Grading Process At PSA Today

Mefer

Greetings All--

In the next couple of weeks, I will be sending in my first submission in close to two years. I have some very nice raw cards (a hodge podge of things) coming my way and, like many of you, hope and pray to do well on the grades.

With that background out of the way, does anyone have any insight on the grading process today? By that I mean the number of graders, how many graders review a submission, etc. I know there is always talk of the infamous "Grader of Death" (whether such a person exists is debatable but not the purpose of the thread) and the (rightfully so) frustrations with long waits on some submissions.

Those things aside, learning more about the process would be interesting. Besides viewing the video that was up some time ago (not sure if it is still there), I am not sure what else is really known or shared. It would be interesting to see another such video that follows a card from receipt to encapsulation.

The whole grading model is fascinating (at least I find it to be). Sure, I enjoy scrutinizing cards as much as the next enthusiast but I do not think I would have the mental stamina to do it day after day and actually review the number of cards needed to remain profitable (I have to imagine, and this is totally an assumption on my part, that the graders are required to grade "X" amount of cards an hour). It also has to take a toll on the eyesight.

In any event, it would be interesting to learn more about the process. While we are at it, someone please sign PSA up for the "How It Is Made" show. That would be fun to watch!

Matt

Sean1125

Already done

Mefer

Thanks Sean. I am trying to recall if that is the video I had seen previously (I believe it might be). However, what it does not answer for me still is how many different graders review your card. It denotes an authentication step and then a grading step. Does the same grader do both steps? Is it just a single grader that determines the grade? How much time is spent on a card? (I am assuming the answer to the last question will/should depend on the issue and the value of the card).

It does make sense to have an authentication step first in order to allow the next step focus purely on grading without having to worry about authentication. Again, however, it would be interesting to know if the same person does both steps or if it is different persons.

Matt

ddfamf

I was under the assumption that 3 different graders evaluated each card.

Mefer

<< <i>I was under the assumption that 3 different graders evaluated each card. >>



I had heard/read something along those lines years ago but do not know if it is true or not. The video provided by Shawn (thanks again for that) is vague on that point.

jwilson6204

The book Mint Condition describes the process. The writer took a tour and describes the process from start to finish. the book is a great read on the history of cards.

Publius

<< <i>I was under the assumption that 3 different graders evaluated each card. >>



There is a program that dictates how many graders see a card. A 1988 Topps football card sees 1 grader. A 35 chicle Nagurski sees 3 graders.

Some cards see one, grader assigns grade and it gets slabbed
Some cards get two graders. One grader gives it a grade, second grader gives it a grade without knowing the first guys grade, it the grades match it gets slabbed. If the grades do not match, the card goes to "third base", or a third grader. If third grader grades it and it matches either of the two it gets slabbed.

Some cards get three graders. Third grader is always Rezza, the "grader of death"

kmnorton

I get what you are talking about with multiple graders, just reads funny when you write "a third grader" grades it. Seems like it sometimes.