PSA grading standards over time

slum22

On eBay listings, I frequently see sellers describe their card as residing in an "old label" as if this should attach a certain premium to the card they are selling. Other times, I will see sellers use the opposite and say that the card is newly graded. Is there anything to the idea that one flip makes a difference versus another? Obviously sellers will say whatever they can to make their item more attractive, but I would think that the idea is that old labels or new labels are more valuable because they were graded under stricter guidelines. Is there any merit to the idea that either the old flip or new flip was/is harder to achieve better grades?

graygator

I always assume they say "old label" to mean pre half-point grading, which includes the suggestion that maybe the card will bump on review and be worth more. Of course you can't know whether it's been reviewed already or not, but that's what I take the selling point to be.

LarkinCollector

For the old flips, I think the draw is pre-half point grading and the potential for half bumps. For the new holders, I think the draw is greater tamper-evident/proof cases. I'm sure there are certain buyers targeting each.

70ToppsFanatic

The "old" slabs are mentioned when a card was graded prior to the introduction of the 0.5 point grading system.

I guess the theory is that cards in older slabs that were strong for the grade, but did not have the chance to be
considered for the 0.5 point grade, have a "better" chance of being bumped than new cards which are simply
submitted for review.

As for "newly" graded, there are some who believe that the grading process and application of the grading standards
has become more conservative in recent years (thus a newly graded "8" would somehow be superior to an "8" in a
old slab if you subscribe to this belief).

Personally I stick with the tried-and-true approach...buy the card, not the slab.

ToneD

My belief is that you can find over and under graded cards from all time periods. However, I do believe that today's standards are overall stricter than earlier years.

MULLINS5

I understand the half-grade idea. Makes total sense. I do remember quite a few listings, however, advertising "old labels" prior to the half-grade induction. I think the general argument, from sellers, is that those cards have a better chance to bump under review or to crack and resubmit.

Personally, I don't like the bump "game" and/or "gamble" which is what it is.

As far as standards, I do think they have gotten higher on certain cards, years and issues over time, which would, at least in my mind, make old flips likely bump-able.

But I don't think they ever had low standards...they're just getting higher, which I think is a good thing for the hobby.

slum22

Yes, the bump idea makes sense to me. Fair enough. I figured there must have been a fairly easy reasoning. Of course, you can find over and undergraded examples with any TPG and in any era of slabs, but I do feel like PSA has tightened a little based on examples I have seen.

grote15

In my experience, PSA is tougher on centering now than they used to be.

gemint

<< <i>
Personally I stick with the tried-and-true approach...buy the card, not the slab. >>



This^

A lot depends on which grader was assigned to the card in question, regardless of era. PSA may be somewhat more strict these days but that varies from grader to grader and sub to sub. We all went through grader of death subs in the early '00s. One thing I can say about old label cards is there was a lot more unopened product back then, so I think there are more pack fresh cards residing in those holders than newer ones, particularly when it comes to pre-1970 cards. However, I always take the above advice and pass on lousy looking examples and bid strong for high end ones.

mattinglymint23

<< <i>In my experience, PSA is tougher on centering now than they used to be. >>



I agree Grote. See this a lot in earlier graded 1975 Topps baseball in my experience.

JBrules

I always think about profit when it comes to PSA grading. I have no real evidence to support this other than never having received a .5 grade on a submission. All mine have come back as whole grades. Keep in mind I have not submitted that many cards. I would think that graders are unlikely to give .5 grades the first time around and wait for someone to submit again for the .5 bump to get more money. I think you have a better chance of the .5 bump by resubmitting as a review opposed to crack and resubmit. If looking for a full grade or more bump I would think crack it out and submit. It would be interesting to be in the meetings that the graders have with their bosses and hear what they talk about. I am probably over thinking the whole process but making money is the bottom line.

MULLINS5

<< <i>I always think about profit when it comes to PSA grading. I have no real evidence to support this other than never having received a .5 grade on a submission. All mine have come back as whole grades. Keep in mind I have not submitted that many cards. I would think that graders are unlikely to give .5 grades the first time around and wait for someone to submit again for the .5 bump to get more money. I think you have a better chance of the .5 bump by resubmitting as a review opposed to crack and resubmit. If looking for a full grade or more bump I would think crack it out and submit. It would be interesting to be in the meetings that the graders have with their bosses and hear what they talk about. I am probably over thinking the whole process but making money is the bottom line. >>



Sent in well over 100 1989 Topps Hockey cards and didn't get one single .5 over multiple submissions. I didn't even recognize it until someone here casually brought it up in the thread where I shared the results. Started getting a few .5s after that