Card Grading Scale | ISA Grading (2024)

FAQs

How does card grading scale work? ›

Grading means a third-party company establishes a numerical value of the card based upon its condition. The four conditions used for grading are the quality of the surface, sharpness of corners, crispness and sharpness of edges and how well the image on the card itself is centered, front and back.

determining whether or not a card is worth grading requires careful consideration of multiple factors. Evaluating the rarity, condition, potential return on investment, rarity of graded cards, long-term perspective, and the reputation of the grading service are all vital aspects to weigh.

A+, A, A- indicates excellent performance. B+, B, B- indicates good performance. C+, C, C- indicates satisfactory performance. D+, D, D- indicates less than satisfactory performance.

Half Point Grades

Cards that exhibit high-end qualities within each particular grade, between PSA Good 2 and PSA Mint 9, may achieve a half-point increase.

Achieving a PSA 10 requires impeccable centering, sharp corners, pristine edges, and flawless surfaces. Even the tiniest imperfection, such as a printing flaw or a minor scratch, can lead to a lower grade. These stringent grading standards contribute to the scarcity of PSA 10 cards.

A Beckett 9.5 grade indicates that the card is in near-mint to mint condition, with only minor flaws that can be detected upon close examination. What is this? To determine the grade, Beckett considers several factors such as the card's centering, corners, edges, and surface.

The scarcity of these cards in perfect condition, coupled with the high demand from fans and collectors, drives the value to astronomical levels. In some cases, the difference in value between a PSA 9 and a PSA 10 graded card can be tenfold or more.

The investment in authentication and security adds to the overall cost of the grading process. Time and Labor: The process of grading trading cards is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task.

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

PSA, also known as Professional Sports Authenticator, is undoubtedly one of the leading card grading companies in 2023. With their expertise and reputation, PSA has become the go-to choice for collectors and enthusiasts.

What are letter grades and how do they convert into percentages? Common examples of grade conversion are: A+ (97–100), A (93–96), A- (90–92), B+ (87–89), B (83–86), B- (80–82), C+ (77–79), C (73–76), C- (70–72), D+ (67–69), D (65–66), D- (below 65).

Is a 66 an F? ›

You'll usually need to receive a letter grade between A and D to pass a class, often the numerical equivalent of 65 percent or higher. Receiving an F—which stands for “fail”—indicates that you did not pass the class. The cutoff to receive an F is usually 64 percent.

Most likely not, unless you're aiming for highly competitive schools, where even a single B might stand out amongst applicants with perfect GPAs. That being said, admissions committees also take into account factors beyond just your grades, such as extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters.

PSA gradings from to 6 to 10 are all considered mint condition (to higher or lesser degrees), and the characteristics distinguishing them are few in number; only slight deterioration in card gloss, enamel, and corners differentiate a PSA 6 from a PSA 10.

PSA will not grade cards that have been altered or tampered with in any way. This includes cards that have been trimmed, re-colored, or had their surfaces altered. The integrity of the card is of utmost importance to PSA, and any signs of alteration will result in the card being deemed ineligible for grading.

Typical Price Ranges for Card Grading

For example, the cost for grading a modern (post-1972) sports card valued at $100 through PSA ranges from $20 for the regular service to $300 for the super express service with a 2-day turnaround.

The scarcity of these cards in perfect condition, coupled with the high demand from fans and collectors, drives the value to astronomical levels. In some cases, the difference in value between a PSA 9 and a PSA 10 graded card can be tenfold or more.

A telephone card graded 7 will have slightly visible wear on some edges and corners. The card should retain most of its original color and gloss, though the print pattern may be fuzzy. Visible wear or printing defects may be present on the card's surface, along with traces of topping up or stains on the reverse.

A PSA 10 card is a virtually perfect card. Attributes include four perfectly sharp corners, sharp focus and full original gloss. A PSA 10 card must be free of staining of any kind, but an allowance may be made for a slight printing imperfection, if it doesn't impair the overall appeal of the card.

The question of whether PSA cards are worth more than Beckett cards is subjective and depends on various factors. While Beckett's strict grading standards and market influence have contributed to the perceived value of BGS cards, PSA's popularity and higher demand in the resale market cannot be ignored.