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Does PSA Have a Tilt Policy?

PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,900 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I find image tilt to be one of the most visually disturbing defects of all, and yet I don't see any stated policy on tilt in the PSA grading standards. In theory, a card could have horrible tilt and still be no worse than 60/40 anywhere on the card.

I see ultra high grade cards with severe tilt and diamond cut all the time, like this one:

image


I understand it's a hard defect to quantify. since it's a matter of degree, but I'd like to see something in writing. I don't see how you can hammer a card for a tiny print bubble and yet ignore something as ugly as this.
My 1972 Baseball and Wacky Pack Registry Sets

Comments

  • ymareaymarea Posts: 1,576 ✭✭✭
    With PSA, tilt affects the grade only to the extent that it affects the card's centering. There is no automatic downgrade just because there is a tilt. There are many PSA 10's with tilts that are slight enough to still retain the required centering ratio.
    Brett
  • bkingbking Posts: 3,095 ✭✭


    << <i> I don't see how you can hammer a card for a tiny print bubble and yet ignore something as ugly as this. >>



    Preach it brutha!!!!
    ----------------------
    Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
    ----------------------

    Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,748 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As long as centering is within guidelines for the grade, there is no automatic downgrade for a tilt. If tilt is severe enough, the centering would be affected and the grade affected. FWIW, the tilt on that card pictured is rather minor.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • bkingbking Posts: 3,095 ✭✭
    I wish they did have a policy, at least for high-end grades. When one side of a tilt can be 50-50 and the other can be as far off as 65-35 and still get a 9, that's a pretty noticeable tilt.
    ----------------------
    Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
    ----------------------

    Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq
  • ThoseBackPagesThoseBackPages Posts: 4,871 ✭✭
    i would never bid on a PSA 9 that is that disgusting. tilt is unacceptable
    Big Fan of: HOF Post War RC, Graded RCs
    WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
  • PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,900 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I wish they did have a policy, at least for high-end grades. When one side of a tilt can be 50-50 and the other can be as far off as 65-35 and still get a 9, that's a pretty noticeable tilt. >>



    Even worse, picture a card that is 65/35 at the top and 35/65 at the bottom, and 50/50 in the middle. According to centering requirements, that's an 8!
    My 1972 Baseball and Wacky Pack Registry Sets
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,748 ✭✭✭✭✭
    One distinction that should be made is that a tilt is different from a diamond cut which is a card that is actually miscut like a parallelogram..


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,900 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>One distinction that should be made is that a tilt is different from a diamond cut which is a card that is actually miscut like a parallelogram.. >>



    Yes. There's a whole continuum of defects of this type that all have a similar visual presentation. Some cards are squarely cut on one side but then "drift" on the other. Often, the reverse of the card appears fine while the front has tilt, which makes it harder to tell what's going on without whipping out a T-square.

    I guess with diamond cuts, PSAs policy is that it doesn't affect the grade as long as the card fits in the case without mutilating it?

    My 1972 Baseball and Wacky Pack Registry Sets
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭
    I had to read the title twice.

    image



    << <i>I guess with diamond cuts, PSAs policy is that it doesn't affect the grade as long as the card fits in the case without mutilating it? >>



    I recall this being discussed some time ago and believe it comes down to centering guidelines. For me, it's eye appeal, regardless if it's a tilt or diamond cut.
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • MiniDuffMiniDuff Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭
    Tilt will disturb the eye and get you a 9. A snowflake, imo far less offensive, will get you a 7...
    1975 Mini Collector
    ebay id Duffs_Dugout
    My Ebay Auctions
  • GDM67GDM67 Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭✭
    It's my only really major disagreement with the PSA standards.
    My Sets
  • bkingbking Posts: 3,095 ✭✭


    << <i>Tilt will disturb the eye and get you a 9. A snowflake, imo far less offensive, will get you a 7... >>



    Don't get me started on how they treat a surface dent that you can only see at an angle...image
    ----------------------
    Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
    ----------------------

    Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq
  • handymanhandyman Posts: 5,388 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No tilt then you get soup.
  • corvette1340corvette1340 Posts: 3,384 ✭✭✭
    try to avoid going on tilt. It will cost you a lot of money.
  • CrazyMind2017CrazyMind2017 Posts: 1,205 ✭


    << <i>try to avoid going on tilt. It will cost you a lot of money. >>



    Going on a Tilt-a-Whirl at a carnival is a lot cheaper, and more fun too. Then watching my mom throw up after the ride is over and laughing at her for it is even better entertainment than the ride itself.
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