PSA Grading Scale Explained (PSA 1–10)
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) grades trading cards on a 10-point numeric scale, where every card is independently authenticated and assigned a grade from PSA 10 (Gem Mint) down to PSA 1 (Poor). The grade reflects the card's centering, corners, edges, and surface. Below is what each PSA grade means.
PSA Grades 10 to 1
| Grade | Label | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | Gem Mint | A virtually perfect card with four sharp corners, sharp focus, and full original gloss. Free of staining with only the slightest printing imperfections, if any. |
| PSA 9 | Mint | A superb condition card that exhibits only one minor flaw: a very slight wax stain on reverse, a minor printing imperfection, or slightly off-white borders. |
| PSA 8 | Near Mint-Mint | A super high-end card that appears Mint at first glance but upon closer inspection may reveal a minor flaw such as a slight wax stain or minor printing imperfection. |
| PSA 7 | Near Mint | A card with just slight surface wear noticeable upon close inspection. There may be slight fraying on some corners and picture focus may be slightly out of register. |
| PSA 6 | Excellent-Mint | A card with slight surface wear and minor printing imperfections. May have light rounding of corners and slight fraying on edges. |
| PSA 5 | Excellent | A card with moderate surface wear including light rounding of corners, minor chipping on edges, and noticeable printing imperfections. |
| PSA 4 | Very Good-Excellent | A card with noticeable surface wear and moderate corner wear. Light scuffing or surface scratches may be present. |
| PSA 3 | Very Good | A card that shows obvious handling with rounded corners, light creasing, and moderate surface wear. |
| PSA 2 | Good | A card with significant surface wear including heavy creasing, rounded corners, and possible staining. |
| PSA 1 | Poor | A card with severe wear, heavy creasing, heavy staining, or major damage. |
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