Card GradingGet the appPSA 9 and PSA 10 are different official grades, even when two cards appear similar in a listing photo. Tiny condition issues can be hard to see in images. Before submitting, examine the physical card and read the grading company’s current standards.
What PSA’s published standards say
PSA calls grade 10 Gem Mint and grade 9 Mint. Its current Gem Mint description considers corners, image quality, original gloss, staining, and centering. The stated centering limits are approximately 55/45 on the front and 75/25 on the back, with judgment reserved for overall appearance.
Read PSA’s official grading standards for the complete requirements. Centering alone cannot establish a grade.
How to read 55/45 centering
A 55/45 split means one of two opposing borders makes up 55% of their combined width and the other 45%. Measure left versus right separately from top versus bottom. For example, borders of 11 and 9 pixels total 20 pixels, producing 55% and 45%.
Use a straight-on image with visible borders. A tilted camera can exaggerate one side, and borderless designs may not provide a reliable reference. Repeat the inspection on the back instead of inferring its balance from the front.
See illustrated examples of the four condition areas →
The details a flat photo can hide
| Area | Inspect | Why another look helps |
|---|---|---|
| Corners | Front and back of all four corners | A small white spot may be visible only on the back. |
| Edges | Chipping, uneven cuts, or compression | Glare can hide a small indentation. |
| Surface | Scratches, lines, stains, dents, creases | Moving reflected light can reveal marks absent in a flat photo. |
| Centering | Both axes on both sides | Camera angle can distort apparent border widths. |
Two useful inspection scenarios
Balanced borders with a suspicious surface mark
If the borders look balanced but a thin line appears on the front, inspect it under changing light. Check whether the line belongs to the holder or the card. A favorable centering measurement does not resolve an uncertain surface issue.
A sharp front with back-corner whitening
If the front looks clean but a white spot appears on a back corner, document it in your condition notes. Inspect the corner itself before deciding it is just glare. Your submission decision should account for the entire card.
Is a PSA 10 always worth more than a PSA 9?
There is no universal price multiplier. Compare recent completed sales for the same card, version, and grade. Scarcity and buyer demand can change the price gap. Use our grading-cost calculator with more than one outcome before spending on a submission.
Can Card Grading predict PSA’s decision?
The app provides an independent AI condition estimate. It does not issue a PSA grade or guarantee how PSA will assess a physical card. Use the result to guide your own review and follow the four-area inspection checklist before sending a card away.
Check your card with Card Grading
Scan the front and back for an AI condition estimate, then review your submission decision.
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