What Cards Will PSA Not Grade?

Hey there fellow trading card enthusiast! As collectors, we all dream of the day we can rip open that smooth PSA slab to reveal our card enclosure with the prized Gem Mint 10 designation. But earning one of those iconic black PSA 10 labels is tough. Real tough. PSA sets an incredibly high bar for pristine condition and authenticity.

In this guide from one collector to another, I’ll breakdown everything you need to know about PSA’s strict grading policies and what flaws can stop your cards from earning those coveted numeric grades.

A Quick Intro to PSA Grading

First, let’s do a quick overview of the PSA grading scale that collectors know and love:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint – A practically flawless card. The creme de la creme!

• PSA 9 Mint – A superb card with only the tiniest flaws. Near perfection.

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint – An excellent high-end card with great eye appeal.

• PSA 7 Near Mint – A great looking card with minor flaws. The gateway to “Near Mint” PSA grades.

The PSA scale continues down through PSA 1 “Poor” condition. But I think we can all agree, only PSA 7 and above are considered truly desirable grades for serious collectors.

Earning these high PSA grades is no cakewalk though. PSA sets very high standards for authenticating that a card is genuine and grading its physical condition. If PSA doesn’t like what they see, kiss that high grade goodbye!

The “No Grade” Designation

Nothing hurts more than seeing your prized cards come back from PSA graders only to get slapped with the dreaded “No Grade” label. It means PSA deemed your card too flawed or damaged to put their prestigious numeric grade and seal of approval on it. Ouch!

According to PSA, here are some of the conditions that can earn your card the No Grade kiss of death:

Trimming – This is when someone has cut or shaved the edges of the card to remove rough edges or enhance centering. Even just 1/16 of an inch gets you denied!

Re-coloring – If chemicals or coloring have been used to alter the original colors of the card, PSA won’t be happy.

Restoration – Any kind of enhancement like removing creases, tears or residue. PSA wants cards in their unaltered natural state.

Questionable Authenticity – If PSA believes the card may be counterfeit, forged or otherwise not genuine, forget it.

Altered Stock – If the card stock seems doctored or different from when it was originally produced.

Cleaning – Evidence of chemicals, solvents or cleaning agents used on the card will make PSA shut you down.

PSA has a zero tolerance policy on collectors trying to artificially enhance their cards. As the premier grading authority, they need to certify cards are in their true original condition. No exceptions!

Types of Cards That Won’t Make the PSA Grade

Through evaluating thousands of card submissions, PSA has identified some specific types of problematic cards they just won’t grade:

• Forged or counterfeit cards – Don’t even think about sending fakes to get slabbed. PSA can spot them a mile away!

• Cards with heavy staining or discoloration – Minor issues may get a qualifier, but heavy stains from environmental exposure are a no-go.

• Cards with severe print defects – Misprints can have value but cards with heavy ink splotches or smearing won’t grade well.

• Cards with visible damage or alterations – Don‘t try to hide trimming, re-coloring or other changes. PSA will notice!

• Badly miscut or off-center cards – While minor centering issues may get a qualifier, PSA won’t grade cards with heavy miscuts.

Remember, PSA is grading for condition and authenticity. If a card has been too altered or is just plain ugly, don’t expect miracles.

PSA Card Qualifiers

Now if PSA sees some minor flaws but still deems your card worthy of a numeric grade, don’t expect to walk away unscathed. PSA may assign a “qualifier” along with the grade to identify issues like:

• OC – Off-center. The card is slightly miscut or improperly centered.

• ST – Stain present on the surface.

• MK – Marks. Some kind of impression or ding on the card.

These qualifiers flag noteworthy flaws for collectors, even if they aren’t severe enough to warrant the dreaded No Grade.

Just How Rare Are PSA 10s?

So what will it take to earn the vaunted PSA 10 status on your cards? Near perfection and plenty of luck! Of the many thousands or even millions of some cards produced, only a tiny fraction will ever earn the pristine PSA 10 designation. Some examples:

• The Pikachu Illustrator promo card – Only 39 copies exist and just 23 have earned PSA 10 status. Talk about exclusive company!

• 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard – This iconic card has only seen 18 PSA 10 examples out of the thousands submitted. I have a better chance of finding a shiny Charizard in packs!

• Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps rookie card – Over 5,800 have been submitted to PSA but only six, yes you read that right, just six have been deemed PSA 10 worthy.

Card	Total Submitted	PSA 10 Population
Pikachu Illustrator	39	23
1st Ed. Shadowless Charizard	2,554	18
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle	5,834	6

As you can see, earning a PSA 10 is no easy feat even for iconic cards. That tiny population of flawless specimens drives sky-high values on the auction block.

The Vintage Card Advantage

Over the years, PSA has acknowledged that newer cards in pristine shape are easier to come by than vintage cards in similar condition. They train their graders to keep the age and rarity of the card in mind when evaluating condition.

An off-center or miscut defect that may limit a new card to a PSA 9 could be grounds for a No Grade on a super rare vintage card because the standards are so much higher. This helps keep population control in check for older cards.

Of course, tampering, fraud and counterfeits get no leniency! PSA has ways of identifying reworked or doctored cards that collectors can only dream of. They take pride in keeping even vintage card grading on the straight and narrow.

How PSA Stacks Up to the Competition

When it comes to grading, collectors have choices including companies like BGS, SGC and CGC. But none carry the prestige and trust as PSA. And not all competitors share PSA‘s rigorous standards for authenticating and grading cards.

For example, CGC will encapsulate counterfeit cards with an “Authenticity Uncertified” label. But PSA won’t verify or slab any cards they believe to be fake. Remember, your PSA grade is like a certificate of authenticity.

By only grading genuine cards in their original state, PSA maintains the integrity and trust that makes their slabs so desirable to collectors and investors. No wonder PSA 10 examples fetch such huge premiums!

Spotting Reworked Cards Before Submitting

By now it should be clear – trying to fool PSA with reworks, enhancements or other artificial changes is next to impossible. Their experts can spot doctored cards a mile away!

Instead, avoid potential heartache and inspection fees by prescreening your cards carefully yourself before submitting to PSA:

• Examine the edges and surface very closely for signs of trimming, recoloring, residue orchemical treatments. Look for inconsistent printing patterns along the borders as well.

• Inspect for differences in gloss or smoothness across the surface that may indicate touch ups or brushing.

• Check for inconsistent centering on the back versus the front that may hint at trimming.

• Look closely at the card stock coloration and texture – are there signs of aging in some areas versus others that suggest alterations?

Take your time and compare the card to known examples. Anything that looks suspicious is better off kept in your collection than risking a PSA rejection.

The Thrill of Discovery: New PSA 10s Emerge

No population report stays the same forever. As more cards get submitted to PSA for grading over time, a few hidden gems occasionally emerge even for vintage issues. These coveted new PSA 10 examples can make headlines in the hobby.

For example, in 2021 a new 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 10 sent shockwaves when it appeared at auction. Just the sixth example ever certified! This card had somehow survived seven decades virtually unscathed.

Every time an iconic card like a 1st Edition Charizard or Mantle rookie gets a new PSA 10, it generates huge buzz among collectors. Will we see a sixth Gem Mint Pikachu Illustrator someday? That‘s part of the fun and thrill of collecting!

Predictions for PSA Grading in the Future

Based on submission patterns and population reports, I foresee a few trends that will impact PSA grading down the road:

• PSA 10 populations on vintage cards will remain stable or even decline as they get more difficult to find in top condition.

• Modern "GOAT" rookies and iconic cards will see steady PSA 10 population growth as collectors submit more. Prices may normalize but top examples should still command healthy premiums.

• We‘ll see a continued uptick in re-submissions as collectors crack slabs hoping for higher grades. But PSA‘s standards will hold firm.

• More mainstream investors/collectors will rely heavily on PSA and other professional grading. Raw nicer cards may drop in value compared to authenticated examples.

While anything can happen, I expect PSA to maintain their grading rigor and dominant market position for years to come!

In Closing

I hope this guide from one hobbyist to another provides helpful tips and perspective on achieving high grades with PSA. There are no shortcuts to earning those perfect PSA 10s. You need pristine unaltered cards and a dash of luck!

PSA sets the bar high for a reason – to maintain consistency and prestige for collectors. While a No Grade stings, it upholds the integrity we expect from a leading grading authority. Here’s hoping your next PSA submission returns that sought after Gem Mint label!

Thanks for reading, and may fortune favor your pulls!