Centering on the Back of the Card
brad31
Posts: 2,853 ✭✭✭✭✭
Is there a criteria of a maximum grade based on how the card back is centered? This card is on EBay and is a PSA 9. I have a Mantle/Berra PSA 7.5 that looks amazing on the front. I always thought the fact the back is centered like this is what kept it from an 8.
In 1955 Bowman (which I am working on getting all of the HOF) have found some 8s that actually have a small part of the next card on the back.
Is this something PSA has gotten more lenient on?
What are your thoughts on this. I usually will not buy a card if I do not like the centering on the back. The forementioned Mantle/Berra is my only exception. Maybe this is something that bothers me but not most people.
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Comments
According to PSA's listed grading standards on their website, a Mint 9 card can have back centering of 90/10 or better. This card appears to be about 85/15 or so, so it technically meets their stated criteria. (Unfortunately, I don't know if PSA has been more lenient or not over time in interpreting back grading in regards to the card's overall grade.)
Like you, though, I do care what the back of the card looks like. I'm far more forgiving on the back centering, but my limit is about 75/25. If you have to squint to see if there's a border on one side, that card's not going in my collection. (Unless it's one I really need!)
Thanks for the comments. By the way I believe my '57 Mantle/Berra 7.5 is graded correctly. Would not have bought that card at an 8 price with the poor back centering. Will look at the grading specifications to see what they say about back centering for other grades.
Had never realized it was the same across all grades except Gem.
In my opinion PSA often misses looking closely at the backs. I sent in two cards with "wrong" backs (different players stats) and PSA missed it, even though I listed them as "wrongback" cards.