Printing Blemishes and Maximum Grade

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I've been trying to pin down what kinds of blemish defects are allowable for different PSA grades. Referring to the PSA grading standards, both PSA 8 and PSA 9 allow for a "minor printing imperfection." PSA 7 allows for a "minor printing blemish." My only problem is: what's the difference between an imperfection and a blemish?

For example, I guess a fish-eye like this is only an imperfection:

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On the other hand, I picked up this raw 1971 Lee Maye at the last Westchester show for $8:

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It appears to be a solid 8, only there is a minor "pimple" (raised blemish) in the background sky (upper right, barely visible in scan). Would this keep it out of an 8 holder? To me it's way less offensive than a white fish-eye on the black border.

Interested in opinions.

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  • bking
    bking Posts: 3,095 ✭✭
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    << <i>Interested in opinions. >>



    If your saying that the "raised dimple" is where the card surface is raised, then that's gonna hurt the card more than a fisheye in my experience. I think that's a stupid thing, but I have a small but growing stack of gorgeous cards that I bought raw only to find they have a VERY minor dent or pimple that is only noticeable when held at an angle. Why a visible PD is more accepted than that is beyond me.
    ----------------------
    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
  • bobbybakeriv
    bobbybakeriv Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭
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    I've cards like that come back a 5 on many occasions. It seems ridiculous to me as well.
  • PaulMaul
    PaulMaul Posts: 5,024 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    No one has any firm information clarifying PSA's grading practices in this regard? Or is it one of those things where it depends on the day and the grader's mood?
  • shu4040
    shu4040 Posts: 982 ✭✭✭
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    How are you guys using the term fish eyed? what does that mean exactly?
  • PaulMaul
    PaulMaul Posts: 5,024 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I think "fish eye" is a printing term for an error like the one on the '71 Tony Taylor shown above. If not, it's something similar to that.
  • bking
    bking Posts: 3,095 ✭✭
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    << <i>I think "fish eye" is a printing term for an error like the one on the '71 Tony Taylor shown above. If not, it's something similar to that. >>



    Correct - located on the right border near the red stripe in his pants. It's a circle of missing or improper color, making it look like an eye.
    ----------------------
    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