PSA's new centering standards and the PSA 10.

[RKH916]

Don't think I saw a thread on this, but they've amended their centering standards for a 10 to 55/45 front (75/25 reverse).

I've opined in the past that it has always bothered me seeing a card in a slab that was clearly off center labelled a PSA 10. This has not been an infrequent occurrence either, but rather common.

After the influx of the flipperboi investor bros into the market, and the damage to BGS' reputation helped overinflate the PSA 10 value, it always made much more sense to me to buy BGS 9.5's for what are now IMO bargain prices (plus the fact that the slabs are much nicer)

But... what does this change mean for the wider PSA 10 market? Basic sentiment around the community is that a PSA 10 is now significantly harder to come by.

And yet there are years worth of obviously-not-a-10 cards sitting in PSA 10 slabs

Will people realize that they've been paying a premium for a number printed on a label as opposed to the card itself? Will a BGS 9.5 close the gap in value and return to historical pricing differences? Or will the PSA 10 premium only continue to grow?

Confusing times

FYI:

Originally Posted by PSA Gem Mint 10

The image must be centered on the card within a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 percent on the front, and 75/25 percent on the reverse.

Originally Posted by BGS Pristine 10

Centering: 50/50 all around on front. 60/40 or better on back.

Originally Posted by BGS Gem Mint 9.5

Centering: 50/50 one way, 55/45 the other on front. 60/40 or better on back

Originally Posted by BGS Mint 9

Centering: 55/45 both ways on front. 70/30 or better on back.

[phdbeckett]

I just got a 100 card order, where only 10 were 10s. But these are 1990s Jordan's, so maybe people will look at certs over 103500000 will be more desirable? Also, 9s would seem better value. I sell my 10s and keep 9s, so this will be interesting to see the market reaction.

[STLtoMN]

while i would agree that it should be 55/45.... consistency is key so i am not a fan of this change. Also, what happens to orders in flux? I think i have 6 orders currently there and may not have sent every card given the new criteria

[JohnnyHatesJazz]

PSA has been in the game a long time. It's 2025 and they're still trying to figure out their psa 10 standards.

[boxbuster7]

what was it before 60/40?

Anybody that pays a premium for psa 10 aside from flipping it needs to have their head checked

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

what was it before 60/40?

Anybody that pays a premium for psa 10 aside from flipping it needs to have their head checked

Appreciate that

[kipgen]

This is their way of doing pop control and discouraging submissions

I'll be going with Beckett for the foreseeable future, their gem rates have been climbing because they want more people submitting with them

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Appreciate that

That one was for you

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

That one was for you

I don’t believe you

I think you meant what you said

Which is fine. It’s stupid. You can have an opinion though

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by asujbl

I don’t believe you

I think you meant what you said

Which is fine. It’s stupid. You can have an opinion though

Of course I meant it

why would I say it otherwise?

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

Of course I meant it

why would I say it otherwise?

Fair

It’s still stupid. I meant that

So carry on

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by kipgen

This is their way of doing pop control and discouraging submissions

I'll be going with Beckett for the foreseeable future, their gem rates have been climbing because they want more people submitting with them

A 3rd party grader giving out better grades to attract more business? Sounds like something Beckett would do.

They still giving out BLs to 'ol Eagle Eye?

[nbahobbyaddict]

Originally Posted by RKH916

Will people realize that they've been paying a premium for a number printed on a label as opposed to the card itself?

The hobby is full of sheep. If it hasn’t happened by now, don’t hold your breath.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by Asian62150

A 3rd party grader giving out better grades to attract more business? Sounds like something Beckett would do.

They still giving out BLs to 'ol Eagle Eye?

ya and psa hasn't had any scandals

[RKH916]

OK, this is hilarious



http://www.psasux.com

[auburn35]

That is pretty funny. Thanks for the share

[RKH916]

Well... three months later and the general gap between a PSA 10 and the competition has only increased

The gap between a PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 on most of the cards I watch is now at an all time high, with zero justification. I assume this is largely because the influx of new flippers only recognize the grades as numbers, and 10 > 9.5, while PSA is also synonymous to the younger audience with grading, and "PSA 10" being synonymous with peak.

Obviously to us, though, a 9.5 is GEM MINT. This is still observed in pop reports, with a 9.5 being statistically equivalent to a PSA 10.

From a collector (note: not flipper or investor) perspective, you'd be almost insane to purchase a PSA 10 > a BGS 9.5 for almost double the cost. Especially 90's - Mid-2010's.

Moreover, an "investor" might right now see the 9.5's apparently depreciating value as an opportunity, insofar as millions of the newer audience might wake up to the fact that there is effectively no real difference between a 9.5 and a 10 - in my eyes the biggest differences being the BGS slab looks better, and it actually gives an indication through subgrades the state of the card

[the mesiah]

If only we lived in a world where people would buy the card and not the grade ..

[bmf]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHatesJazz

PSA has been in the game a long time. It's 2025 and they're still trying to figure out their psa 10 standards.

Yup, it's the same old song and dance over and over again. There goes any premium for the old PSA 10 labels. But you will still have endless mindless collectors continue to pay top dollar to PSA. And PSA well knows this, so they continue to play collectors like a fiddle.

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by RKH916

Well... three months later and the general gap between a PSA 10 and the competition has only increased

The gap between a PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 on most of the cards I watch is now at an all time high, with zero justification. I assume this is largely because the influx of new flippers only recognize the grades as numbers, and 10 > 9.5, while PSA is also synonymous to the younger audience with grading, and "PSA 10" being synonymous with peak.

Obviously to us, though, a 9.5 is GEM MINT. This is still observed in pop reports, with a 9.5 being statistically equivalent to a PSA 10.

From a collector (note: not flipper or investor) perspective, you'd be almost insane to purchase a PSA 10 > a BGS 9.5 for almost double the cost. Especially 90's - Mid-2010's.

Moreover, an "investor" might right now see the 9.5's apparently depreciating value as an opportunity, insofar as millions of the newer audience might wake up to the fact that there is effectively no real difference between a 9.5 and a 10 - in my eyes the biggest differences being the BGS slab looks better, and it actually gives an indication through subgrades the state of the card

The bigger that difference becomes, the more 9.5's will be cracked and submitted to PSA. At least the ones with 9.5's subs across the board. Something with a 9.0 on centering or corners likely won't cross.

Sadly, PSA is really becoming the only game in town for sports cards. I just wish their labels weren't so plain.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by RKH916

Well... three months later and the general gap between a PSA 10 and the competition has only increased

The gap between a PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 on most of the cards I watch is now at an all time high, with zero justification. I assume this is largely because the influx of new flippers only recognize the grades as numbers, and 10 > 9.5, while PSA is also synonymous to the younger audience with grading, and "PSA 10" being synonymous with peak.

Obviously to us, though, a 9.5 is GEM MINT. This is still observed in pop reports, with a 9.5 being statistically equivalent to a PSA 10.

From a collector (note: not flipper or investor) perspective, you'd be almost insane to purchase a PSA 10 > a BGS 9.5 for almost double the cost. Especially 90's - Mid-2010's.

Moreover, an "investor" might right now see the 9.5's apparently depreciating value as an opportunity, insofar as millions of the newer audience might wake up to the fact that there is effectively no real difference between a 9.5 and a 10 - in my eyes the biggest differences being the BGS slab looks better, and it actually gives an indication through subgrades the state of the card

Rude.

[patchgenie]

Originally Posted by RKH916

Well... three months later and the general gap between a PSA 10 and the competition has only increased

The gap between a PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 on most of the cards I watch is now at an all time high, with zero justification. I assume this is largely because the influx of new flippers only recognize the grades as numbers, and 10 > 9.5, while PSA is also synonymous to the younger audience with grading, and "PSA 10" being synonymous with peak.

Obviously to us, though, a 9.5 is GEM MINT. This is still observed in pop reports, with a 9.5 being statistically equivalent to a PSA 10.

From a collector (note: not flipper or investor) perspective, you'd be almost insane to purchase a PSA 10 > a BGS 9.5 for almost double the cost. Especially 90's - Mid-2010's.

Moreover, an "investor" might right now see the 9.5's apparently depreciating value as an opportunity, insofar as millions of the newer audience might wake up to the fact that there is effectively no real difference between a 9.5 and a 10 - in my eyes the biggest differences being the BGS slab looks better, and it actually gives an indication through subgrades the state of the card

yeah, but what if you want to score some cool points?

[MJGOAT23]

Originally Posted by RKH916

Well... three months later and the general gap between a PSA 10 and the competition has only increased

The gap between a PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 on most of the cards I watch is now at an all time high, with zero justification. I assume this is largely because the influx of new flippers only recognize the grades as numbers, and 10 > 9.5, while PSA is also synonymous to the younger audience with grading, and "PSA 10" being synonymous with peak.

Obviously to us, though, a 9.5 is GEM MINT. This is still observed in pop reports, with a 9.5 being statistically equivalent to a PSA 10.

From a collector (note: not flipper or investor) perspective, you'd be almost insane to purchase a PSA 10 > a BGS 9.5 for almost double the cost. Especially 90's - Mid-2010's.

Moreover, an "investor" might right now see the 9.5's apparently depreciating value as an opportunity, insofar as millions of the newer audience might wake up to the fact that there is effectively no real difference between a 9.5 and a 10 - in my eyes the biggest differences being the BGS slab looks better, and it actually gives an indication through subgrades the state of the card

I'd say this may be true for Prizm type cards, and ones with 9 centering should still cross OK, but the difference is that most 80's and 90's and pre prizm cards in a BGS 9.5 holder are really just nice PSA 9's because of the whitening BGS still allows on a min gem and I think the market is actually realizing that. BGS 9.5 corner on a paper card can still show a minute softness or paint loss whereas a PSA 10 is exceedingly intolerant of such.

[kipgen]

I cracked my (three) cards that I had still in BGS holders and plan on resubmitting to PSA. I don't think the market respects BGS all that much at this point. A PSA 9 creeps closer to a BGS 9.5 every day.

[Nomad]

Exceeding intolerance is a good basis for splitting hairs. Why is so much energy focused on minute differences often not even visible to the human eye.