pinnacle Rookie never seems to get a 10 but my 9's look perfect ?


Anyone have insight here ? (figured it may be a good discussion)

thanks
Buying:
Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”

Comments

  • I have submitted about a 1000 cards that are in PSA 9 holders that are supposed to be 10's.
  • Perfection, Oh sorry that's an SGC100 - "PRISTINE"
    30's R Want List:

    R73 1933 Goudey Indian Gum - Series 288 - Nos. 118
    Also looking for 1953 Parkhurst & 1953 Quaker Oats Ripley's BION.

    If you have any available for sale PM me
  • nam812nam812 Posts: 10,600 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Secondly, we look at the card centering. >>



    That's first for me. If it doesnt have that, I dont have to go forward.
  • thedutymonthedutymon Posts: 4,323
    Good day,
    After 10,000 submissions....Luck of the draw. Like Bill said I have thousands of 9's that should be in 10 holders.

    Neil
    Actually Collect Non Sport, but am just so full of myself I post all over the place !!!!!!!
  • jeffcbayjeffcbay Posts: 8,950 ✭✭✭✭
    I also start off with the centering, then I move to the corners, then edges, then surface (front and back). I don't pay too much attention to the back's centering, unless it's WAY off.
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,163 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Who knows what really makes a 10. I have an opinion as to what SHOULD make a 10. In my opinion, a 10 should be a 9 that is absolutely, positively, dead on centered. In my opinion, this only difference between a 9 and a 10 should be centering. I mean, Mint is Mint, right? So, Gem Mint should be Mint with extra eye appeal. The only thing you can really see with the naked eye that can make a difference is centering.

    Shane

  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    What makes a 10 a 10? PSA.


    Steve
    Good for you.
  • gameusedhoopgameusedhoop Posts: 3,623 ✭✭✭✭
    A decent card and a "well known" submitter.
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,449 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm thinkin' - one heck of a nice card.

    I'll take a nice 8 any day at a fraction of the cost.

    image
    Mike
  • gameusedhoop;

    I'll second thatimage

    SKY
    The Sky Pilot

    image
  • hammeredhammered Posts: 2,671 ✭✭✭
    Seriously, though, in my experience the biggest factor that separates well-centered and sharp 9s from well-centered and sharp 10s is picture registration. If focus is clear and registration is perfect (which is more rare than many think) it has a good shot at a 10. That's what gives it the extra eye appeal that graders like.

    Edited to add that if you are looking for resubbing candidates from 9 to 10, look not only at the photo's registration, but also the registration on the border of the picture and text - make sure they line up perfectly. Otherwise, it will still be a 9.
  • bobbybakerivbobbybakeriv Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭
    I agree with Hammered. The key is registration. This separates the 10s from all the rest...
  • the difference is people crazy enough to pay silly money for one grade higher image

    i'd be happy with an 8, or a raw card that looks like one for 1/10th of the price image
  • jswietonjswieton Posts: 2,870 ✭✭✭
    I feel that the corners play a big part between a 9 and a 10. If you look at a corner under a loop or magnifying glass you can see subtle difference between a 9 and 10. Even though a corner may appear sharp and perfect to the naked eye there may be slight imperfections that can cause the card to grade a 9.
  • If Jacqueline Smith was a PSA 9 and Cheryl Ladd was a PSA 10, would you be unhappy with the PSA 9 ?

    However, to answer your question, I don't agree that a PSA 10 can have a printers mark on it. I've seen PSA 10's
    with a print dot and that takes away from the eye appeal IMO.
  • richtreerichtree Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭
    I guess I get mad when I put in 10 potential 10's and get back 10 - 9's...

    at least beckett tells you why.

    I think all psa 9's should come with reason for not being a 10 ...

    What do you thinK ?

    Buying:
    Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
    80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
    90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
    90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
    1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
    81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
    91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”
  • jradke4jradke4 Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭
    when i have multiples of one card that i want graded i start by looking at the corners and edges (for some issues black borders for example). then i move on to centering. then if there are any that are still "tied" i move on to gloss etc. usually by then there arent any ties.

    however my last two subs were my best ever, over 50% 10's on subs with 150+ cards. all were either finest or chromes which can have scratches. almost all i only had one card. so how about that. i didnt even look at any of them that carefully, just sent them all in even the doubles.
    Packers Fan for Life
    Collecting:
    Brett Favre Master Set
    Favre Ticket Stubs
    Favre TD Reciever Autos
    Football HOF Player/etc. Auto Set
    Football HOF Rc's
  • dioworlddioworld Posts: 140 ✭✭


    << <i>I guess I get mad when I put in 10 potential 10's and get back 10 - 9's...

    at least beckett tells you why.

    I think all psa 9's should come with reason for not being a 10 ...

    What do you thinK ? >>




    Totally agree, they should give more reasoning
    Sometimes our card got rejected, like card got trimmed or altered, but they didn't tell you where/why
    I always think a little two line comment from them would be good
  • akuracy503akuracy503 Posts: 1,923 ✭✭✭
    Does anyone notice a trend in how busy PSA are depending on the time of year?

    Does workload affect grading trends...

    If it were a Friday before a 3 day holiday weekend does the grader tend to be happier thus more lenient...

    We're all humans...food for thought...

    CU Ancient Members badge member.

    Collection: https://flickr.com/photos/185200668@N06/albums

  • thunderdanthunderdan Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭
    I especially ask myself this question regarding the 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson RC.

    I've owned a few with perfect centering front and back, no chipping along the edges that were 9s. The last 10 I saw for sale didn't have close to 50/50 centering on the front. Maybe with this particular card there's a rare few with superior registration. Who knows...
    image


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