Collectors who ever wondered why their card didn’t receive a PSA 10 will now be able to find out. Beginning today, PSA is rolling out Grader Notes in an effort to detail the card defects detected during grading and authentication for trading cards.
INTRODUCING: Grader Notes
We’re bringing clarity to grade reveals, detailing the card defects detected during authentication & grading.
Effective for orders received after June 14, Grader Notes are included with Express-level submissions and above.
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Grader Notes can only be used for cards submitted Express or higher. PSA’s initial rollout is relegated for trading cards for grading, dual-service, crossover, and review services.
“For all the flaws that can foil a PSA 10 outcome, Grader Notes are ready to show and tell from the moment that grades are revealed,” says PSA. “Card by card, submitters can navigate primary categories (like corners, edges, surface, and centering) to see applicable defects annotated in greater detail by the card’s grader.”
Examples of Grader Notes include:
- Corners: Bend, Top Left
- Edges: Fraying, Center Right
- Surface: Discoloration, Front, Top Half
- Centering: Back, Top-to-Bottom
Collectors have been clamoring for greater transparency as to how PSA grades their cards and where the defects were detected. The difference between a PSA 9 and a PSA 10 can easily be in the thousands to tens of thousands for high-end cards.
PSA is the first grading company to offer a Grader Notes service for trading cards. Beckett Grading Services uses sub-categories on its slab for centering, corners, edges and surface.
Reholder services and autograph-only submissions are currently ineligible for Grader Notes.
It’s not known if Grader Notes will expand below the Express service.
Click here for more information.