what exactly does "miscut" indicate?

lightningboy

When grading cards, how does PSA distinguish a card that is miscut? Some are quite obvious if they are missing a border. But, what about cards that nicely centered on the front and off centered (I.e 80/20) on the back. I'm just trying to gain a better understanding of what causes PSA to give an "MC". Thanks, Tom

Davis

Do you have an example of one that is nicely centered on front and offcenter on the back?

Here is PSA's explanation of the MC qualifier:
MC (Miscut):
Cards that exhibit an atypical cut for the issue or ones that contain partial portions of more than one card will be designated "MC."

PaulMaul

Are we talking about the MC qualifier, or the N8 no-grade?

For the N8, I've seen many different defects lead to this result, but never consistently. For example, cards on the edge of a sheet will often be cut with an edge tapering out at the top:



The card above was given an N8, but then graded upon re-sub. I don't believe the N8 is handled consistently.

lightningboy

The card in question appears to have even edges all around (no diamond cut or flared corners). It is centered about 55/45 all around front and a little better than 80/20 l - r on the back. The card was listed as miscut, but I don't see it.

Nikklos

One interesting thing I have found about No Grade Miscuts is that if you do manage to subsequently get them graded, the grades can be sweet. I have had two not graded miscuts come back as PSA 10 Gem Mint.

Edit to add - it is worth noting that I did not see anything in those cards that would indicate "miscut" and was surprised by the initial no grade.

KbKards

I'm just trying to gain a better understanding of what causes PSA to give an "MC".

Your example of a nicely centered front and off centered (I.e 80/20) on the back won't get an MC, or even an OC in most grades.

The MC qualifier is used when the centering would measure 100/0 or worse, like when part of picture or text is cut off or showing from the next card. On some issues the reverse is given a little more leeway when the design of the card commonly causes poor centering on the back, like the 1953 Topps number circle on back and stat boxes and copyright lines from many years.

lightningboy

Thanks. That is what I was thinking regarding MC to OC. I think they simply used the incorrect term. Plus this card is only a 6 at best so 80/20 back is a non issue.

itzagoner

they will also reject cards with borders that don't appear perfectly level, as sometimes there will be a little hump where the border juts outward, common to the cuts of old vintage Topps cards and one of the reasons these examples wind up getting trimmed. the best way to detect such a flaw is to hold the card perpendicular to a flat surface and see if any light peeks through.

i've seen cards like this get resubbed and graded as well.

mtcards

Pan Am Games Frank Thomas has writing on the back from a bordering card...this is evident in ALL of those cards. PSA will sometimes give it a MC and sometimes not depending on the grader...on this card no consistency is evident as I have two 9 MC that should both be sitting in a 10. When I spoke with them on this they said that since the card falls under the MC due to the print from a bordering card (even though the Thomas is perfectly centered front/back), that a 10 would be impossible, so I asked them to explain why there are 10's out there....the answer was <<crickets>>

PaulMaul

<< <i>One interesting thing I have found about No Grade Miscuts is that if you do manage to subsequently get them graded, the grades can be sweet. I have had two not graded miscuts come back as PSA 10 Gem Mint.

Edit to add - it is worth noting that I did not see anything in those cards that would indicate "miscut" and was surprised by the initial no grade. >>



Funny you mention that, as the card I showed in my picture that got the N8 also came back a 10 the second time around....

Nikklos

This card - sorry don't have pic of back but it was perfect - originally came back not graded Miscut.



Now it sits in a 10 holder.

JoeBanzai

<< <i>The card in question appears to have even edges all around (no diamond cut or flared corners). It is centered about 55/45 all around front and a little better than 80/20 l - r on the back. The card was listed as miscut, but I don't see it. >>



Welcome to my world!

Several months ago I sent in a submission. I rarely buy, much less submit, off center cards. Several very nice cards came back as "miscut". One was actually oversized, I had missed that, so that made sense. The others all got sent back in and came back with grades ranging from 7-9 with no qualifiers.

Can't for the life of me figure it out, but it happened to me at least on one other occasion.

OH WELL!

PaulMaul

The Strawberry looks like it has the same type of minor flare cut as mine on left side.

Nikklos

<< <i>The Strawberry looks like it has the same type of minor flare cut as mine on left side. >>



It's funny how some graders really like the flare cut and others don't. Like tilts.